AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 89, 6 July 1927, Page 15

AEOLIAN ORCHESTRA

A HAYDN SYMPHONY Last night the Aeolian Orchestra gave the second concert of its sixth season, before a moderately large audience. Mr. W. Edpr Webb, the conductor, had aimed &t sound and straightforward readings of the .various works, and probably had done his best with the material available. But in one important respect—the intonation —this, performance was much at fault. It is natural for young and ardent fiddlers to go astray in quick passages. This orchestra would be more satisfactory if its numbers were reduced. There is room, and some delightful music, for a chamber-orchestra of 20 or 30 picked players. For such a body the Haydn symphonies were written, of which a fine example—the “London”— was played last night. The committee, or whoever was responsible, should be complimented on that choice. If our other orchestras will not play Haydn, the Aeolian deserves well for its intentions. The programme included also the march from “Tannhauser,” the “Raymond” overture (Thomas), Foldings “Poupee Valsante,” and the “Pizzicato” from “Sylvia” (Delibes) all of which had good moments, and were warmly applauded. Miss Gladys Hosking sang very pleasantly, . Sibella’s “Villanella” and Phillips’s “Butterfly Wings” (a “sweet” little song). Mr. Ernesf Snell has an excellent voice. “Black Roses,” by Sibelius, was the most interesting of his songs. The accompaniments were played artistically by Miss Maida Hooker. R. J. B.