ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 143, 23 July 1914, Page 9

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

SECOND CONCERT.

The second concert of the season given - by the Christchurch Orchestral Society, in the Theatre Royal last evening was quite a successful affair. The society is always sure of a good audience, and the audience is reasonably certain of a good concert. There was a large attendance, in spite of the frosty air outside, and the freezing chamber inside. It is hoped that before next winter the proprietors of the Theatre Royal will do their plain duty to the public, and instal some system- of heating. The first half of the concert last evening dragged slightly. Mozart's "Symphony in D" (No. 08) was well played, the strings particularly doing excellent work throughout. The adagio and allegro movements were perhaps less satisfactory than the andante and finale, as there was more than a suspicion of listlessness in their treatment. The andante was admirably and skilfulLy interpreted, ami the presto finale was bright and sparkling. The second big item was a composition by Mr Walter Handel Thorley himself, entitled '' Macbeth.'' A programme note explained that the work might be regarded as belonging to the order of symphonic poems,-" although it is more developed and symphonic in character than is usually exacted from an assumption of this title." The symphony, as ait impression of Shakespeare's tragedy, was probably beyond the comprehension of the great majority of the audience, in spite of the' fact that programme notes were liberally provided. The task which Mr Thorley had set himself was a supremely difficult one, and 1 hough he had contrived to give his composition ait atmosphere of tragedy, aud had certainly invested it with some 1 dramatic, power, its connection with' "Macbeth" was rather obscure. The audience was much better entertained in the second part. This opened with Schubert's famous "Marche Militaire," which was .given with fine precision and effect. The symphonic poem, "Finlandia" (Sibelius), which had been included by request, was also very well done. When this composition was first presented the critic for this journal reproved the brasses for their undue enthusiasm. There was a distinct improvement last evening, but the brasses were still far too heavy. They seemed to forget that there were other instruments in the orchestra, and that these instruments were entitled to be heard. The Finnish national melody on which the work is constructed was most sympathetically, and really beautifully, played, and the performance 011 the whole was a very creditable one. An encore was asked for by a part of the audience, but Mr Thorley indicated that time would not permit of the request beino- complied with. . "The Death of Ase," from the "Peer Gynt" suite, for strings alone, was one of the most successful items of the evening. It was unfortunate that a passing taxi put in an inharmonious blast just as the Touchin finale was reached, and rathei spoiled the effect. The concluding number was the overture from ''William Tell," which was given with any amount of vigour and sparkle. Cor Anglais solo was played by Mr (t. Bonnington, and the flautist covered himself with glory through the facility with which he played the airy embellishments. The work of the orchestra throughout the concert reached a high standard. A good balance has been established, and generally speaking it is maintained. Some of the brasses are weak, notably the horu, which failed badly 011 quite a number of occasions last evening. However, the orchestra has progressed in efficiency since its last appearance, and with more practice and training it should do even better at its next concert.

The soloist for the evening was Miss Daisy Parsons. Her first essay was the ambitious aria, "Iloberto, o tu che adoro" (Meyerbeer), in which she was far from being happily suited. The high notes were indifferently taken, and the aria was not treated in the easy and graceful style which is so essential if a good reading is to be given. Miss Parsons did much better in miK-h sim pier work. She has a pleasing voice, and is probably more of a nuv./.o than a soprano. The accompanist was Mrs J. K. Rus sell, who carried out her duties with her usual etliciency.