BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 253, 28 November 1914, Page 4

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Bund concerts for the months of Decern ber 1914, and January, 1915:

DECEMBER, 1914. Wednesday, 2nd:— Sydenham, Derry* s. Thursday, 3rd —Victoria Square, Wools ton. Tuesday] Bth—St. Albans, Lyttelton Marine Wednesday, 9th —Sydenham, Ist M.R.C.Y.C Thursday, 10th —Victoria Square, Derry' 8.

Wednesday, 16th—Sydenham, Woolston. „ Thursday, 17th —Victoria Square, Lyttelton

Marine. Tuesday, 22ud—St. Albans, Derry's. Thursday, 24th—Victoria Sq., Ist M.R.C.Y.C Thursday, 31st—Victoria Square, Woolston JANUARY, 1915.

Tuesday, sth—St. Albans, Ist M.R.C.Y.C. Wednesday, 6th —Sydenham, L.yttelton Marine Thursday, 7th —Victoria Square, Derry's. Wednesday, 13th —Sydenham, Woolston. Thursday, 14th —Victoria Square, Lyttelton

Marine. Tuesday, 19th—-St. Albans, Woolston. Wednesday, 20th—Sydenham, . Derry's. Thursday," 21st —Victoria Sq., Ist M.R.C.Y.C. Wednesday, 27th—Sydenham, Ist MJt.C.Y.C, Thursday, 28th —Victoria Square, Woolston

Last Sunday afternoon was not one. of the best for open-air concerts. A heavy shower lasting about an hour, accompanied with a cold wind, made it rather unpleasant, but the rain cleared off _iu time to allow the Woolston Band to give the first of a series of five municipal concerts for the Woolston Borough Council. The programme was a good one. The opening march, "8.8. & C.F." (Ord Hume), was generally good; the technical faults were with individuals mostly. For instance, the cornet solo following on the introduc- ; tion was incorrectly played. The rhythm was not good, and some of the notes were I left out and where the motif was repeated the same soloist did not play it, giving it another reading. But the second man did better. Another place was in the trio,where the semi-quaver figure appears. | This was lacking in brilliance, otherwise it was well played. The '' Hymn Varie'' was well rendered all through, in some movements the balance and blend being very fine. The Mozart selection was another good piece. The trombone as soloist was the best of the corner men, but all of the soloists in this number played their solos with considerable merit. The euphonium is deserving of praise. The inner parts were at times splendid, but they did not maintain this good standard all through. There was a distinction between the triple and quadruple rhythms, j and it was in these ever-changing metres ! that the style and standard of playing ; was lacking in uniformity. Nevertheless, I there was much good playing. The comet solo, "Distant Voices," was given with good stylo and expression, but what would make it more pleasing would be to give it due consideration regarding metrical accent and pulsation. The accompaniments in this were praiseworthy. The selection, "Classic Gems," will ever be popular, because it contains some of the choicest melodies of the greatest musicians of the world. It was the best musical performance of the day. I The programme forwarded for consideration by the Woolston Band for the next concert at Victoria Square, on December 11, is as follows: —March, "8.8. & C.F." (Hume); grand selection, "(Jems of Chopin" (arr. Win. Short, L.R.A.M.); cornet polka, "Titania" (soloist, I*. Reeves); Indian intermezzo, "Silver Bells" (P. Wenrich): selection. "Scotland for Ever" (Hume'i: cornet, solo, "The Absentminded Beggar" (Sir A. Sullivan),'

(By "MAESTRO.")

AT WANGANUI

specially arranged'by a local ■ musician interested'in bands (soloist, R. Barber); inarch, "Legion of Honour".. (Hall). So far, I have not received the programme ' for Derry 's,*" who are down to play at Sydenham on Wednesday, December 2. This band may be relied on to put on some good music. Their first contribution was a good one.

The Wanganui Garrison Band gave the lihal concert of the winter season in the Opera House last Sunday, and met with great success. Included in the programme was their masterpiece, written by Alex. Owen, viz., the "Heroic" selection. This is one of the most difficult band pieces on record, and this fine combination is said to have delighted its audience with a magnificent performance of same. THE C.Y.C. BAND.

The concert given by this band on Thursday night at Victoria Square was very fair. It was an ideal night from a playing point of view,'' 'being the best since Derry's opened the season a month ago. -There was a large concourse of people who listened attentively all through the programme. A few remarks on the playing are appended: — March, "Expedition," not clear and precise in attack, especially in the altos and tenors; then intonation faulty; the episode leading to trio by bass not decisive. The general rendering was lacking in character. "Sylvan Glade," ensemble poor and untuneful; the accompaniments were indecisive at entry to cornet solo. Soloist fair, but could do with a little -more individuality. The allegro very good, the three-four movement also meritorious. The next movement showed good playing and smart attack. The bass solo at the end would have been good if the tone had been sustained. The selection, "Songs of the Nations,'' opened with good attack. "Hearts of Oak" was hardly solid enough; the tone should be more compact. "St. Patricks' Day" had a good swing. "The Marseillaise" was fair, but was lacking in character. The interlude by the horns was very nicely given. The "Russian Anthem," played as a solo by the trombone, had* much merit in it, having a very good quality of tone and sympathy, but the phrasing was not always correct. The tutti was fair, but the tone of the band fell away. "Yankee Doodle" right rhythm, but not so good in technique. The ensemble following was generally good. The "Garibaldi War Song" was too tame. More life was wanted. In "See the Conquering Hero Comes," the band did not grip the bold music, and as in other martial strains the tone fell away, and the rhythm was loose at | the finale. "Rio Grande," a cornet solo, was ployed with good tone and style, but there were defects in the rhythm and metrical accent. The "March Two-step" was rather rough, and tone not compact. The bass did not grip the solo sufficiently, and there were some wrong notes played at the da capo. "She Sells Sea Shells' was com-j mendably played, though at E the' parts were not at all nicely interwoven, ; and sounded patchy. "Will you sing j this glee?" etc., was much too quick,; giving it the effect of a gallop. The j cornet solo was very good. "The, Dance" was generally good, also the "Defenders" march. The band should be able to improve on this performance.