ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 263, 10 December 1914, Page 9

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

IA DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE i It was '' Tschaikovvsky Night " at ithe Theatre Royal last evening. The Orchestral Society, in its fourth concert of the season, drew liberally on the works of this great Russian composer. The concert was a distinguished liniile to a brilliant season. It was well attended, though there was plenty of room in the gallery for more patrons. As the work of the society becomes better known, and the character of the concert is more popularly appreciated, there will be larger audiences. The ordinary citizen is inclined to shy at what the Americans call "highbrow art." It cannot be too often repeated that in the Orchestral Society's concerts the best works are presented in a way which provide_a lot of enjoyment for anyone with a natural love for music. The concert opened last evening with the first two movements from the Fifth Symphony" (Tscliaikowsky). This is a great and characteristic work of the composer, and it expresses very eloquently the Russian national sprit. There is a sombre undercurrent throughout, with occasional flashes of gaiety, but .always a return to melancholy. The second movement is brighter, with pretty and expressive melodies. The work gives unexampled opportunity for startling orchestral pictures, which a musician like Mr Thoriey well know T s how to employ. The interpretation was never without' interest, and the audience enjoyed to the full its infinite variety of chorus. Mr A. Barbour deserves a word of praise for his expressive rendering of the horn solo. He was not exactly tone perfect; but his work was very artistically shaded, and full of expression. The "Nutcracker" Suite presented Tscliaikowsky in quite a different mood — artistically gay and light hearted. The "Miniature Overture" was a delightful number, and the Dances'' (six) were all entertaining .and sometimes startling studies. The audience was particularly taken with the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," a very dainty and fairylike composition, in which the principal honours were shared by Mr Thoriey (at the piano) and Master Crawford (at the glockenspiel). A charming "Douce Reverie" for the strings was followed by the big piece of the evening, the "1812 Overture," commemorating Napoleon's retreat from Moscow. This is the first time the overture has been given by the society, but the performance was a distinctly impressive one. The society had the assistance of the Woolston Baud and a number of side-drummers, this uniformed contingent being effectively grouped at the back of the orchestra. The whole group did splendid work, and in the finale the effect was not short of inspiring. The strains of the Russian Hymn triumphed' over all else. The audience rose to the occasion with the most generous acknowledgment of applause that the society has yet received. The soloists for the evening were Mr H. H. Loughnan and Miss Vera A'Court. Mr Loughnan played Bach's aria for the 'cello, and interpreted it

very nicely. Miss A'Court, who is a very promising young violinist, played a legend, "Sic Transit," composed by Mr Thoriey. The performance was followed with much interest, and the legend received its meed of applause. The society and its conductor are entitled to the highest praise for the excellent work done at this concert. It was a distinguished success. Mr Thoriey had evidently taken great pains in its preparation. A noticeable and popu-

lar feature was the liberal use of tyiupani, drums, and accessories, which are very ably managed by Master C. Crawford.