FINE RECITAL

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1935, Page 9

FINE RECITAL

STRADHOLME ORCHESTRA WORK. TALENTED- YOUNGPERFORMERS. A recital was given by the Stradholme Orchestra under the baton of Miss Evelyn L. Dowling in ! 'St. Mary’s Hall, New Plymouth, last night. The performance was thoroughly appreciated and although perhaps there was at times some delay between the items, it was significant that the concert was sufficiently enjoyable to .keep the audience interested. The programme opened with a series of three numbers by the junior orchestra. Gavottes by Lully and Handel were followed by a Handel march. The rendering of these pieces was charming and a convincing demonstration of what children correctly taught are capable. P. Williams followed with a boy-soprano solo, “The Swallows” and further enhanced his reputation by his confident handling of this delicate little air. A selected sextette played two compositions by Couperin, for strings and piano, and managed the rather difficult quick movements in convincing style. A delightful feature of the programme was a series of six dances by the small pupils of Mrs. Stonnell. “Iphigenie” was a classic dance. A Chopin waltz provided the accompaniment to a series of rhythmic exercises. Rosemary Wiggins, a fair-haired little person in scarlet and green, won the hearts of all in her “Rose Elf” dance, for which she was enthusiastically applauded. “The Clown” dance by M. Wiggins and 3. Stonnell was scarcely less popular and the final one, Hungarian Dance, by the whole ballet was a rousing conclusion to a good exhibition of juvenile dicing. Purcell’s “Golden” sonata was contributed by J. Stevenson and R. Brinsley with C. Nodder at the piano. The last-named was responsible for a confident and spirited rendering of the popular “Marche Militaire” arranged in a somewhat more intricate manner than is usual. The player, however, surmounted the technical difficulties to such effect that he was able to give the composition that touch of light and shade which it usually lacks. The second half of the programme was devoted to Haydn’s Symphony in D, played by the full orchestra. The performance of. the work -cannot be too highly ■praised) and showed evidence of much practice and meticulous attention to detail in technique. ; Miss Dowling managed •the conducting very well. The most praiseworthy feature of the orchestra was the confident and busi-ness-like way in which the junior members set to work. Even allowing for the fact that there were adult players of some experience to hold the parts together, it was a real pleasure to see the children performing so well. ’ The orchestra was as follows: Violins, J. Aburn, B. Broome, J. Joll, J. Stevenson,, L. Fox, M. Fox, B. Aburn, W. Richardson, L. Avery, A. Duxfield, W. Collins, D. Sandford, P. Hopkinson, M. Bent; violas, R. Brinsley, R. Aburn, H. Lattamer; ’cellos, J. Fredric, G. Preacher, A. Aburn, L. Bent; double bass, C. Nodder; flutes, J. Carter, D. Swadling; oboes, H. C. Fox, K. Kirkby; clarinets, D. Rawson, W. Green; bassoons, F. Foden, S. Lord, J. Cooper; horns, F. Baker, J. Ewington; trumpets, L. Swan, E. Gane; tympani, C. Smith; piano, B. Duxfield. .. The. ballet comprised the following dancers: P. Russell, R. Wilson, E. Stonnell, M. Wiggins, R. Wiggins, B. Church, j. Aitken and J. Bailey.. .