BESSES O' TH' BARN.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14143, 1 March 1910, Page 5

BESSES O' TH' BARN.

ARRIVAL IN TIMARU. The famous Besses O' Tfl' Barn Band arrived in Timaru by the 1.30 express from the south yesterday afternoon and were the cynosure of all eyes. Since last this world-renowned organisation was here it has altered somewhat in composition, the alteration being chiefly in the soloists. Sisteen of those who were in the Band on its first visit have been replaced by others who are said to be even better than their predecessors. Those who were fortunate enough to hear these wonderful exponents of instrumental music when last they were round, will perhaps find it difficult to believe that there was room for improvement; but whether there was or was not is a question which need not be debated here. The simple truth is that the Besses are beyond criticism. At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon they were billed to give an open-air roncert at the Caledonian Grounds, and punctually to time they appeared on the oval, and under their capable conductor, Mr Alexander Owen, played a programme which entranced all listeners and the people who were present were very demonstrative in their expressions of approval. The pieces, and two encore numbers were added. The music was varied enouch to show the full capabilities of the Band, the programme including Wasmer's "Tnnnhauser" march, the overture "Zampa." a duet for cornet, and trombone, "Miserere Seenr> from.ll Trovatore," a selection "Beethoven (arranged by the conductor), the glee. "When Winds Breathe Soft." selection. "William Tell," valse "Marguerite," fantasia, "Reminiscences of Wales," two hymns —Bock of Ages, and Lead, Kindly Light, and finally a verse of the National Anthem. The nlaying and general ensemble of the band left nothing to be desired, their sostennto Tvork being really magnificent, and the short notes beautifully taken. The phrasing was also very fine, and the cornet work was of a very high order of merit. The euphoniums were very skilfully treated, the music being brought out beautifully in both the upper and the lower register. The trombones also took their part well, nn .d the sopranos had a particularly brilliant tone, and were alwavs very accurate, their subdued plavina: being especially nice. The bass "and tenor work was in perfect harmony with the rest. The sacred music was a genuine tre-at to listen to. the orcan effects being brought out with a grandeur and solemnity which cave to the familiar hymns an added beauty.

KVENTNG CONCERT. • ,"^ TV i n e needs no bush." Last' mght the sscond appearance in Tiniara of the celebrated Besses o' th' Barn Band in ihe Theatre Royal required no excuse, and still less apology. The building was filled, every available seat being taken and -when the smartly uniformed men appeared on the stage after being played to the entrance by the Marine Band they got an enthusiastic welcome. The nudience was pre-eminently a musical one, and Timaru lovers and users of th 9 sounding brass and tinkling cymbal (not irresponsibly used) could be sten ~ dotted over the circle and stalls. Occasionally a listener was carried away, and in "Home to our Mountains" one gentleman was adding his modest j whistle to the full band's lead, when Mr Owen caused an abrupt pistoll flash ending, not in the warble's score. The result was a whistling solo—eonfusion —oblivion. The programme waa an excellent one and suited not only to manifest the power of tone, combination and spirit of unison of the band, bnt also to give the listeners a variety of works that it seldom falls to one's lot to hear interpreted so true to the spirit_ of the composer. Mr Alex. Owen is a conductor in the wider sense of the word. He conducts, by forces unseen, every movement of each fr-om the exfp"Bion of the trombone to the last roll of the side drum. He stands without Catherine wheels or "make up" and with simple movement calls up the spirit, of "Longfellow's famous blacksmith thinking of his wife, "How in a grave she lies." or rocks the house with Verdi's """William Tell." "A Kitol-pner of bandsmen" he may in truth be called, and the he carries gets a whole-hearted obedience from the twenty-nine artists who sit beneath it. The openinsr number "Schiller." a march arranged by the conductor, mad" a fittin<r introduction. Its crisp attacks, beautifully handled swells, and life rousing the audience to a stats not far removed from enthusiasm. Suppes' "Poet and Peas-* ant" wns ne~t given. It? initial br>rs splendidly taken, and its rippling clean-noted runs ending now and again in the clash of the full band were real miracles of the lip and finger cornhiration. The shading off artistically worked, the horns leading to the euphoniums and euphoniums to the trombones in a manner imperceptihle. Mr "W. "Ryder gave a cornet solo "Arbucklenian" by Hartmann. TTis tone was <-lear and sweet. rep'ete with power and pulsating with vitality. The runs were really pj:c-sll?T , t pud his triplet went out with cascade-like freedom. He added Tosti's "Good Bye" as an encore number. As the interpretation of the finnV "good-bye" following the unusual lines adopted by Mrs blende, th? O-ristchurch soprano. The b?nd accompanied the soloist, and so perfect was their balance that often the organ seomed to be just heard pulsating somewhere, forming a background for the soloist and then the coupled swell to gre?t would take up the theme at the comet's rest. One of th» most enjoyable it-ems was the selection from Rossini, arranged by the conductor. The airs, mostly familiar and in some cases hackneyed by the übinvitrms pianoforte tutor and con- ! comitant voung beginner, received a new life, and perhaps saved the comi poser's reputation with those most ac- !■ -tainted w-'th «=ot« of hi« rr-e«t works. i Strong, rich chords marked its introduction: thev filled the Theatre, and it mav be, gave substance to the very atmosphere. At least when the cornets broke away to the first- movement a sense of strain or perhaps rapt attention snapped, and things seemed .lighter. The rnns again were capI tivating. and their canon effects caused frequentlv some beautiful harrao"ie« The accentuation by the full bind of the cornet solo, was of hsrlreniug like sharpness. The -econa l*lf of th'e evening opsned with Jiande! » i " Harmonious Blacksmith." its wealth cf harmonv was fullv realised, and appreciated bv the audience. Mr E. P. Kerry then added an euphonium solo, "'.Tsnnv Joups." Mr Kerrv plays with: soul and with judgment. He also gave "The Village Blacksmith," his hauntin tr tone replete l with conviction and. feeling and Ms perfect command over hU instrument making the solo a veritable treat. Timaru has a New Zealand champion euphonium, player, and perhaps this fact accounts for the extra, popularity which 1 was shown to Mr Kerry, who is bnt one of a band of arfcfets. Verdi's "11 a judicious selection of" " National Airs." brought to a close one of th* rrrsatest musical: treats ever eniovega h"re. Among the encores so kindly "dded during the.evening were "Bee» Harmonv." f-ranred by Owen. n»<3 " The Marppi'laise." One left with" tbe> strains cf " God Save the Sin? " ifeging in one's ears, convinced t&afc. the Besses are a, great band, and morsr—. an organ, an orchestra, a- So}ofet ; — withon*- fir?*-, er last, no break, -hoi- Lnt nor valley but a pulsating, Irving and. acting creation, under the~spell of ti» master. _