ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12748, 18 September 1919, Page 7

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT, , 1 right’s concert by the Christchnrch Orchestral Society—the second ot the Kcason—drew a large attendance \r t l le r^r? TTall. Tho conductor. 1 t’ • . -” u nz, and liis orchestra gave ot their best placing to their credit finished and illuminating expositions of mch highly difierent works as Mendels- ’ , auan Symphony,” Luigini’s u and Suppe’s 1 ique Dame ’ overture. The instrumentalists mustered in good force, tho stage, as is usual on such occasions, proving all too small to accommodate them comfortably. Apart from a lack or tone quality in the string section due to depleted ranks, the balance wai uniformly good. The programme opened with the Mendelssohn Symphony, a magnificent composition reflecting in its every mood the sunny nature of its composer. Tho work was written when Mendelssohn M the zenith of his career. Each or the three movements bears ample evioence of the inspiration of the Italian school on the composer. The symphony performed with great beauty of tone with > infinite attention to detail, ihe technical heights were scaled easily and confidently. The other outstanding feature of the s offerings was Lnigini’s suite Uallet Egyption, 55 the performance of which was uniformly good, all four movements being given with correctness or detail and fine taste m expression Soedermaun’s “ Peasant’s Wedding March,” transcribed for full orchestra - ylow, was given a bright mterpretation, though the transcription has ittio to recommend it. The vivacious overture to “Pique Dame” (Suppc) received a spirited rendering and rounded oil effectively one of the best concerts given bv the society for some time past. Mr George Bonnington was assocC a ted as a soloist with the orchestra in an oboe solo comprising two movements from _ a concerto by Klughardt. Mr Ixnxnington played with good true tone and execution, and was accorded an insistcnt recall, to which he eventually responded with a delightful arranges, ment by J, Orel Hume of an old Irish folk song, ‘ By the Banks of the Loune,” the accompaniment for which was tastefuHy played by Mr Bonz. 1 ~T oca i soloists for the occasion were Miss -Bepie Olds and Mr T. M. Charters. Miss Olds sang “The Violot - (Mozart) and “Love’s Philo(Lrmdon E-onald), displaying a roice of considerable powerMiss Olds sings with musicianlv discretion, never forcing her voice beyond its natural range, which is wide. In response to a well deserved recall she contributed “In a Garden” (0. B. Hawley). Mr Charters, who was making his first appearance in public since ms return from active service, sang Hermann Lohr’s “ For the Green ” recall 1111101 SIICCeBS, eaniin g insistent The accompanist was Mrs Vere Livmgstone, who filled the position with distinction.