OPERA HOUSE

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12840, 9 December 1911, Page 8

OPERA HOUSE

WANGANUI ORCHESTRAL

SOCIETY

The programme of the Orchestral Society was an ambitious one, ami it was evident from the vary large, and also very appreciative, audience that the people of Wanganui. are be r ing educated to the; enjoyment of a class of miisic that in the earlier days of the society would, have bored the audience intensely. The first number was the now. well-known overture to Beethoven's Egmont, which went crisply, and was, on the whole fairly satisfying. Mozart's Symphony in G Minor was unequal, and in. some parts, particularly in tho second movement, there, appeared -to be ,;? lack of unanimity among the mem-, bers of the orchestra' Aithough somewhat lengthy it will .veil bear repetition, for it is music of that kind which grows upon one with increased familiarity—it, will be better appreciated as it becomes better known. Two dainty little compositions of Chaminad.e were pleasingly interpreted, and evidently found great favour. The Minuet of Bouherini, for strings only, has been produced before on more than one occasion; it is a pretty, tuneful composition, and was nicely played, its repetition being imperatively called for. The last orchestral number was the spirited "Tanuhauser Slarch" of Wagner, which was a capital performance.. The gem of the concert was the beautiful "Rheinberger Quartette," the nerformers being Miss Price (violin). Mr. lyiaurice Cohen (viola), Mr. Herbert Collier ('cello), and Mr. Leslie Peck at the piano. It consists oi three movements: "Allegro non troppo," "menuetto andantino," and "finale allegro." It is a long tiiae since chamber music of this class has been heard in Wanganui, that delightful kind of nmsic having been neglected, probably because it is difficult to get Instrumentalists whose capabilities onable them to do such compositions approximate justice. It war; a really clever performance, and theve was a complete understanding between the four executant^. The Society had the assitance of Mr. Charles H. Stephens, whose artistic singing is always a treat to listen to. He was in excellent voice, and contributed solos by Brahms and Strauss, and Sullivf^'s "Song of the Wrens," words by Tennyson. This is., a cycle of , songs, differing from each other widely, except that all were melodious. Mr. Stephens is a great favourite in Wanganui and well deserved his encores. It was a little unmerciful to recall )xjm after, the effort required to singr a' connected series of short songs.. Mrl Frank Holland'is a yonng pian^ iste of whom we expect mbi'd'wili be r 'Tf^rd w iien-':He n',has ' pet-fectedj v, his' studies in a Ets(rpp.eah:-C'6n^eryaftc»ir&; He. played ;k MJfficult ;"Bklia'de in G .Minor." by rCh6p'in> aispTa}Mirg considerable ability of'execution and a musicianly conception of the Composer's intention. .'.'--■ ; ' ' Mr. Louis Cohen; the' popular conductor, intimated that'it Sv^j;.'the Intention of the Society to pYodup.e.. several important /works- next yeai', when three concerts, will be given. A^mong the works promised are concertos by. JUax Bruchs,. Tchaiskowsky, Ft. Saens,' and Gr.eig, ; also a Septuor by Beethoven. "He referred to the amount of. work r h>s orchestra had to put in, arid their desire to bring before the .public musical compositions which can only be heard to perfection' in the great centres of .tmisie.'. .He was aware that there would b6 many imperfections, but the orchestra would work hard and could only do their best.'-"'

Owing to the length of one or two of the numbers .the., concert did not conclude until a; late hour, It would perhaps be well to either shorten the programme, or decline encores as at present people will not miss their last tram or train, and begin to leave the Ooera House before the concert is over. ..''..