WANGANUI ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19435, 22 October 1925, Page 8

WANGANUI ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

SECOND CONCERT OF THE SEASON. A PLEASING PROGRAME. The Wanganui Orchestral Society gave the second concert of the present season to a crowded audience in the Opera House last evening. Notwithstanding that tho Society had put forward the most difficult programme it has yet attempted, the general opinion was that the orchestra played better than ever before. Whilst numerically weak in the violin section, tho orchestra has developed considerably in other departments, notably •in the cello, bass, and brass sections. Moreover, the whole organisation gives evidence of enthusiasm and of that still greater essential, confidence in the conductor. Mr. Will Hutchens is undoubtedly doing good work with the orchestra and is entitled to much praise for the success of tho concert. Bazzini’s “Saul” Overture, a work of considerable length and difficulty, opened tho programme. The orchestra gavo marked attention to dramatic effects in this number, w’hich made it impressive. The chief item of the programme followed—Mozart’s 1 ‘ Jupiter ’ ’ Symphony, which was presented in its entirety. The first movement, with its bold catline and pleasing wood -wind passages, was spiritually given. Tho slow movement wtas most deliberate and subdued with some broad chordal effects and striking syncopated rhythms. The Minuet and Trio gave great pleasure by their simplicty and colour. Tho big fugal finale was rendered with vigour and a creditable measure of accuracy.

Suilivan’s “Graceful Dance” provided lighter work, but was perhaps rather heavily played. Certain portions, however, were very pleasing. Fletcher’s “Rustic Revels” Suite, with its dance forms, and its highlycoloured picture of tho medley of noises at a fair, was given with exhilarating effect. Some good oboe passages were heard in this number. Wagner’s Prelude to the Third Act of “Lohengrin,” in which tho violins hardly balanced the brass, was nevertheless received with great enthusiasm, and proved a good climax to a big programme. In Mr. C. G. Naumann tho Society has a leader who is a tower of strength to tho o.rchestra, his leadership being evidently appreciated by conductor, orchestra, and audience. The lady vocalist was Miss Nellie Amies, of Wellington, who displayed a contralto voice of great purity, though not of great strength, in a highly artistic manner. Her programme numbers were Bantock’s “Lament of Isis” and Brahms’ “Love Eternal,” both sung with depth and feeling, excellent intopa tion and diction. Miss Amies delighted her audience, who compelled her to add single and double encores, which included “Wait” (d’Hardlot), “Wheno’cr a Snowflake” (Lehmann) and “Little Damozel.” Ernest Thomas sang Bullard’s “Sword of Ferrara” (with orchestral accompaniment) with vigour and deep feeling. Mr. Thomas would have been hoard to better advantage had the accompaniment been a little lighter, but the item was nevertheless enjoyable, and Mr. Thomas was obliged to respond to an encore. Mrs. Allan Abernethy played the accompaniments in her customary cultured style.