FIRST B GRADE TEST TO-NIGHT ECHOES OF SCHUBERT

Wanganui Chronicle, 24 February 1947, Page 6

FIRST B GRADE TEST TO-NIGHT ECHOES OF SCHUBERT

(By “Listener”)

The first .B Grade band, test this evening contains five excerpts from the works of Franz Schubert, who :s reputed to be the greatest musical genius of all the romantic composers. Schubert lived for 31 years, during which time he wrote over 600 songs in addition to 500 ether works of all kinds.

In this evening’s test selection the composer is represented by excerpts from the “Unfinished Symphony,” “Ave Maria,” the Finale to his Sym. phony in C Major, “Thine is My Heart,” one of his most popular songs, and the Finale from his overture to “Rosamunde.”

The selection is arranged by George Hawkins, a well-known British band composer and arranger. The opening bars give an opportunity to the bass section of the bands and perfect jntonatien is required for this short unison passage. The cornets (muted) take up what is scored for violins in the original setting and effective tenor horn and euphonium parts follow with the cornets repeating the second theme. The famous “Ave Maria,” played as a cornet solo, introduces the finale to the C Major symphony in which movement clean and very neat playing is required ta keep this section of th? selection up to orchestral speed. The trombone and cornet soloists combine in playing “Thine is My Heart,” a song fre. quently broadcast by Richard Tauber, the famous tenor. There should be no excuse for any exaggerated interpretations of this movement as the aria is too well known. A very short mo l.ulating bar leads into the finale from “Rosamunde,” a jolly six-eight which has been most effectively arranged.

As the whole work does not exceed seven minutes, interest should not be lagging for the listeners, as the melodies are exceptionally tuneful and most popular. It is expected that 16 bands will compete.

and a very sweet tone is noticeable. This hymn received sane treatment. Kaikorai Brass (Conductor, H. J. Osborne), “Consecration”—First verse very pleasantly played. Perhaps the horns could be a little richer here. Last phase very nicely played. Second verse, a much larger volume of tone forthcoming here, even if some of the chords are over accented. The final verse was the best of all. Band not together in the first chord of the amen.

Woolston Brass (Conductor, R. J. Estall), Lead Kindly Light.”—First verse delightfully played. Beautiful quality of tone here. At opening of second verse soprano and cornet led quite together. This verse is being taken a little slower. A delightful pianissimo in the final chard. Fine body of tone in the final verse and band is splendidly balanced here. A very good performance. Taranaki Regimental and New Plymouth Municipal (Conductor, Lieut. A. S. Ramsay), “Mundi Et Memors.” — Good tone opening chords. A little more legato would have improved this verse. Second verse opens well, basses producing good tone. A little more expression would have enhanced the performance generally. Final verse showed the band off to better advantage, even if it was hurried a shade. There was a general tendency to over accent some chords at times. A very pleasant close.