THE FIRST (OWN CHOICE) TEST SELECTION.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXI, Issue 12096, 15 February 1907, Page 5

THE FIRST (OWN CHOICE) TEST SELECTION.

PRESS OPINIONS.

(Christchurch Press.) Woolstoii (Lieutenant W. V. Siddal, conductor), "Tannhauser," Bound's arrangement.—The opening movement ("The

tor and band deserve the best congratulations for the result of their very hard work. Wanganui then essayed their task of equalling or eclipsing the excellent work of the other bands at 12.35 a.m., finishing at 1.15 in a very cold atmosphere, with a tired audience of some thousands. The performance of this band in "Heroic" wasalso as great a. treat as that of the Wellington, and on all sides it was conceded by competent judges that it was a battle between four bands for supremacy. Wanganui's effort waa a great one. In some places they fell slightly short of Wellington, while in other places they more than ■ made up any lost ground- It .was, full of musicianly treatment^ bearing evidence of a careful and well thought out conception of a great work; at the same time carrying with it jt3 full share of slight slips. If tlio accompaniments were all excellently subdued, and perhaps a daintier .interpretation was given than that of the preceding band. The performance ■ was strongly reminiscent of the efforts of the Besses o' the Barn. Satisfying volume of tone was obtained without anything approaching over-blowing, and the utmost sympathy between the units of the band prevailed. The solo cornet played most efficiently, and the whole of the work in each department was solid and artistic in the extreme. Eaikorai (Mr G. B. Laidlaw, conductor). '•Heroic." This arrangement by A. Owen (conductor of the Besses o' th' Barn Band), is probably one of the most difficult and best selections for a brass band ever published, consisting largely of adaptations from "Der Freischutz" and "Euryanthe." — A conspicuously bright and tuneful interpretation was given, the trombone soloist (who undertook the part at comparatively short notice) performing admirably, slipping perceptibly only at the close of the andante con moto movement. The cornet solo ("Softly Pell "Ene Shades* 5 of Evening") was specially well pjayed. The accompanists', while being full and virile, were yet sufficiently subdued to permit of due emphasis being secured by the solos. The basses proved a remarkably fine Jot, us indeed were all the instruments. The long sustained movement with which the selection cjosed was magnificently executed, and the whole performance stood out as one of the most notable of the day. Wellington Garrison (Lieutenant Herd, conductor). "Heroic." — The adagio movement from the overture to "Der Freischutz," containing pretty solos for the E flat and flugel horns, was well contrived, and fine effects from the sustained notes were obtained. The next (allegretto) movement was also successful, introducing as it did a graceful cornet solo, written in bolero style. The area for the trombone, "Beneath the Almond Blossoms/ was scarcely so well given, but the cornet cadenza, leading into a soprano andante recitative, was uneceptionablc, as also was the recitative itself. The tempo of the B flat cornet solo, "Softly Sigh," was much too slow, but all the accompaniments, without exception, wjere splendidly managed, the soprano cornetist standing out as an especially brilliant performer. The famous A Flat Sonata (originally arranged for the piano), with mezza-staccato accompaniment, was taken up alternately by the cornet and euphonium, with pleasing results. The utmost use of the dramatic pauses was made, and there was no perceptible inclination to anticipate the progress of events. The most noticeable blemish was an inclination to drag in the slower movements. The striking conclusion was cleverly evolved, and fittingly closed a masterly work, admirably . interpreted. Newcastle City Band (Mr W. Barkel, conductor). An arrangement, by Swift, of "William Tell." — Great interest was centred upon tlie first appearance in the colony of this, the champion Australian band. A very great treat was expected, and it is safe to claim that public anticipations were abundantly fulfilled. A powerful attack was made, with the band excellently in tune, and the arpeggios beautifully played. The instrumentation of the selection had been admirably arranged, affording a maximum of opportunity for all the parts. The tone picture presented was invariably bright and sharply defined. The euphonium solo was played without a blemish, the lower notes being especially meritorious. The cornet also produced a charming singing tone. Some of the later movements were taken a little too slowly, but gave convincing proof of the band's prowess in sustained passages. The beautiful melody in "The Tyrolienne" waa accorded a full measure of justice. Nothing finer was heard during the day than the chromatic passages in the stirring storm scene, an impression of the disturbances gradually dying away being most effectively conveyed. The march with which the selection concludes was also wonderfully well played, the cornet work being really superb. Wanganui Garrison (Mr James Crichfcon, conductor).. "Heroic. "-=lhis was .the third band to tackle the exceedingly difficult selection named. ' A fine crescendo was developed in the adagio opening movement, which was given with possibly over ' studiousness of care, , militating against elasticity of treatment. The flugel horn solo was efficiently manipulated, and the accompaniment in the second movement was played with excellent depth and solidity. The trombone solo "Beneath the Almond Blossoms," was slightly faulty and hesitating in style, and the B flat .cornet was not over confident. The soprano, however, acquitted himself splendidly. The alegro vivace movement was distinctly creditable, as was the allegro fiero, containing a wealth of florid staccato work for the horns and cornets. The following two movements were not characterised Vj fcKe full measure of statelinoKS requisite but the A flat sonata was well done. All the rapid passages and crescendos were especially well manipulated, and here again the utmost advantage was extracted from the dramatic pauses. In tone the" band was perhaps a little superior ta Wellington. T (Post, Wellington.) The Evening Post's correepondenffwrit- * ing about the first test .selection, speaka as follows of , the performances of the Wei*-, lington and Wanganui Bands: — The Garrison Band, with "Heroic," opened nicely. Shortly afterwards there was a slight slip by the horn, but quick recovery. The adagio was well played. The allegretto "was fine, the accompaniments of the cornet being pretty tongueing. There was a slight slip in the soprano, but a quick recovery. The grand balance of the band movement was excellent. The allegro was good. The" trombone was first-class, its syncopations being very decided. The trombone and the soprano played very feelingly. The trombone cadenza, with a grand top D, was a treat. The poco piu moderato, together with the cadence, -was very fine, the cornet being very good. The andante was exceedingly sweet, especially the horns at the end of the strain. The other movements were finely played, the trombones, cornets, and euphoniums being especially noticeable for good, crisp work. The Wellington band never played so difficult a selection bo well before, and both conducPilgrim's Chorus") was beautifully accom-

plished. Most of the well-known pitfalls with which the selection is liberally provided were successfully avoided, and a splendid organ tone maintained. The band gave certainly the best performance up to that stage. The oharming movement including tho sestette was brightly and tunefully given, the cornet, however, missing one or two essential notes. The finale was well worked up, and the band concluded amid loud applause. Oamaru Garrison (the Hon. George Jones, M.L.C., conductor). "Tannhauser." — A nice soft musical opening was made, the subsequent crescendos being beautifully worked up, and these were thoroughly characteristic of the conductor's reputation. With the whole band well in tune there was a point in' its favour against Wellington, TV'may be in treatment, but the distinction is an exceedingly fine one. I have no hesitation, in placing Wellington and Wanganui decidedly before. Newcastle. After the performance concluded, the judge (Lieut. Bentley) read out his opinions ■as .to the merits of the bands, and I must^ confess that' they astonished everyone — certainly they were not calculated to strengthen the confidence of- competitors in his judgment. '