N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14258, 8 January 1920, Page 5

N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA

TO-NIGHT’S CONCERT.

To-night the New South Wales State 'Orchestra, whose visit has been the main topic of conversation among music-lovers for some time past, will appear at the Theatre Royal, Hamilton, and judging by the brisk demand for seats at Paul’s Book Arcade, will be greeted by a crowded house. The orchestra numbers 80 players, all of whom are musicians of ability, and several are teachers at the State Conservatorium. A line programme embracing different schools of musical thought will be presented, the two preludes from Lohengrin’s and Beethoven’s Leonora Overture giving the orchestra a good opportunity to display its powers in the first, \ and the famous symphony No. 0, by Tchaikowsky, occupies the second portion. , Mr Henri Vcrbrugghen is recognised as one of the greatest conductors living, and his energy, high standing as a musician, and musical temperament played an important part in preparing the instrumentalists and achieving the high standard of excellence the orchestra now' enjoys. Arrival in Hamilton. The members- of the Orchestra arrived in Hamilton by the Rotorua express from Auckland to-day, and were met and welcomed at the railway tion by Messrs A. E. Manning, A, Webb 1 H and H. H. Shaw, representing the local “ committee. They then entered the waiting motor cars, and were convey- j ed to 'the accommodation which had been arranged for them. The Civic Reception. At 3 o’clock the party was given an Mfficial welcome hy the Mayor (Mr P. H. Watts) at the Town Hall, wtio said he realised that their time, was short and that the real purpose of their visit was not to hear the people of this town, but in order that the people of the j town might hear them. He assured | them that they would meet with a cnti- ; cal and appreciative house. The people | of this town realised thoroughly the j importance from a musical point of I view of this visit of the orchestra. He. trusted they would have a pleasant time in Hamilton, and he only regroteed that their stay was not of longer duration. Mr Verbruggen assured the Mayor 4 hat the members of the orchestra were extremely grateful for the very iTcOspitable reception they had been ■ given. Music, he said, was an indispensible part of the national life of any country. Ever since the beginning of time music had been used for many purposes. It was jused to bring ♦ on sunshine; it had been used to bring on rain; it had been used to induce love —loud laughter and comments from members of the orchestra, "Oh, .Mr- Verbruggen!” who was then anud great laughter, counted out. When the laughter had subsided the popular leader thanked the people of Hamilton, on behalf of the orchestra, for their kind reception, and regretted, with the Mayor, that their stay was not longer.

AUCKLAND CONCERT HUGE SUCCESS A MUSICAL REVELATION. The following telegram was received 'this morning regarding the concert given in Auckland last night;—“Las, night magnificent. The Herald says this morning: ‘Performance a musical •revelation. Audience cheered again .and again.’ ” , Of the concert in Auckland, to-day : Herald says:—“The expectations o: weeks past were more than realised The programmp swayed many emotion! ere a memorable evening was brough to a termination. The conductor, Henr Verbrugghcn, is a dominant persona litv who possesses the rare gift* o nuickly visualising the fullest possi bilities* of a musical work. Onc& hi "baton is raised in air, the orchestra forces are subservient to bis will. I subdued movements, every dehcat siu'gestion is full of meaning to thos in °front of the desks, while lus de cisive beat in thunderous fortissimo and thrilling climaxes rouses the exe r.utanls to the highest flights of tecli n ical energy. Of the orchestra itsa much might he written. It is a coj nation of highly-trained musician each one a soloist of high standing, tl string department alone including man artists who arc frequently heard m u dividual concert work. When such performing body comes under the n fluence and enthusiasm of such a cor ductor as Mr Verbrugghcn, anythin D possible, as last night’s audience mu testify.