A MUSICAL REVELATION

Waikato Times, Volume 92, Issue 14259, 9 January 1920, Page 5

A MUSICAL REVELATION

BY N.S.W. STATE ORCHESTRA. AN ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION. f AT LAST NIGHT’S CONCERT. When it was anounced some time ago that the New South Wales State •Orchestra, under the famous conductor. Mr Henri Verhrugghen, would visil New Zealand, people here rejoiced that they were to be given an opportunity of JL hearing one of the world’s great musical reorganisations. Interest steadily grew, and last night, when (tie Hamilton concert eventuated, Ihe Theatre Royal wao filled by an eager audience, expectant of hearing wonderful things. But, high as the expectation was, it foil far short of the realisation. The distinguished visitors revealed to us what orchestral music really is, and what it really means, and delivered the message of the great composers to humanity in a manner which could be fully understood. It was a musical feast and education which will remain an unforgettable memory. The Orchestra is controlled by Mr Henri Verhrugghen, with Mr Alfred Bill as assistant conductor. It consists of about 80 players, including violins (29), violas (6), ’cellos (6), double basses (4), flutes (3), piccolo (1), oboes (3), cor, angalis (1), clarionets (3), bass clarionet (1), Bassoons (3), horns (4), trumpets (4), trombones (3), tuba (1), harp (1). timpani (1), percussion (3) piano (2.) It will thus be seen that the Orchestra is well balanced. Mr Henri Verhrugghen is undoubtedly one of the world’s great conductors. Of dynamic personality, yet without pose or exaggerated actions, he domirates the players, and draws from them the best that is in them, with the result that, the ears of the audience are filled with a flood of melody. It was an inspiration to watch him; with the raising of a finger, the wave of a hand, he marshalled his forces, and secured the volume and quality of tone he required, and then, becoming more animated, worked up to a thrilling climax. What can one say of the work of the Orchestra? One needs superlatives to write of it. Surely it was as near perfection as we are over likely to experience in New Zealand —not only from the point of view of technique, but ot that rarer quality, the gift of interpretation. Many of the players are solo artistes of standing, and the excellence of their work was very apparent. The Orchestra swayed the emotions of the audience, who were roused to unusual enthusiasm by tlie tone-poems presented. The concert opened with the National Anthem, and at once the Orchestra showed its quality. As one member of the audience remarked,, “I never before realised that there was any music in ,t’ne Anthem.” Carelessly played as a 1 sign of dismissal, as it usually is, it fails to impress, but played by the Orchestra last night it thrilled. The overture “Leonora, No. 3" (Beethoven) followed, and proved a pure delight. The -music epitomises tiie story of a wife’s determination to rescue her husband from the clutches of a despot, her devotion being crowned with success. With a beautiful opening by the strings, the music is carried through exciting crescendo, and then an appealing diminuendo typifying the descent into the dungeon. A trumpet call is heard and then a hymn-like melody, and finally the full force of the orchestra is heard in a paean ol . triumphant joy. It was a thrilling performance. The next number, the “Tangi,” from Alfred Hill’s “Maori Rhapsody.” was j of a totally different nature. In this f Mr Hill expresses the haunting sweetness which seems to underlie all Maori music, and lament of the wahine grieving for her dead son is vividly portrayed. At the close of the item the composer, who has done so much to popularise the Maori in -music., was loudly applauded. The two bracketed items —(a) Prelude and (b) Prelude 1,0 AH 3 “Lohengrin” (Wagner)—were perhaps ihe most popular on the programme. The subjcct'is the descent of tiie Holy Grail, and the Grail motive is the key to tiie whole work. The harmonies of tiie Prelude were beautiful, and ihe sweetness of the long lingering notes :as the angels return to thc.lr celestial ji .ode was very appealing. In the second item one heard the crasn of arms, culminating in a very tornado of ■sound that stirred the blood. The stupendous symphony, No. G, “Palhetique” (Tschaikowsky), formed the second part of the programme, and was truly a great performance. The tragedy depicted in this wonderful composition was given full expressidn. and one could auite believe that while composing it Tschalkowsy frequently shed tears.. Although the music often became animated and rose to great heights there was ever an undercurrent •of sadness. At the close the audience applauded tumultuously, and the conductor and orchestra had to bow their acknowledgments for some minutes. The vocalist of the evening was Madame Goossens-Viccroy, and she •was quite equal to her distinguished company, revealing a cultured, powerful and sweet voice of unusually fine .quality, which at times rang through the hall with clarion-like Her numbers were tiie scena, “Softly Sighs.” from “Freichulz” (Weber), and the aria, “Depuis ic Jour,” from “Louise” (Charpenticr.) On each appearance she was twice recalled. At the close of the concert Mr Verbrugghen thanked the people of Hamilton for the kindness extended to the members of the Orchestra, and the appreciation shown. Thus ended the greatest event in the .musical history of the town.

VISIT TO RUAKURA. A HAPPY PARTY. Arrangements were made by the local •committee to take the members of the New South Wales State Orchestra to the Ruakura Farm of Instruction yesterday, and about 3 o’clock fifteen motor cars laden with happy visitors left the Council Chambers. The glimpse of the beautiful Waikato river, as the cars crossed the traffic bridge, caused a chorus of admiring comment, one of the passengers remarking, “I have not seen anything so beautiful since I let! I iome.” Upon arrival at Ruakura the visitors were very cordially received by the genial manager and ids wife, Mr and Mrs A. Green, and were hospitably regaled with a dainty afternoon tea, which was much appreciated. A pleasant half-hour was spent in social intercourse, and of course several photographs were taken. r ! he visitors made an excellent impression upon local people by reason of the sociable spirit displayed. The conductor, Mr Henri Wrbrugghen, was especially “ap--proachable”; there is nothing of the poseur about this groat musician, and he is entirely free from the mannerisms usually seen in prominent, artistes. He entered into the afternoon’s enjoyment with the spirit of a happy schoolboy.

Before re-entering the motor-cars, Mr Verhrugglien said it was only right

that he should express, on behalf of the orchestra, sincere thanks to Mr and Mrs Green for their cordial hospitality. When the members left the steamer at Auckland they felt rather ill, but the trip to Hamilton would put them in grand trim for the remainder of the tour. If the hospitality continued they would not want to go back to Australia. However, the responsibility rested on (he people of New Zealand. (Laughter.) He called for three cheers for Mr and Mrs Green and their assistants. These were lustily given, with the singing of “They are Jolly Good Fellows.” Mr Green said it gave him great pleasure to welcome the members of the Orchestra to Ruakura. Much could be done to bring about a better understanding between countries by the exchange of visits. Much had already been done by New Zealand and Australia. which were, working together in agriculture. New South Wales cattle had done much to improve the New Zealand herds; while the leading oat in New South Wales was the Ruakura. evolved at the farm. Hr- hoped the visitors would enjoy their short stay in Hamilton. The cars then proceeded around the farm. The returned soldiers’ new quarters were inspected and admired, and the poultry, bee, horticultural and cattle sections duly visited. In the haymaking field more photographs were taken. The visitors were keenly interested inwall that they saw, and on return to town about a p.m. stated that they had spent a very enjoyable couple of hours.

- “GOOD-BYE.” \ ftet tiie concert the members of the Orchestra were entertained at supper by Ihe local committee in the Theatre Royal Tea Rooms, a very pleasant hour being spent. The visitors again proved themselves a happy family, exhibiting a camaraderie which was good to see, and with a strong affection for their popular conductor. Full justice having been done to the good tilings provided, the Mayor (Mr P. H. Watts) took the opportunity of thanking the Orchestra for the extremely fine concert and the great amount of pleasure Ihey had given the people of Hamilton. He hoped the tour ’of New Zealand would be entirely successful, and that the other towns would derive as much pleasure as Hamilton had done from the visit of the Orchestra. (Applause.) Mr Verhrugghen said he had come to Australia four years ago, and had had many cordial receptions, but fewwarmer than that given here. New Zealand was going to kill him with kindness. While it lasted it was extremely pleasant, and he thanked them all very much.

Mr A. E. Manning expressed the pleasure they had all derived from the (Stupendous and inspiring programme, placed before them. Although -the fame of the Orchestra -had preceded it, New Zealand people had never dreamt, even in their wildest dreams, of the musical treat that was in store for them. The Orchestra had been put upon a pinnacle, from which it would never come down. It had given the audience something more than a realisation of all that music meant. He wished the Orchestra every success, and hoped it day return tc Hamilton.

Mr Verhrugghen said he was pleased that what they had set cut to do was being accomplished—to make the people realise what great music really is. Great music must convey its message, and the intelligent way in which the audience had followed the programme—including numbers included in Ihe repertoires of the great symphony orchestras of the world —showed that it was not above the heads of the people. Music was made to go straight to the hearts of the people, and if properly played would do so. The object of the visit of the Orchestra was to bring about a wider appreciation and knowledge cf music, and if this had been done they were amply repaid. Ha thanked the people of Hamilton for their cordial welcome, and hoped that this visit would not be the last.

The company were privileged to hear two of the soloists of the party—Mr W. J. Goad (violin) and Mr Henry Penn (piano)—and a Maori haka under the leadership of Mr Alfred Hill created much amusement. The “duet” by Messrs Hill and A. Webb was enjoyabkV. After a pleasant hour “Aukl Lang ?yne” and “God Save Ike King’’ were heartily sung, and cheers given. This c-osed a memorable event in the musical history of Hamilton. The members of the Orchestra left by this morning’s train for Auckland.