CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1049, 14 April 1910, Page 17

CHORAL HALL.

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S CONCERTS. Large and appreciative audiences filled the Choral Hall last Wednesday and Thursday, when the Auckland Orchestral Society held their first concert of the seventh season. These concerts are always eagerly looked forward to, and patrons, as on other occasions, were treated to a real musical feast. The orchestra was well balanced, and under the complete command of Herr Wielaert, gave masterly interpretations of the various numbers, encores being frequent. Opening with a fine rendering of “William Tell,” every detail being artistically brought out, a capital programme included such gems as Delibes “Sylvia,” Tannhauser, “Barcarolle” and “Meditation,” Miss Edith Whitelaw taking the solo part in the latter. Miss Whitelaw led the orchestra, and Mr. Carl Prime was principal of the second violins. Madame Grothkop lent variety to the programme by her songs “Softly wakes my Heart,” and Tosti’s “Good-bye,” her tasteful rendering in both cases calling for encores. The accompaniments were in the able hands of Miss Madoleine Webbe.

THE HAYDN BECK RECITALS.

Haydn Beck, the wonderful child violinist, gave two recitals in the Choral Hall on Saturday and Monday last, and was most enthusiastically received, the little fellow adding to the laurels he gained on his former to the laurels he gained on his former appearances here. Possessed of charming manners and a self-possession many older persons might well envy, Haydn Beck took command of his instrument with the air of a master, and interpreted memorised works from the classics with surprising ease. “ Romance in F (Papini), Hungarian Mazurka (Moffatt), Mozart’s Concerto in E flat, “Romance” in B flat (Harold Light) and Wieniawskis’ Second Polonaise, made up the programme of his first recital, and were received with rounds of applause and astonishment. Several local leading artists assisted towards an enjoyable concert. The Unique Quartette was minus one of its members, but, nevertheless, gave a delightful rendering of “Moonlight,” and “So do I.” Miss May Storey charmed her hearers with her brilliant and finished rendering, of Rossinis “Bel Raggio Lusinghier,” and. in response to a clamorous recall gave “Absent,” being heard later in Tosti’s “Good-bye,” which also called for an encore. Mr. O. E. Farrow, who is always in keen demand, contributed “There’s a Land,” and “A Jolly Sailor” and was encored. Mrs. Abel Rowe’s items “In My Garden” and “A Request,” with zither accompaniment, were given in that lady’s usual tasteful manner. “The Arrow and the Song” (Balfe). was nicely rendered by Miss Gwenyth Evans, while Mr. W. A. Roach made a most favourable impression with his skilful handling of a flute solo, “Song ; without Words.” Mr. T. E. Midgley acted as accompanist.;: - .