ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18405, 11 June 1925, Page 7

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

LAST NIGHT'S CONCERT. In pursuit of his laudable purpose to spread the knowledge of the symphonic works of the great masters, Mr Angus Gunter spares neither time nor hard labour. This time it was Mozart's most famous symphony, the "Jupiter," that was chosen for the first concert of the season, the last of his last three symphonies, all written by a youth of 22, within. six weeks, an almost incredible feat. In perfection of. form and workmanship it can hold its own with the greatest. To describe the charm, of: Mozart's music in words is no easy task. A literary celebrity, discussing Christina Eossetti'a poetry, quotes the stanza:■ ■

"I shall not sec the shadows, , I-shall not feel .the. rain, I shall not hear the nightingale- \ Sing on,, as if in pain." and' says, ( ' this - sweet, simple, limpid movement, is it not like Mozart?" _lt is an apt illustration. Sweetness, simplicity, and limpid grace, are indeed the most conspicuous virtues of Mozart's art. Add manliness and supreme technical'mastery and the picture is almost complete. Almost—for he can also rise to intenso dramatic power, like in "Don Giovanni."

Every movement of the Jupiter Symphony claims equal admiration; the swing and spirit, tho wealth of melody [ of the allegro vivace, the serene beauty of the audante, the joyousness of the menuetto, and the.breadth, power, and ingenuity of the fugalmovement, which •old Johann Sebastian Bach-would have gladly fathered.' , Mr Gunter has.by now lifted his orchestra to an admirable standard; tho string. body has been wonderfully strengthened; every part of the symphony was well-thought-out, impressively produced with a precision and hardly an accidental flaw. That means good, faithful work and infinite care. Conductor'and orchestra- deserve equal appreciation and compliments. The overture to Cherubini's "Anacreoh," a bright, splendidly scored movement, headed the programme, Cherubini, once a great figure in tho music-world of Napoleon's time, highly gifteid and learned,, is now almost forgotten, but for a few Overtures and tho beautiful Mass in F still encountered in Catholic Church services. He it was who" raised the Paris Conservatoire to the eminence it still occupies. As it happened, the opera "Anacreon," of which we heard the Overture last night, was hissed, down, being beyond the comprehension of- Paris opera frequenters of the time. , The introduction of two of Mendelssohn's Songs Without "Words-in orches-tral-garment? is to*be regretted. The <'Spring Song" was a perfect travesty of the : airy, graceful movement the original conveys. It was killed without compunction; A string orchestra possesses a great charm of its own, and the '.' Prelude" by Pachulski, and the "Valse Lente," dexterously and gracefully scored by Mrß. A. Home, formed an enjoyable feature of the programme, which terminated with, a popular "selection" from "Faust." Mr J. B. Biordan acted as leader. As vocalist appeared Miss Jessie King, winning high opinions. Her voice is a fine, sympathetic contralto, of "good carrying power, and ready for characteristic. expression. .The sombre songs by Franzz and Schubert were by no means favourable introductions. But Schumann J a "Devotion," "The Forge" by Brahms, . and the three excellent English songs of Graham Peel, Warlock, and Frank Bridge were in turn presented with much skill nad refinement. Miss King was accompanied by Miss Aileen Warren in very artistic; style and finish, and she is entitled to warmest praise. The concert was very largely patronised, but the applause that should have lasted for minutes after the splendid symphonic performance, did not exceed the conventional length. - Perhaps the big dose of music was not so readily digested.