ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 289, 31 August 1908, Page 8

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Tho. Sunday evening'concerts of the 'Wellington: professional Orchestra (Mr. P. J. Oakes) at the Town , Hall have ,by i this time earned a, reputation .for artistic merit which has placed them . upon • very popular terms with tho public; for last evening's concert the big hall was, crowded, both in the gallery and downstairs, and a very fine programme of items' was submitted. Whether the approbation, of tho public in this. connection will stand the', strain .of payments for admission when this orchestra seeks to obtain; their • patronage at,a performance to be given under its .own auspices at some. future date' is another matter. It will' bo a pity if that support is not freely given by tho public, for the orchestra has shown, by the quality of its performances, that it deserves well of its patrons. The concert last ; evening was a very good one. The opening number was Fucik's "Mnrelio Triomphale," an imposing composition, full.of animation, and spiritedly played. The popular "Maritana " overture (Wallace)! which followed, was an enjoyable number, and was very well'received. The next item was a bracket—the, delightful "Mignon Gavotte" (Thomas) and Von BWs eccentric- but charming " Sizillietta." Both were artistically played, and both had to be repeated the Wagnerian selection. "Tannhauser and Lohengrin," was creditably performed. Wagner's music is most intricate in structure; the ideas,; so to say, aro very involved, and the whole is. so richly, at times even fantastically, coloured, as to make the interpretation of the composer's works a task of no little difficulty.; It is riot sufficient simply to play Wagner. He is to be, metaphorically speaking,' , translated—interpreted intelligently. It was with considerable credit to itself, therefore; that •< the Wellington Professional Orchestra. accomplished the diffi-cult.task-of interpreting Wagner last evening ,in such a manner .'that the audicnco was not only able to enjoy -it, but to grasp the general, sense of the ideas intended to be conveyed.' If anything, however, the orches-tra,-!.from its'-strength, is somewhat overweighted by this kind of ■ music. The everwelcome "Turkish Patrol" (Michaelis) followed, and .was excellently played, the characteristic climax of thbeomposition being full and-expressive. As an encoro, the orchestra played the not less .enjoyable "German Patrol", (Eilenburg). The other numbers wero Suppe's'"Pique Damo" overture, and the concluding march,' "Abeschied der Gladiatoren" (Blankenberg), which were successfully played. There was . observed, in the playing of the march pieces, a little unsteadi-ness-in tempo, while tho "Mignon" gavotte should haro been palyed a little slower. A gavotte is a somewhat stately measure, and even when, as in it receives,a certain piquance of treatment, should not be hurried. The soloists -were Mr. Ernest Parkes (baritone) and Sfr!'Len King (corncttist). . Mr. Parkes, who! was in excellent voice, sang "Los Ram.e?ux (Faure) very well, and was recalled, when he repeated the last verse. Mr. Len ; King's cornet solo, "Tho Lost; Chord".'. (Sullivan) —what, ono wonders, would cornet players do without this very fine, but, by them, somewhat hackneyed composition—was artistically played A collection in- aid of the orchestra's music library fund was taken up at tho doors.