PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1534, 2 September 1912, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA.

—$ LISZT'S "RHAPSODIE, NO. 2."

"It will lje a heavy Wow to art if by : their recent action the City Council suc- : ceeds in killing this orchestra!" These . words were spoken with all sincerity by [ a prominent and well-respected citizen ■ on leaving the Town Hall after the Proi fessional Orchestra's concert last even- ■ nig. As there were about 2500 people pre- : sent, nil of' whom listened with rapt at- ■ tention to the fine' music played, it is reasonable to conclude that the speaker's remarks would have been readily endorsed if put to tlio test before such an assemblage. For years Wellington was altogether bereft of an orchestra of any kind, and people grev; up -ignorant of the delights of orchestral music. Then came two orchestras—the Municipal and the Professional. The former- liad to be fought for, and its running expenses guaranteed by private citizens before the City Council would sanction a Municipal Orchestra, and the Professional Orchestra. born of enthusiasm, may be crushed out because those who would put their hands in their pockets to succour it are not to be guaranteed seats. Jiot to assist such a-jsplcri'did orchestra as the Professional "by every means possible would be an injustice to art, but to deliberately, vote it out'of existence is like applying a wanton torch to a great picture. . One could hardly help feeling that after hearing last-evening's programme. There were' only four items'on the programme, but two of the four were Liszt's "Rhapsodic,. and. Wagner's. over: ture to "KienzK".' SomV years' have passed. since'the E hapsodie was : played here, and its manifold delights,' its spirit, and elan.' and its eternal melodies, came back to the memory with all the dewv freshness of spring. The "Rhapsodie" contains all the colour of the rainbows from' the blue-bla.ck thunder clouds rolling out from a quintet of double-basses, to the joyous sunlight of the Hungarian dance given to the wood-winds and strings, and played with intoxicating spirit until the ivild revel becomes almost' chaotic., when another theme,.' stately and beautiful) 'ensues. 'this occurs' repeatedly- with, ever some new Variation jn the instrumental combinations. The "Rhapsodic" is sunshine and shadow, life and death, what von will—but it is a tone poem of supg'rb contrasts such as could only be conceived by a master mind. Another success scored by the orchestra was the "Rierizi". Overture of "Wagner. Written before the composer's remarkable individuality asserted itself in . his music, the "Rienzi" Overture nevertheless shows Wagner as a master musician who could write fine music of a more conventional character than that with which his name is Usually associated. Still, even in this work, his passion for bi" efforts, for bold crashes of brass, and relentless agitation, from the strings is evident. The general effect was most impressive,- and all seations of the band deserve commendation. An attractive number was the "TraumbiM" of Von Blou, a dreamy sensuolls waltz (a la Veinnese), played by muted strings only with a melodious 'cello solo as a secondary theme.. This was bracketed with Dvorak's delightful "Humoreske." which, of course, is not humorous at all. It is a voluptuous melody, gloriously orchestrated, and was played really well. The opening number was Eilenberg's "Coronation" March, which grew tiresome through an excessive use' of toneless cymbals. Cymbals should be used with the greatest discrc-

fion and only to gain o certain effect. If used throughout a number as in this case tlipy dominate the whole band and kill the" melody. Mr. Herbert. Bloy conducted in a masterly manner, and to his fins musicianship is due the accomplished fact, that the orchestra can essay the works of Liszt, Wagner, and Bept.hovon, and other composers. Mr. J. F. Woodward led the orchestra. The average nrice of admission on last evening's attendance was twopence.