ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1919, 29 November 1913, Page 13

ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

CROWDED MATINEE CONCERT, Tho very unusual spectacle—for Wellington—of the large Town Hall being packed for a week-day matinee conceit was presented to tlio oyo when tho Royal Artillery Band, passing through here en route to Auckland to fill its engagement at tho Auckland Exhibition, giivo an afternoon performance to ,a_ delighted audience. Tho experience of the night before, when nearly 2000 pcoplo were unable to get seats for the first concert by this famous military band, gavo every indication that the matinee concert would bo well supported by tlio public, but tho extent to which this. expectation was realised went far beyond anticipations. The hall was filled. Tlio programme was an _ excellent selection, attractively varied, and in its performance an inspiring test of tho band's musicianship, and tlio interpretive capacity of Mr. S.tretton, its conductor.

__ Tlio band opened with Sir Edward Elgar's imposing march, "Pomp and. Circumstance," and its performance •HisK an admirable expression of the title, Then followed Welter's brilliant and rich overture to "Oberou" —one of tho finest overtures of its class—magnificently performed. Othorjiotablo items of a memorable programme included a. delightful minuet; of Paderouski's, in which tlio reed instruments were a treat to listen to; and Lissst's First Hungarian Rhapsody—tastefully and expressively played. Ono of tlio most charming of selections wan Scharwenlca's lively Polish Dancc (No. 1), while Titowatter's well-known "Grand Valso de Concert"— brilliant _ and vivacious—was another item which appealed to the popular taste. Nor must be forgotten koiho mention of tlio hand's splendid performance in tlio Gounod suite from "La Heine do Saba," a selection from Verdi's "Aida," a selection from "Tamihauser," and a pot pourri of Sullivan, containing attractivo excerpts from the bestknown operas by tho famous Gilbert and Sullivan partnership. Tlio bawl left for Auckland by tho evening express.