THE ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1979, 9 February 1914, Page 8

THE ROYAL ARTILLERY BAND.

FOUR VVEEC-END CONCERTS, SUNDAY AT THE PARK, During the weekTeiid the band of the Eoyal Artillery lias given four splendid concerts in Wellington, two at the Athlctic Park, in daylight, and two at the Town Hall. Lot it be said initially that his iino organisation—a sectiononly of the full band—is heard to much | better advantage within closed Walls i than in the open air, -and in that re-! gard tho exact reverse is the ease with i an all-brass band. The wood-wind preponderance mate for lightness of tone, I which does liot carry nearly so far as J the grosser tone of a, brass band. Re- ■ fineme-nt and delicacy, a buoyant verve, precision in attack and release, and beautiful shading are among tho virtues possessed by the hand, but it is within closed walls that one can appreciate the true measure of excellence that is attained by this superb organisation, and it is to the credit, of tho public that on each occasion they have shown' enthusiastic appreciation of tho rare musical treat afforded.. No fault can be found with tho programme selected for the Wellington season. They in- ■ corporate g-ood . music to pleaso all tastes, and in no easo docs the shoddy or commonplace in music find entrance. The first of tho last four concerts was given i» the Athletie oil.Saturday afternoon in tho presence of some 2000 to 2500 people. Tho character of the programme was distinctly operatic. It opened with, the fine march from Gounod's seMom-played opera, ''La Reins de Saba" (played .in England under the title of "Irene"). Though tho opera has dropped out of modem repertoires it contains soma beautiful music, including this march and some delightful "Airs do Ballet." The interpretation ■ given the march was glorious!? invigorating—the compact tons balance, tho unwavering confidence in attack, and the splendid unanimity aiid polished musicianship of all concerned dispelled criticism. A selection from Mendelssohn's Lieder Qlme Morte," was beautifully played, dainty and refined treatment being accorded to tho charming melodies, including tho "Spring Song.", Dvorak's, "Humotiresko" wa? delightfully played, and tho treatment accorded to the "'Tannhausor" overture was uplifting in its musical exaltation. In the overture the work of the band's fine- group of clarinets was. remarkable as a.-sustained effort as well as for the spirit of unity which characterised their playing of the long accompanying runs to the "Pilgrims' Chorus." Tho number was enthusiastically applauded... In the second half it was a sheer delight to hear olico more Defile's sparkling "Coppelia'/ ballet music, made familiar histrionically so rccf.ntly by the incomparable Gence. Tho programme also included an entrancing "Cradle Song" b/ Brahms, Mid one of that Composer's "Hungarian Dances," an excellent arrangement of scenes from "Cavalliera Kustfoana" played with rare dramatis intuition, and the familiar overture to "Zampa" (Herald). At. the conclusion of the concert the applause was hearty and sustained, and one enthusiast called for cheers for the band, but such was tho surprise- of the audtcmco at anything so unconventional being done that lie found himself practically a soloist. Tho Towa Hall was comfortably filled on Saturday night, when a highly delectable programme was presented. This included Elgar's symphonic "Fompand Circumstance,'' which has all tlie "swinjr of a-.military march without the. sacrifice of any musical, virtues. Tho scenes from .Wagner's "Lohengrin," including the preludes to Acta I. and 111, Leliteftgnn's. sonsj(the- bridal eho'rUs'ahd march, and titer finale of Act 1, was r&ptaronsjy received by a delighted audience. The. overture tin "Migiion," the music of which is alive with fantastic and fairy-like suggestion was played with rare daintiness and elan. The first half of tho programme concluded with Grieg's wonderfully grotesque and dramatic ".Peer Gfnt" suite (four movements), the weird themes and harmonies of which the band coloured wonderfully. ■ The delirious whirl of music that forms the finale to the "Dance of Imps in the Hall of the Kings" made the largo audience 'oi'azy with delight, and the movement had to be repeated, l'oiiciiielli, a successful writer of opera, wild flourished in Italy some forty .years ago, was represented b? a selection from "La Gtoeonda," a melodious work of the lighter Italian school. Padcrewski's "Mcnuct" was played with airy delicacy, and a'selection of Schumann's songs were beautifully intoned. Chopin's martial *'Polonaise MiJitaire," a work of inspired splendour, was gloriouslj s played. THE SUNDAY CONCERTS. BIG GATHERING AT THE PARK". After the recent controversy on tho subject of. charging for admission to the Sunday afternpon concert at Atheltic Park, and the final decision of the council (by one vote) to allow a charge to be made, it was interesting to note the manner in which tho innovation was received, as evidenced by yesterday's: "gate." Between SOO'O and 6000 people visited tho Park to hear the band; The : audience included His Excellency the Governor (Lord Liverpool), Viscount and KcSbitrii, General and -Mrs. i Godley, and several members of tho ! City Council. _ Tho programme was dis- ! tiiictly operatic in flavour, but was of 1 the highest staiidai-d. It. was a real treat to hoar the "La Rcine de Saba" { suite. Though Gounod's opera, was. a failure, these, enchanting "Airs d« Ballet", will always find a place in the repertoire of every orchestral band. The delicate fibre of Weber's lacework music in the overture to "Oberou" was rather lost in the open air, the tone of the French horns and oboe being too thin to bo effective,' On the other hand,, the "Samson, and Delilah" (SaintSaens) selection,, in which the brass sec-* tion is heavily worked, was heard to the very best effect, the beauty and ■glamour 'of the music of this oncebanned work being apparent to the' dullest cars. Tiro aria "Moil Coour S'ouvre a ta Vcix" was played With rare sympathy and 'finish by the solo comet. As an eneoro the band played charmingly tho alluring Barcarolle from "The Talcs of Hoffman" (Offenbach). Other ■ numbers included a "Taunhanser" and fantasia, Scharmerka's bizarre "Polish Dance" (No. 1), some scenes from Bizet's "Carmen r ' {which aroused immense enthusiasm),' "The Ktisary," arranged as a cornet solo, and greatly enjoyed by the crawd, and Von Sunpe's "Light- Cavalry" overture. The Sunday evening concert in tho Town Hall was given before an audience numbering over three thousand. Bv the time the doors were first opened, at 7 o'clock, tome fifteen hundred people, had gathered outside. The doors were closed and opened at intervals afterwards in an attempt to regulate the crush, but these- efforts met with poor success. Two or three pflliofenien and tho Town Hall custodian {Mr. Leslie) and his assistants battled bravely with tlio invasion, but periodically crowds swept in with a. rush. Before 8 o'clock ■, the hall was crammed to its capacity, while. many hundreds of dssappoint&l people were left outside to contemplate the- closed doors. All the entrances were besieged and a number of men climbed over the Mercer Street fence in order to seek Admittance by the stage door or to hear the strains of mvisie that floated through'the open windows. Tho items of a lengthy programme were rendered by the band in the,masterly fashion for which it is famous, and'a number of items were eftcored, while all were'received with en-

thusiastic appreciation. It is understood that tho collection taken at the doors amounted to only about £50., the sinallness of tie total being accounted for by the impossibility of securing an orderly entrance of tlso audience. SUNDAY~COKCERTS. AND THE OHABGE FOR ADMISSION [B? SYmus.] One way of answering the question as to the propriety of allowing a charge for admission to- bo made to Sunday concerts was the presence, of at least about 5000 people in the Athletic Park yesterday afternoon, when the band of tho Royal Artillery provided a high-class concert in .faultless style. There may bo those who will sav that this is no argument in favour of a charge being made. I do not put it forward as an argument, but merely.-as a fact—a fact that the public recognises that they cannot expect anything for nothing. Even the bands which conduce to heavy ■ tramway receipts _at • I*}'all Oiy occasionally, arc subsidised by tho council ' (i.e., the people), and tlio public lias to pay them for their services through the ! somewhat clouded avenue of tho rates. [ That is merely saying that there has ' always been a charge to the Sunday ; concerts given under the .auspices of tho council. If the council wishes to test tho matter, let it decide to withdraw the subsidy, and see how many actually ' "free" concert* would bo given, Very interesting indeed is the position the City Council has placed itself in ; by allowing a charge to ho made at the ' gates of the Athletic Park tes- ' terday. Here is a concert pro-. Dieted and givon under the auspices of the Executive of the Aiiek- [ kind Industrial Exhibition (which by the way is daid to hare, netted well over ' four figures clesir profit <»n concerts given by the band in New Zealand prior ; to tho opening of the Exhibition), and it [ reflects credit on the acumen of . that i my shrewd executive and its head (Mr. Geo. Elliott) to conceive tho idea o.f fur- ; ther augmenting- tho funds of the Ext liibition by giving Sunday (and other) j concerts in Wellington and elsewhere, L not "without money and without price." I Let it be clearly understood that the ; band benefits 110 more, by tlhese concerts 5 than if they were playing under tho . trees in the. Exhibition grounds. Their j return fares from London and a fixed j scale of wages are paid—no more. So . that there is no sentiment in the matv ter. It is tho Exhibition executive > which is out to make the best monetary I us® of the band during the ten days of f so that Auckland*is filled with other I, bandsm®ni who doubtless would have I ' been moro interested than any other , section of the community to hear the . crack English band in action. , i That being tho case, how can the . council in the fututo' refuse thfe request t of bodies like the Wellington Profes- , sional Orchestra to diarge straight out ' for admission to their Sunday concert!? , during the winter months Hero,was a | most deserving, body seeking io play the ! highest class of music for its own and the public's pleasure, stoking not to l make profits, hut to pay the expenses p of rehearsals, halls, advertising, and > music. And it was point blank refused s permission to make any sort of | charge. Indeed-, tho council went t furtiher. It would not allow r the orchestra to reserye a block of [ seats in the Town Hall for those citizens; f who were, in the interest af good iuusM, r prepared to pay a small annual subl scription. It may bq said—Why not hold tho concerts oil a week' night? 1 This is easily disposed of by answering . that the Wellington Professional 0F- ; chestra is largely composed of members f wiio are engaged in playing at theatres i 'during the week, so that tliey by; p!ay- . ing on Sunday nights, are sacrificing , tho only night off they have, during the ' weak. They sought in t-lie humblest , way to ineuleato a love oi .good music 1 by entertaining the public after church ; hours on Sunday, and were discouraged ■ at every turn by the municipal body i which has gone out of its way to swell ■ tho credit balance of tho Auckland Bst hibition. s Tinder these circupistnnres one must I state that tho actioii of the Mayor has [ at least been consistent, "but whether • h® is right is 'quite another matter. . He recently said something to the ef- . feet that a charge was not made for : rtdmisiiion to Sunday concerts in Lon- ■ don. . Let him try to sccuro a good i. sent, for nothing, at any of the- Sunday • League's concerts, and see how much i music he will hear. . I turn to the LouI don "Morning Post" of Saturday, J)e- ---■ cember 20, attd thero read/ [ "Queen's Hall to-moitow, 3.30:_ Is., Is. 6d., 25.. 6d.i 35,, ss. Admission, free. Hobert Newman, . 32.0 Regent i Street., W., manner 'for -tho Sunday ■■ Coneert Society." The "admission . free" refers to a block of seals at the . back of the gallery, but >every.one in, 1 .London knows thai, payment is necessary, and the advertisement tells .them ii&w much is needed to gaifl them adniiitanco to eacii part of the. lialL