PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 218, 9 June 1919, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT. / Critics would have no cause for complaint if all Sunday concerts approached the' high standard achieved by the Wellington Professional Orchestra, whoso performances are invariably delightful. Last evening's concert attracted an audieuco which filled every seat at His Majesty's. Theatre, and the highly delectable programme left 90 per cent, of those present hungry for more. An unfailing atI raction\ is Tschaikovsky's "1812 Symphony," tho great war poem 'composed to the order of the Tsar of Russia in '. commemoration ■ of one of tho greatest nets of national'sacrifice made by any people to save their' country. It is not nocessary to describe this showy, but im : mensely stimulating, work, 60 well know* to all concert-lovers. It has been performed many times by mauj- aud vnnousi combinations, and its flamboyant glories never stale. The orchestra, assisted bv tho band of tho New Zealand Natives' Association, gave a very acceptable performance of., tho work on tho whole, though the terii'po in somo of tho lniddla' passages could have been speeded up with effect, passages in-which/there was at times a suspicion of'drag. Tho crashing finale was splendidly worked up, thank 3 to a very eapablo brass section, and (ho joyous clangour in which the symphony ends was spiritedly represented. The orchestra also played a very attractive fantasia from Verdi's "Aida —tho most majestic of all his operas—due prominence being given to tho splendid march, nobly conceived, which was played with fine imprcssiveuess. Beethoven we 6 reprosonted',!>y his wonderfully stimulating overture to "King Stephen," a very notable aud stimulating work, which tlw orchestra played with marked confidence. In this nieco tho attack and release were admirable. Exquisite point and delicacy marked the playing of that quaiut patrol "Tho Marcli of tho Little AVoodon Soldiers," with ils oddly concoiTcd flute solo (very well played, by the way), and pmiento trimmings. Tho encore domnnded was thoroughly deserved.' A Dvorak -"Nocturne" for strings, "loni drawn-out sweetness" iu a souihrn mood, was fairly well playcn. and Schubert's "Soronndd," the cool moonlight beauty of which is alwnvs so appealing, was also woll ulavod. the solo being allotted to Mr. W. 11. Bowman (leading cornet), who commands a fine round tone, quite, free of anv suspicion of blatnncy. Mr. 11. Moschini conducted with his usual care and metronomic fidelity. v .