PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 168, 12 April 1920, Page 6

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

_ « FIRST CONCERT OP THE SEASON. The Wellington Professional Orchestra —AA'ellington's mainstay so far as orchestral music is concerned—commenced its 6eason at His Majesty's Theatre last evening, whjn a programme was submitted of a quality to please the, most catholic taste, and one which, rgcncraUy speaking, satisfied the very forgo audience present. The orchestra appsars to 1m a little stronger numerically than last season eo that when it plays together for a few moro .■weeks, tho public may expect a more oven performance than was given lost night. The strings could do with a little more of that sympathy and unanimity, 'born of association, particularly the seconds, who wero not always sure in their work, and were bowing raggedly throughout the evening. As was natural, net hups, the most difficult, number develop?d these weaknesses, notably the "Good Friday" music from Wagner's "Parsifal." Such music requires, nay ■ denial) 'Is, technical expertness of a rare degree, a thorough know, ledge of the inner meaning of the music in order to, in some measure at least, convey the composer's contention.' "hat cannot be accomplished without -xhaustivo rehearsal, and it -is. almost a pity that the orchestra decided to include this music in last evening's programme. Wagner cannot interest or please unless very weffl done. But there were compensations. Tho orchestra was on familiar ground in the festal march from Berlioz's "Damnation of Faust," which was. played with plenty of dash and colour. Admirable, too, was its playing of German's three "Henry VIII" dances, whoso rhythmical lilts and seductivo atmosphere gave, a full measure of delight. "La_ Palonia" (Yradicr) conveys one musically to sunny Spain, languorous, romantic music based on a characteristic melody, pulsating with rhytVym, marked by the pitter-patter of chstenets-. The inclusion of a cor .anglais would have lent colour to the solo combination. Schumann's "Evening Song" {for string* only) was played without,' distinction or tonal security. A very attractive item was a fantasia of airs from "Lakme" (Delibes), an op-jra rich in barbaric splendour, bizarre and alive with airs and graces, reflecting very beautifully tho Lazy aromatic Orient of romance. With a little more rehearsal tho many glowing effects in Delibe's music eouhl b« given with more point and beauty. Finally the orchestra played Svendsuu's wonderfully inspiriting "Norwegian Carnival," music instinct with the joyous clangour of carnival, a !riot of fun and frolic with a song of gladness, first played as a fluto solo, and subsequently taken up by tho full band, and finally, played' by tho cornets against the merry carillon given cut in the opening thyme. This number should lie played again on May 9—tho Prince's week. Mr. H. Moschim conducted with Ms usual success.