PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 251, 18 July 1921, Page 8

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

MOVEMENT FROM TSCHAIKOVSKY FIFTH SYMPHONY. The Professional Orchestra last evening, under the baton of Mr. Henry Moschini, played, amongst other items, the “Andante” from the beautiful Fifth Symphony of Tscliaiko vsky. The orchestra, which has improved wonderfully since its regrettable failure with “Richard 111,/' the morbid Volkmann opus, dealt with the Symphony: movement in a commendable manner. The Fifth Symphony is condemned by noted critics, as Mr. Aloschini explained, because it Iffis not a plethora of “contrapuntal dexterity, fidelity to form.” Nevertheless, lovers of tho Russian composer, and those to whom symphonies meqn more than mere compositions, consider the Fifth a very groat achievement. The fearer is, in the andante, held spellbound by the beautiful theme, which is developed first by the horn soloist, and its great wealth of music is brought out to the fullest extent in tho soft tones of the brass instrument. As it develops, woodwind, 'cellos, and violins creep into the work, and tell tho audience what tho composer intends to mean, without the orchestral embroidery of a Beethoven or a Wagner. Last night the orchestra played the movement especially well, the brass as usual being excellent. Another enjoyable item was the “Triumphal March” (Mancinelli’s “Cleopatra”;. Not ro long ago one heard tho orchestra play the overture to the opera, scarcely known in New Zealand musical circles, and the prevailing theme was recognised in one of the march movements. Mancinelli proved himself a master of brass effects in his orchestral scores, and the trumpet fanfare was brilliantly played by the brass last evening. The dainty little prelude from “Traviata” (Verdi) was encored, and another old friend was Sibelius’s “Valse Triste,” much enjoyed by the large audience. Fbur characteristic waltzes by Coderidg-a-Taylor received delicate treatment, the “Valse do la Heine** being a particularly fine work, enhanced by Mr. Aloschini’s interpretation. .“King Stephen,” the brilliant Beethoven overture, was a lifting end to a good concert.