SYMPHONY CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 123, 26 May 1937, Page 13

SYMPHONY CONCERT

NEW WORK PERFORMED , ' Special interest attached to the Wellington Symphony . Orchestra's performance last night. It was the first concert of the season and the programme included a tone ;. poem by a New Zealand composer, Mr. Douglas Lilburn,, The. title given to the work was "Forest;" an apt choice if the'inspiration of the New Zealand bush was felt by the composer and expressed by him in terms of music. "Forest" was placed first among works by; New Zealand composers competing for a prize given by Mr. Percy Grainger I'or an original composition. There would be two-ways-of,approach to this work, one open to those equipped with technical -knowledge ' antt the other open to those without it but having the capacity to listen with'interest and pleasure to a musical work, though unqualified to describe yin appropriate language its construction and intrica,'cies. With no statistical information to go upon it is impossible to say what "percentage of the listeners to I "Forest" »w"ere musically trained, and what had -not- that advantage, but it seems safe to assume that the latter were ■in the great ' majority at the hearing of this original work. The official description of. "Forest" stated that "the opening theme is announced by the strings followed by a long passage beginning in the solo strings and wind instruments against a pizzicato ground bass developing gradually into a -tutti over a swaying horn pedal in the middle register. This leads into a chromatic passage for tremolo strings, through which the brass forces its way and-re-establishes the' opening theme. The violins introduce a sombre melody which is enriched by, counterpoint .in the woodwind before the mood changes to one of lightness. Near the end _of the work the theme works down into the bass strings, prelude to a sudden final statement of the leading motif. The closing bars are sustained and peaceful." To these remarks may be added that "Forest" came to many as an exceedingly, beautiful work, cleverly orchestrated, and original in that it bore no resemblance, to a patchwork quilt of other comppsers' ideas, although at times thoughts of some listeners may have wandered to Sibelius as the work, .proceeded.. "Forest!1 is modern music-iri-the sense .that its "composer is barely in his twenties, but it is-not, modern if that often -vague description be applied to compositions remarkable for their ;lack of appeal to the-int'ellect; and 'emotions'of the musically, unlearned" however interesting .they maybe to the trained musician. It .was admirably performed by .the orchestra. "Forest' may be the prelude ■ for the yet. un* written "Zealandia" symphony, in, any case many who heard it last night would,' no: doubt,', like-to"hear it rej- . When the composer was .called for,1 Mr;'Lilburn appeared.with evident reluctance, as ■ a worker, not a' talkei', and he bowed and went off,.to,.return in response to -the continued applause of the audience, and that applause.had 'a: genuine ring about it. - - The -concert opened with the "Prometheus" overture of Beethoven and closed with,a brilliant,performance of Liszt's. Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 2, in which the orchestrajwhich had played remarkably well throughout the concert; let itself go, and that with splendid results. -■■ ■■■•■■ ■•" ' •■..-' r '. Madame de.Mauny was.the soloist in Schumann's Concerto for pianoforte and orchestra...She had already been heard in the. first movement of this glorious work, but last- night the concerto was played in :, its entirety. Her playing was-crisp and clear and'her touch sympathetic and so far. as the pianoforte was concerned'she brought out all the romance and brilliancy, in the Work. She was vigorously applauded and twice recalled. The orchestra distinguished itself 'on this - occasion and the quality of the! strings in the third -movement was exquisite. Mr. de Mauny had reason to be gratified with the ready response' made to his comr mands- by every section: ■■--■-. ; The "Jupiter" Symphony of Mozart preceded the concerto. It was a performance notable for its. strength and refinement and sound musicianship.- : . The audience was not as large as the fine programme would lead anyone to 'expect, but it was in perfect, accord with the conductor''arid the performers and had evidently made up its mind beforehand to thoroughly enjoy the generous fare-provided. It-was not disappointed. . The leader of' the orchestra was Miss Ava Syraong..