SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Evening Star, Issue 21752, 21 June 1934, Page 7

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

ENGAGING CONCERT PROGRAMME MUSIC OF DISTINCTIVE INTEREST Even on paper a Dunedin Symphony Orchestra programme is never a dull afituiv Its composition has always been challenging enough to command immediate interest, and all the concerts of the series have served to amplify that interest. Last night’s—the thirteenth —afforded an admirable example of the distinctive success M. De Rose and his orchestra have achieved iu surmounting the difficulties that must beset them upon such a high musical road as they have invariably chosen. M. De Rose has never taken the line or least resistance in his music, and his rigorous adherence to bis own personal standards have made this organisation what it is to-day—lan orchestra with few. if any, pqers in the whole dominion. . Its leadership in the musical life of the community, of which it is such a stimulating and valuable factor - , cannot be questioned. No one could possibly leave these concerts without a quickening of the artistic sense, even if he were not entirely in concurrence with M. Do Rose's individual interpretations. M,. De Rose might, or might not, have created the pr oper effects in his music—that is purely a matter ot opinion—but no one could deny the peculiar authority with which all his performances are so indelibly stamped. The programme last evening opened with the preludes to the tirst and third acts of ‘ Lohengrin.’ After some slight haziness in the introduction, the mysticism suggested by that great crescendo was delicately conveyed by the strings, the brass joining in with majestic . effect. to picture the Holy Grail shedding its light on earth. The superb melody and tonal splendour of the prelude to the third act, which typifies the festivities 1 following the wedding of Elsa and Lohengrin, were given most vital expression. This was. perhaps the most exhilarating performance of the evening. The Cesar Franck ‘ Symphonic Variations ’■ had a highly skilled soloist in Mrs B. R. Nees (Miss Koa Oliver). Mrs Nees maintained an unerring line in a clear analysis of this music, and the brilliant conversations between pianist and orchestra were given immediate point. It was an uii-' .hesitating, and authoritative exposition of the solo music, with the orchestra finely attuned throughout the, fascinating elaborations. The ‘ Scheherazade ’ symphonic suite of Rimsky Korsakoff, a masterly imaginative work of deep technical ■ and .interpretative complexities, was perhaps the most exacting test the orchestra has ever had. And it was a performance not of credit, but of definite distinction. The foiif tales from the Thousand and One Nights, the setting of Rimsky Korsakoff’s.most arresting tone' pictures, were each accorded a particular vitality iu colouring. Some.of the solo instruments were occasionally not altogether happy in their music, but the orchestra in concert was a unified force that expressed with keen sensitivity the vivid suggestions of the composer. The second part of the programme presented lighter works that rounded off the evening very acceptably. First" in the opening group was the effervescing Scherzo (Op; 16, No. 2) by Mendelssohn, deftly played by the strings. This set off the sweep and flowing melody of Godard’s ‘ Adagio Pathetique ’ (Op. 128, No. 3). which in turn gave place to the ■wild ‘ Gopak ’ by Moussorgsky. Its strongly marked rhythms and melodic brightness exercised a very popular appeal. Concluding the programme was a selection of airs frdni ‘ Cav’alleria Rusticaua,’ an opera always sure of a cordial reception. Miss Florence Pacey was the only vocalist on this programme, and, struggling against the handicap of a severe cold, sang with considerable spirit a group composed of the waltz song from Sir Edward German’s ‘ ’Tom Jones,’ Zardo’s ‘ To the Angels ’ (a ’cello obgiigato being played by Mr Lloyd Hunter in this), and Bantock’s ‘ Lament of Isis.’ Miss Marjory M‘Dowell was the accompanist. A word of. congratulation is due the leader, Mr J. A, Mml lace, who came through a heavy night's work impeccably.