Palmerston Orchestral Society.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 14, 16 July 1896, Page 2

Palmerston Orchestral Society.

A large and fashionable audience greeted the Palmerston North Orchestral Society on their first appearance in Feilding last evening, when those present were favored with a musical treat the equal of which they have not had the pleasure of listening to for many a day. The orchestra was numerically strong and the music excellent, the harmony being as perfect as the severest critic could desire. The members of the Society deserve overy credit for the high state of proficiency they have attained, the accomplishment of which must have entailed a considerable amount of trouble as well as time, and the Society would have found a difficulty in securing a more competent conductor than Mr M. Cohen, whose abilities as a musician are fully recognised, The concert opened with a pretty Gavotte (composed by Mr Guuter) by the orchestra, who had to respond to an encore. This was followed by the instrumental trio " Allegro vivace from No. 1 trio " (Mendelsoln) by Messrs Dumaresq and Cohen (violins), and Gunter (piano), their interpretation of the beautiful masterpiece being perfect. Mr Hunn's powerful voice was heard to advantage in the song " Hybrias the Cretan," but the encore piece, " The Old Cremona," did not go quite so well although it was considerably better than songs given by the average amateur. In the latter piece the violin obligato was played by Mr Cohen. " Souvenir D'Allemagne " was given by Mr J. C. R. Isherwood as a violin solo, the interpretation being very good. Miss Isherwood played the pianoforte accompaniment. The symphony " Adagio Moderato Allegro Con Brio," "Andante Cautabile," "Adagio and Allegro vivace " (Beethoven) by the orchestra was remarkably well performed, as, also, wag the gavotte '■ Snowflake "in opening the second part. The solo " Waiting " by Mrs Kendall was a very pleasing item and an encore was demanded, "Coming thro the Rye " being given in response. This lady has a rich voice and her enunciation is very good, both songs being well received. Mr Permain was, also, successful with the song " Will-o'-the-Wisp " and responded to an encore with " Out on the Deep." The selections " Paraphrase on Der Freischutz (Weber) and " Boccacio," from Suppe's opera (E. Audibert) were given by the orchestra, the latter being loudly applauded and a portion was repeated as an encore. The concert concluded with " God save the Queen," after Mr Cohen, on behalf of the Society, had thanked the audience for their attendance, and announced that another concert would be given at some future date. Mr Isherwood acted as leader, and Mr Gunter and Mrs Fitsherbert presided at the piano. The audience were liberal in their applause of each of the items, and one and all readily acknowledged that the concert last evening was one of the best ever given in Feilding, and should this Society favor Feilding with another visit we have no hesitation in predicting that there will be quite as large if not a better, attendance, as this Society would compare favorably with any similar Society in New Zealand.