BESSES O' TH’ BARN BAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2070, 3 May 1907, Page 2

BESSES O' TH’ BARN BAND.

The third, concert of tho Gisborne icasou of this famous band was given at His .Majesty's Theatre, yesterday afternoon, when tho weather conditions were very much more favorable than on the opening day. The hand was in excellent form throughout the performance and the thorough appreciation of their efforts, was marked l>y tho emphatic applause accorded every item submitted. Shutting the eyes while listening to tho band the illusion of one great organ, or musical combination, instead of many co-related parts composing tho one great whole, is overwhelming and complete. Not the faintest suspicion of a discord, or tho slightest variation of the time, occurred to mar tlie effect produced on the mind by the nervous tension of the concentration necessary for tho thorough assimilation of this materialised “music of the spheres.” Altogether the technique of the “Bosses” bordered upon tbo marvellous when compared with the mediocre attempts so frequently encountered. Many in tho audience were demonstrative in their approbation and encored vociferously, but others who nevertheless felt just as enthusiastically, sat silent iu rapt and awed attention, drinking in to the full tho exquisite strains and fearing it seemed to break the concord and

cause the spell to dissolve into thin air. A noteworthy feature of the performance was the flawless rendering of the crescendo passages, the increasing volume of sound being perpectly and gracefully produced.

Tlio march “Honest Toil” (Rimmer) commenced this afternoon’s entertainment followed by the. overture to Rossini’s “Italiana in Algeria.” The latter wasimperatively encored, when the majectic hymn “Lead Kindly Light,” was given. The cornet solo “Fairies of the Waters” (Hartman) by Mr. L 5. Haliain, was heartily applauded, and ill response to an encore, “Night in Switzerland” (an echo effect) was submitted and received enthusiastically. 'The selection. “Cinq Mars” (Gounod), concluded the first part of the performance. The raise “Weudisehe Weizen” (Gungl) was the first item on the secon dlialg, followed by the selection “Reminiscences of Telia ikowskv,” arranged by S. Douglas. The two other items submitted were, the Intermezzo “Imperial” (11. Roche) and the Fantasia “Fchos of Scotland” (Stewart). EVENING PERFOR MANGE. The band commenced its fourth concert last evening to a packed house, and the enthusiasm shown by the large audience went far to remove the impression that a Gisborne audience could not appreciate music of a high order. It is a fact that they can and do so, but it takes a revelation in the world of music, like a visit from the Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, to -thoroughly convince them of the fact. From the time the curtain was rung up, to the moment the last strains of the melody ceased, the audience were spirited away into the mystic realms of musieland, and listened in enchantment to the souls of tlio composers speaking each to each from the keys of the glittering instruments, that rose ami fell in perfect obedience to the baton of the conductor. “From grave to gay. from lively to severe,” from soft plaintive passages that beat at one’s heartstrings, to the soul-stirring chords that filled the building like a mighty choir singing an anthem, from the rhythmic strains of the lover’s waltz to the martial clank of armour, the rattle of cannon and the war-notes of the combatants, the Besses passed with an easy indifference, the seeming incongruity of the selections being atoned for by the excellence of the performance. To attempt to criticise the performance of the Besses would he a presumption that no one but the veriest neophyte would attempt, or perhaps the editor of a musical magazine. Suffice it to sa.v that the Besses appealed to the innermost cravings of the music-lover, setting every fibre of his nature aglow with a responsive thrill, that echoed back the glad messages none tlio less sweeter though imperfectly understood. The impressions left by the Besses o’ tli’ Barn Band will remain long after .the performers have scattered to their Lancashire homes, and lessons that the band has taught will live and bear fruit when the brilliant combination has passed into tlio twilight land of half forgotten memories. The simple, and popular old English melodies known to all wherever the atlas is painted Vermillion. assume a deeper meaning, and a stronger bold upon the people when cntcrprctcd by the Besses. Likewise the works of the great masters have boon brought nearer and their thoughts and expressions made clear. The programme submitted last evening commenced with the march “Cossack” (Rimmer). Tlio overture to “Zampa” (Herold) received an imperative encore, the Band responding with “Salutation”. (Clements), The cornet solo “Abide With Mo” (Liddell) by Mr. T. G. Moore, with its effective accompaniment, was given an imperative encore. “The Triplet Polka” was supplemented. The selection “Heroic” (Weber) preceded the interval. The waltz “Estudianti--11a” (Waldtenfel) was cordially encored and the Court dance “Queen Elizabeth” (Ord Hume) was given. The selection from " The Earl and tlio Girl” (Garyll) was also encored and the Band replied with “Lead Kindly Light”, and as tile audience were still unsatisfied they gave the second setting of this grand old hymn. The trombone solo “Lend Me Your Aid (Gounod) by Mr. W. Lawson, had t<. be supplemented with “Alice, Where.. Art Thou” (Asclmi^--bt>H>-'r w vrPr~nbThe Fantasia, •"Memories of Britain” (Rburner) was the last item or. the programme. “God Save the King” being supplemented as an encore piece.

TO-NIGHT’S PI?OG I?AMJIE. 'l’lie programme for tills evening will be’: —March, “Til nnlia user” (Wagner); Overture, “Crown Diamonds” (Auber); Cornet Solo, “Hesses o’ tli" Barn” (Clement). Mr. T. G. Moore; Selection, “Meyerbeer” (Arr. by Swift); Valse “Ajeeia” (I?nymond); Selection, “Faust” (Gounod); Trombone Solo, “Ora Pro Nobis (Piccolomini), Air. ■. Bowling; I‘autasia, “Ould Ireland” (Hare).