HIGH QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE

Southland Times, Issue 24235, 19 September 1940, Page 8

HIGH QUALITY OF PERFORMANCE

CONCERT BY MUSIC TEACHERS DIVERSIFIED PROGRAMME PRESENTED The concert presented in the Civic •Theatre last night by Invercargill music teachers was an outstanding success. Not only did the individual artists maintain a high standard of performance, but the diversity of the items was such that the programme could not fail to please the audience. There was a good attendance and the committee hopes that the objective of £63 will be reached. A flag collection taken up during the concert realized £l4/13/9. The proceeds of the concert are to be given to the emergency precautions scheme and the St. John Ambulance Association for the purchase of necessary equipment. . . Playing in spirited style and giving full effect to light and shade, the Invercargill Orchestral Society, under the conductorship of Mr W. J. Ferguson, pleased the audience with its two items, the “Barber of Seville” and the “Poet and Peasant” overtures. Both are well known and the audience was able to appreciate fully the quality of the performance. The orchestra was well balanced and all the sections were able to hold their own without obtruding in any way. The result was a finished performance. The orchestra was perhaps at its best in the more vigorous passages, and the manner in which the players worked up to the climaxes reflected the ability of the conductor. The combined church choirs and the Invercargill Philharmonic Choir were heard in the “Jerusalem” and “Hallelujah” choruses. More than 100 singers were on the stage, and the conductor, Mr L. E. Dailey, had a fine volume of sound to draw upon. The singing in the forte passages was powerful and impressive and contrasted delightfully with those passages that demanded subdued singing. Raggedness was almost entirely absent, and indeed the precision with which the selections were sung was a feature of the performance.

PIANOFORTE MUSIC The standard of the pianoforte playing showed very clearly that Invercargill is not lacking in musical talent. The popular “Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 2,” by Liszt, was played in captivating style by Miss M. Searle and Miss M. Fitzgerald. The players combined effectively and the quality of the tone in the quieter passages was most impressive. The theme was also well developed. Employing good technique and revealing a delightful touch, Miss Mary Gilbert was heard to advantage in Liszt’s transcription of Paganini’s “Etude No. 5.” Miss Gilbert’s tone was always pure and in every respect her playing was polished. A double duo was performed by Misses D. Anderson, J. Rose, S. Gough and J. Horrell, pupils of the O’Byrne School of Music. The item chosen was “Invitation to the Waltz” and the players entered into the spirit of the piece. The playing went with a swing from start to finish and the standard of performance was uniformly high.

The vocal items were of a varied and entertaining nature and all the singers were in good voice. Mr Alex Wilson, the possessor of a pleasing voice, sang two numbers, “Full Sail” and '‘‘There’ll Always Be An England,” and made a good impression. Mr Dailey was most effective in “Cavatina,” by Faust. “Daffodil Gold” and “Love the Jester” were sung by Miss Margaret Casey in artistic style. “To A Wild Rose” was sung by a trio, Misses M. and G. Hunter and M. Arnott, and their interpretation was outstanding. Two songs, “Sing, Break Into Song,” and “Where The Bee Sucks,” were sung by Mrs J. Rattray, who showed that she possessed a good range.

ELOCUTIONARY ITEMS “Happy is England Now” was the recitation chosen by Miss Mary Thomson. Her choice was a happy one and it was evident from her performance that she had a good understanding of the finer points of elocution. Miss Ismay Fenn was very popular in her elocutionary item entitled “Mrs Arris Knits a Jumper.” This item appealed very much to the audience. Grace was the predominant note of the dancing items. They were refreshing interludes and popular with the audience. The clansman’s sword dance was performed by Misses Nannie McLeod, Athol McCrostie, Rita Troon and Marjorie Brown and the same dancers took part in the reel o’tulloch. An operatic ballet was also presented. The dancers were the pupils of the Southland School of Highland and Classic Dancing. During the evening Mr A. Wachner made an appeal for funds for the St. John Ambulance Association and the emergency precautions scheme and emphasized how essential it was that the necessary equipment should be provided. A vote of thanks to the music teachers and performers was expressed by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr J. R. Martin). Much credit for the success of the concert is due to Mr Alex Sutherland, stage manager and organizer, and to Mr Charles Martin, the accompanist. A demonstration of the work of the St. John Ambulance Association was. staged during the evening.