MUSICAL EVENING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 112, 2 August 1927, Page 4

MUSICAL EVENING

LYCEUM CLUB

The musical circle of the Lyceum Club, under the convenorship of Miss E. Kent, held an open evening last night, when Mr. C. B. Plummer produced a most entertaining gramophone programme. His hearers were greatly interested in his demonstrations of the exceptional qualities of a locally-made machine, and the records used on it were undoubtedly heard to great advantage. The programme was a varied one, ranging from a London symphony orchestra item to a Hawaiian air on a Kimball organ, and the evening proved all too short for the audience.

Miss Ellen Melville, a vice-president of the club, welcomed Mr. Plummer and introduced him to the members present.

A three-sided recording of Dance No. 17 from Borodin’s “Prince Igor” made an impressive opening item. This was followed by solos from “Oterllo” and “Aida” by Rose Poncelle, and a splendid rendering of “The Sorrows of Death,” by Evan Williams, one of the greatest baritones the world has known. A delightful pianoforte solo by Friedman, “Viennese Dance,” was of peculiar interest, and one of the most enjoyable records was that of the Andante movement from Schubert’s No. 1 Trio, played by Cortot, Thiebaud and Cassals, a combination of talent which could not otherwise be heard. The complete Tomb Scene from “Aida” was very effective, and the amazing volume of tone from the recording instrument was apparent in the grand organ solo by Dupre, the master French organist, the item chosen being Cesar Franck’s “Piece Heroiqne.”

Among those present were Miss Melville, Miss Ktrnt, Mrs. C. Keeble, Mrs. Ely, Mrs. Oxley, Mrs. Robertson, Mrs. I-lunter, Mrs. Billington, Mrs. J. F. Montague, Mrs. C. Montague, Miss Alice Law, Miss Etta Field, Miss Berta Carr, Miss Florence Walker, Miss King, Misses Wilma and Dean Plummer, Miss Bagnall and Miss Montague.