MUNICIPAL CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 14

MUNICIPAL CONCERT

NIGHT WITH BEETHOVEN

Selections from the massive works of Beethoven were the principal part of the concert given by the Municipal Band in the Town Plall last evening. Mr. Christopher Smith, with his fine forces well balanced and controlled, presented a programme of wide range, and the selections, ranging from the most impressive to the lightest, were treated with admirable understanding. Beethoven was represented by two selections, his work providing the major numbers. The first was the famous “Egmont" overture. The great drama of the music was interpreted magnificently, and the heavy speeding climax was treated with majestic power. Godfrey’s excellent arrangement of selections known as

“Reminiscences of Beethoven” gives a fair idea of the almost illimitable extent of Beethoven’s musical genius. Excerpts from the cantata, “The Mount of Olives,” the song “Adelaide,” “The Turkish March,” and “The Ruins of Athens,” showed his extraordinary skill in the handling of various forms. Then came the finad revelation of gradeur. when portions of some of the great symphonies were played. Other numbers played were: “The Dance of the Hours” (Ponchielli), “The Turkish Patrol” (Michaelis), “Cavalry of the Clouds” (Alford), and “Reminiscences All Nations” (Godfrey). The instrumental soloists were Mr. Fred Bowes, who played Code’s brilliant “Zelda” on the cornet, and Mr. Hal. McLennan, who played on the flute, “By the Brook” (Wetzger). The vocal numbers were given by Miss Sarah Stagpoole. a young singei making her first appearance at a municipal concert. She has a voice of finn range, and quality, and there is a

splendid richness in the lower register. Her numbers were: “Homing* (Del Riegro), “Lament of Isis” (Bantock), and “O Western Wind” (Brahe)