BRIGHT BAND CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 733, 5 August 1929, Page 15

BRIGHT BAND CONCERT

PROGRAMME BY MUNICIPAL BAND As a compliment to the presence iu j Auckland of a unit of the French ; Navy, the programme presented by Mr. ■ Christopher Smith and the Municipal ' Band at the Town Hall on Saturday j evening had a strong French flavour. | “The Marseillaise” and other French i ; national songs being played. The programme presented was of a i varied nature and fairly popular, al- ■ though, at the same time, of a good stndard. In many respects it was a very happy medium. The “Barber of Seville” overture with its bubbling gaiety was contributed with fine spirit, and it constituted a very appropriate opening number. Also received with appreciation ! was Ituperto Chapi’s Moorish suite, j “The Courts of Granada.” It is a number of pleasing contrasts, and with skilful exploitation of light and sliado the band gave an enjoyable interpretation. The “Introduction and March to the Tournament,” in which were some excellent passages by the brass, contained an appropriate suggestion of the pomp and panoply of such an occasion, while in gentle relief followed the smooth, gently flowing passages of the “Meditation” movement. The third movement, “Serenata,” • was a vivid picture of dashing Bon Juans and dark-eyed senoritas. The guitar-like accompaniment gave it a colourful setting. A brightly written “Finale” made an appropriate ending to a very enjoyable suite. A selection from Verdi’s “Aida,” a patrol number, “Cock o’ the North,” a novelty, “Sarita,” and Morceau’s dainty “Funeral March of a Bumble Bee,” were also warmly appreciated. Pleasing contributions were two cornet solos, “Le Iteve d’Armour” and “The Blipd Ploughman,” and a flute solo, Lemmone’s “Nocturne,” by Mr. ; Hal McLennon, which was warmly re- j called. Mrs. Laetitia Parry was the soloist i of the evening, singing two pleasing i numbers in Godard’s “Angels Guard ; Thee” and Allisten’s “A Song of i Thanksgiving,” to band accompani- } ments. With Miss Thelma Gordon at 1 the piano the vocalist also sang “The ! Bells of Aberdovey.”