BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA GREAT AUDIENCE HEARS CONCERT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 839, 6 December 1929, Page 14

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA GREAT AUDIENCE HEARS CONCERT

ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME A vast audience filled the Town Hall last night when the Boliemian Society gave its final performance of the present season. For the occasion the orchestra was largely augmented by players of the Musicians’ Union, and in the last number the Auckland Garrison Artillery Band lent valuable assistance. The programme was framed on popular lines, and the works were interpreted with unusual verve and enthusiasm, and though at times the playing was not over-clean, the concert proved perhaps the most enjoyable one of the year. Commencing with Ambroise Thomas’s famous overture “Raymond,” the orchestra gave a crisp and artistic rendering of the work. The rather bizarre opening phrases were given out with arresting precision, and the “tuneful subjects were played in musicianly style—the alternating passages for strings and wood-wind were very effectively done, and the finale was worked up to a spirited climax. The big orchestra proved a little un wieldly in the “Tannhauser” overture, and some “muddy” passages were occasionally evident; but the playing was never dull, and some fine effects were obtained, particularly in the stirring close, which was given with admirable breadth of tone and style. Edward German’s entertaining “Theme and Six Diversions” was a number well received. If sometimes the effects were rather noisy and confused, there were many delightful episodes in the work. The second variation is very attractive, the fourth has a welcome repose, and the fifth is graceful and charmingly scored. The fourth big orchestral number was Tchaikowsky’s descriptive “1812 Overture,” which made a fitting closing item. Opening rather colourlessly in tone, the work and playing quickly increased in interest, and whatever may be thought of the composition from a musical standpoint, it cannot be gainsaid that the writing and scoring of he latter part of the work are intensely vivid and realistic.. With the help of the Garrison Band a thrilling climax was obtained, and the audience compelled a repetition of the last part.

Smaller works on the programme included Godard’s “Berceuse de Jocelyn,” with horn solo, by Mr. Harry Benn; and arrangements of Schubert’s’Cradle Song and Bach’s “G string Aria” by the string orchestra. Undue rubata rather marred the otherwise good effect of the last item. “Caro Nome,” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto,” and Bishop’s “Lo! Here the Gentle Lark.” were the programme numbers submitted by Miss M. O’Grady, the soprano soloist of the concert. Miss O’Grady possesses a sweet and pleasing light voice, especially attractive in the upper register, but her style and technique are not yet adequate for such exacting arias. Acceptable encores were added in response to applause, Mr. R. Richards sang ColeridgeTaylor’s fine song, “Sons of the Sea,” and Wagner’s “Star of Eve,” from “Tannhauser,” with considerable success, though the latter song rather taxed his lower notes. His voice is even and of good quality, power and range, but he should beware of smudging legato phrases. Successful encores were also contributed. Miss Whitelaw was the efficient leader of the orchestra, Mr. Towsey was a reliable accompanist to the singers, and Mr. Muston was the skilful and vigorous conductor, to whom the chief honours of the concert are due.

“Behind the Make-up,” Paramount’s all-talking picturisation of vaudeville life, featuring Hal Skelly, William Powell and Fay Wray, was recently completed in Hollywood. “Behind tne Make-up” was adapted from the popular short story, “The Feeder,” by Mildred Cram.