NORTH ISLAND BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 71, 17 March 1902, Page 2

NORTH ISLAND BRASS BAND ASSOCIATION.

+ I THE TEST SELECTIONS. Fnosi a musical point of view the chief event of the contest centred in the performance of the two test pieces, the • firat of which consisted of selections from a number of the late Sir Arthur Sullivan's works, arranged by Mr J. Ord Hume, and the other Apolliri's " L'Ebreo" arranged by Mr 0. Truasell, Bandmaster of the Nelson Garrison Band 4 The former was the pioce chosen for the competition in September last at the Crystal Palace, London, when twenty-seven bands were engaged in friendly rivalry for a thousand guinea trophy. Most of those bands were composed of men drawn from facto ties, workshops, and mines, and bo strong was their enthusiasm and desiie to shine that they willingly sac-, | rificed tims and pay sr> as to attend the | I necessary practices. It is satisfactory jto find that in our own contest much ! the same conditions existed. Though somewhat lengthy the Sullivan selections furnished a decidedly searching test, as they contained some of the composer's lightest and most vivacious melodies, ranged alongside others of a sombra and impressive char act ir. " L' Ebreu," on the othur hand, may be regarded as a showy teat piece pure and simple. It contains enough melody to relieve it from monotony, whila it tests the musical ability of every m^mU..~. I J Ti 1

as a re illy difficult piece, yet it is full I of traps for the unwary or slovenly ' player, and at the same time affords an i oppor:unity to cainet, euphonium, trombone, and hass performers of exhibiting the pitch of perfection to which each may respectively have attained, aa well as giving the full band ample scope for effect. Such then wore the t*'o pieces selected for tho ordeal, and taking the performances as a whole, most of tho bands are to be congratulated on the high level of art attained, and probably all have gained additional knowledge that will stand them in good st9ad for the f uturtr. Educationally, such contests &b these advance not only the cause of music, but also the tastes of the audience, who, after hearing such excellent compositions, leara to discriminate between what, ia worthy and what is meretritious. The serious and close j attention which was given by the large: audience at each performanca was in| itself a pleasing feature; but their I accurate Apportionment of praise testified that they were guided not so much | by impulse as by an intelligent c.>n- j ceptiou of the merits of each band's ■ performance, tbe best work never failing to elicit, adoqua'e manifest a .ions of. approval. The few notes of the performancas of each bind which appaar hereunder do not pretend to bear on the technical points, as these will be deult with in the judge's notes, which \vi ! l be published hereafter ; but ara merely intended to convey the general impres- ' sions made by tbe respective bands in their interpretations of the pieces. Taking the last selection (L'Ebreo) first, the order followed is the sam i as that in which the bands played. Qranity Greek,—lc was somewhat unfortunate that this band had to lead . the way. as the members would doubtless have done batter work after hear- ' ing some of their more finished com- \ p9titors. That there was a falling off from their execution of the first piece was very evident, although in places [ some very effective work was put in, . especially by the full barid. Some of I the crescendo passages were very nicely ' gradated, but with the exception of the cornet playing the other solo work was t not up to the mark. , Waihi.—Opened well, but on getting : to the andantino movement there was ' a marked falling oil. The full band oxhibired much precision and sharp--1 ness, but with a tendency to roughness. ' Some good solo work was put in by most of the instruments. In the subtle ' delicacies of treitment iu the accorn- , paniments, however, there was a noi ticeablo weakness as compared with the good quality of other parts of the per- ' formance. Tbe band has all the-ele- ■ ments that will with care and attenl tion bring it to the forefront, and why it did net do better on Friday night is j a matter of wonder, as the members had shown whilst here that they were , capable of taking a higher place in the ' list than they secured, Taraniki opened very satisfactorily, j but had not made much progress before ! it was evident that they were disorganised. After an unfortunate slip in ( a comet solo the band seemed to go all ; to pieces, especially in the solos, s There were a few redeeming pieces of 1 good work by the full band, especially | the finale; but altogether it was a dis- : appointing performance. Ruahine.—Better things were ex- ' pected of this band, whose performance as a whole was crude, and full ef faults 1 in the solo parts. Most of the full ; band passages were crisp and effective ! There is some good material in this i bard if properly developed. Wanganui.—After the moderate display by the preceding bands it was a decidedly refreshing treat to listen | to the fine interpretation which I ' this band gave of the test piece. I . The opening at once arrested attention, and directly the solo parts ' commenced the difference from tbe ; similar work of the previous competii tors was most marked. Throughout, the performance was ono of exception--1 ally high quality both as to accuracy of timp, tone, and phrasing. Some of the shading was particularly pleasing and effective, while the full band was brilliant and precise to a nicsty. At times it almost seemed as if the band was assisted by stringed instruments, so delicate and beautiful were the accompaniments executed, while the . ba?s all through was most, artistic and organ-like. There was no doubt about stho appreciation of the audience—a perfect tumult of applause bursting forth directly the last chord of the magnificent performance had bean played. Danniston showed improved form on their first effort. The solo work as a whole was good though at times slightly drawn out and lacking in expression. Cornets, horns, and euphonium w>>re yery good, and the full band crisp, tuneful and not wanting in power. The finale was vary effective, and altogether the performers disp'aynd con»M«rai>l«. ability, which augurs well for the success of the baud in a future contest. It was evident thsit much care and pain* had been bestowed on the preparation of the work. Masterton opened fairly, and although they showed considerable improvement of form since playing the first test piece, the performance was as a whole only fairly good. With a few exceptions the solo parts were more or less open to unfavourable criticism, although occasionally some of the cornet and euphonium parts were nicely rendered. Thu full band nhowed great 5 vigour and fire, especially in the fiaale; |but though effective from a " gallery "

point of viow, is left something to be desired in the way of artiaue treatment. That there are players of considerable merit in this band was evident", and the audience was quick to ' Bppieciate the surprising advance the band had made (since its first performance. ! Paluaetston North.—This Hand was at its best in the full passages, the softer p'irta being rather roughly handled and the absence of feeling in most of the playing being very notictable. The cornet and euphonium solo work wus very fairly done; 83me of. the trombone work was striking, and there was a steadiness of purpose exhibited throughout. The finale was a very Showy piece of work, but taken as a whole the performance lacked soul and finish. Hauraki gave a Very massive and effective opening, followed by a nice . dreamy rendering of the andantioo. ■ Some very good work was done by the > trombone, cornet, and erupbouium s'jlo- ' ists, and at times the ba«s produced i very beautiful organ-like effects. There 1 was also a fair amount of expression ■ put into the rendering of the piece, a I notable exception being in the repeat ) before the finale* Altogether it was a i yery creditable performance, and this i band is evidently on the right io&d . SUCCESS. 3 Dunedin Naval* opened very ima pressively, their full chords being vary ; grand. The trombone, cornet, and t euphonium work was very fairly done. - and some of the accompaniments were 1 ort<4 17a Aft fimnfl tllM

iaatetul and 'eneewve. At times tn* mad was rather too demonstrative rhe andante movement at M w»s ' splendidly taken, and tbe finale 1 arilliantly executed. It was expected 1 that this band would have taken a good j placa on the 1 at, and they would have ao doubt been higher Up had the whole performance been of tqual merit. As 1 it was they did well, and their playing was much appreciated by the audience. North East Valley.—An excellent start was made, and in the following movements great taste and delicacy of treatment was shown. The trombone solos were very tuneful and accurate. The work put in by the horn was exceptionally well executed, while the cornet solos were a treat to to. As a whole it was a brilliant performance, and contained many points of excellence, tbe full band being particularly pleasing in tone and finish. The finale was a fitting olose to a reil'y magnificent piece of exicution. Laud appUuso was bestowed on tl.e performers Wellington opened with a piece of artiitio work tint ut once claimed the attnion of the audience. The allegro movement was gift and tuneful, tbe accompaniment being very accurate as to time and tone. The andantino wis a revelation of tone effects, tbe tromboue solo and sustained accompanimeuf being remarkable lor beauty, Th<oughout all ihe nolo work was of very high quality and the delicate gradations of tune were marvellously well done. It wai a pviformance that needs no d->-criptiou of detail, each movement being executed with consummate skill and tast*, the grind effects produced by the full bind thrilling the audiew with evident delight. It was undoubtedly the best performance of its kind ever heard in Now Plymouth and | will long be remembered as the greatj musical treat of the contest. , i Kaikorai—To face tbe judge after! such a brilliant performance as that of the Welliogton Band was a hard task, but the Kukorai men possessed grit as j well as ability, and they at once settled ' down to excellent work. Their per- | formance resembled Wellington's in no way but one, and that was ita j general excellence. Solos and accompaniments were alike accurate, tuneful, and replete with expression, while in the livelier movements there was a refreshing vivacity that was v.-ry pleading. Tbe full band was brisk, sun rom and very effective, the finale being full of power. Altogether it waj a very * artistic performance. What faults appeared were of a very trivi »l nature, and the band well deserved the unstinted expressions of approval which were bestowed by the audience. The Haurrki and Waibi bands left for home on Saturday evening by the Takapuoa. Thero w»« an unusually large crowd at tbe railway station to see the bandsmen away by thn breakwater train, the bands playing " Borne, Sweet Home," and " Auld Lang Syne." The Wauganui Gam-on band returns home to-day, and the Denciston Baud also proceeds south. Colour-Servant Davis, of the Wellington City Rifles, who has been acting as drumui»jor of the Wellington Garrison Bacid daring th» contest', is a son of Mr George Da"*, at one time a drum-major of tie 57ch Kegiment band, at the head of which be often paraded Devon-street in the eirly day* of the sflttl' in* nt. Mr E. Williams, conductor of thHauraki Band, intands hi proceed to Sydney shortly to undergo a thorough course of training. He will then return to get his band into form for t<>e next contest.