AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 394, 20 May 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT. There was a crowded .house at the White! ey Hall test night for the concert given by the New Plymouth Orchestral Union. The programme was an admir-aibly-selected one, .perhaps a little ambitious, but well rendered. The instrumentation was as follows:—Violins: Messrs. A. L. Cooke (leader), F. 8. Butler, R. Cottier, H. Welle, Misses O. Buckman, OanneU, Johnson, ana Ghatterton. Viola: Mr. T. B. Blanohett. 'Cello: Mr. L. Blanchet*. Basso: Mr. E. N. L. Okey. Mutes: Messrs H. W. Kink wood and C. A. Benbow. Clarionets; Messrs. S. Cottier and N. Perry. Cornets: Messrs. J. Richards and Gaylard. Horns: Messrs. C. C. Ward and R. Blanehett. Trom.bone: Mr. A. Hand ley. Saxophone: Mr. S. Griffiths. Drums: Messrs. H. J. Crewes and A. Pearce. Piano: Jliss E. Bookman. It will thus be seen that the conductor, Mr. C. H. Lawn, hud at ius command most of the leading orchestral .players in the town, and it would haw been almost a minacle had the orchestra, ithius composed, failed to 'acquit itself creditably. There was at times an inclination'to "drag," and a want of crisp■ness in attack, but, on the whale, the performance was one upon which the organisation may well -prute itself. The instrumental soloists were Messrs.-A. L. Cooke audi C. H. Lawn. Mr. Cooke's violin solo,, a "Serenade," was a treat in the finesse of the violin, the science of position, and delicate bowing. Mr. Lawn played as a cornet so-io "Weber's Last Valse" (Hartmann). His mv,rect notation; was a feature, but there was iai fogginess about some of the 1 slurred passages, and a lack of tone. In; his encore number die was more hapip% placed. Comirag to the vocal items, till* soloists- were t&e Misses Gideon, Clarice Buc'fomair, and Florence v\ r aird, Mid' Mr. Ndxon. Miss- Gideon sang "Tne Rivvsrof Years," and Miss Florence Ward "The Lost Giiord" and Tosti's "Goodbye.'' Miss Braskman's- contribution was one that served 1 to show 'Off her .undoubted natural? abilities and a wealth of cultivation. The performance was marred, though',, by a pronounced j tremolo. Mr. -uwxoir. acquitted himself well in "The Rcrses." A quartette from j .the Liedertafel ((Messrs.. Hawker, Ambury, Clarke, and Crawford) supplied two well appreciated items., i "The Two Roses" and "The- Chapel.." Possibly tne best stitotions frami tl'iw orchestra were the overture from "Znnipa" and the iselection "II Trovatore." The Orchestral Union is desawing of the warmest praise for .the excellence of the music, supplied last night, a .proof of the excellent work that is- -being doue in fostering the cult of true art, as expressed in soiwec of the difficult and inspiring compositions .interpreted during the course of this .progu-pmme. The accompanists were Mrs! A. L. Copke and Misses E.' Buckman-' and Ward.