BESSES O' TH' BARN BAND.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8404, 19 April 1907, Page 5

BESSES O' TH' BARN BAND.

The famous Besses o' th' Barn Band arrived in, Masterton, yesterday afternoon, by the 1.10 p.m. train from Palmerston North. At the station they were met by Mr A. W. Hogg, Crs E. McEwen, J. H. Pauling, E. G. Eton, the Town Clerk and a large number of the public. The Masterton Municipal Brass Band, also, turned out to welcome the visitors. The proposed arrangement was that the visiting band was to be played into town by the Masterton Band. Instead, however, the visitors walked into the town and went to their various hotels. The Masterton Band, however, marched into town and played selections. Upon their arriving at the Post Office corner brief speeches were made by Messrs A. W. Hogg, M.H.R., and Crs McEwen and Pauling. Each speaker warmly commended the action of the Masterton Band in turning out, and extending a welcome to the visitors in spite of the state of the weather and the roads. They deprecated the action of the visiting band in pot reciprocating the welcome. "I consider it a snub," said Cr Pauling, "and if I were the conductor of the Masterton Band, I would not have played a tune," Despite the unsettled state of the weather, yesterday afternoon, a large crowd assembled on the Showgrounds to hear the Band. Those present were treated to a "feast" of brass band music of a class, it is safe to say, they had never heard before. To say the band's playing was excellent would be putting it mildly. In every department the instrumentalists were perfect, and as each'item was completed loud applause followed from a delighted audience. The opening item was a march, "Zealandia," composed by the conductor, Mr Alexander Owen. The general swing of the march was delightful, while the predominating features were the exceptional work of the trombones and cornets. "Poet and Peasant, " a ,work by Suppe, followed,/ and >in this the musicians were heard to even greater advantage than in the opening item. The attacks and releases were splendid, while the final allegro almost held the listeners breathless. Mr T. G. Moore's cornet solo "Cleopatra" followed. The work was characterised by the utmost taste and skill on the part of talented cornet player, while his brilliant triple tongueing was also a noteworthy element. In response to a vociferous encore the Band played "The Marseillaise" in v fine style. Then followed "Rossini's Works," arranged by Owen, "Marguerite" (Godfrey), "Pirates of Penzance" (Sullivan), and "English Airs" (Jackson). A feature of "Rossini's Works" was the splendid soprano cornet playing. Mr F. Berry's euphonium solo, "Thou Art Passing Hence," was a deservedly popular item. Not only was the solo playing a revelation, but the accompanying of the band was also of the highest order. The Band gave its second concert in the To\yn Hail, last evening, before a large and enthusiastic audience. Their splendid playing was a treat to listen to. The opening number was "Avondale," a march composed by Mr Ord„Hume, the noted conductor and composer of brass band music. In this item the trombone playing was particularly "good. Verdi's "Narbuco" was the next item, and here again the trombones were heard to advantage..' There are four trombones in the Band, and their combined efforts have a delightful effect. A cornet polka "Arbuclenian,", by Mr i; P. Hallaro, followed. The soloist gave a neat and clean rendering, and the triple tongueing was' very fine. The item was deservedly encored. The selection "Beethoven" wak capitally rendered. £he trombone, cornet and euphonium solos were excellent, while the body of the Band was solid, soft and full. After playing a waltz, "Blumeri Reigen," in style, the Besses were heard at their best in a selection from "Lohengrin." The cornet cadenza was a feature of the item. The trombones were again heard to advantage. This item was vociferously encored, and they played the well-known "Turkish Patrol'in which the fine crescerco and diminuendo passages are so p'ominent. In response to another ci.core "Onward, Christian Soldiers," was given. The organ-like accompaniment was excellent, and was played with beautiful .softness. Messrs Lawson and Berry gave a trombone and euphonium duet, "Excelsior," and when encored the Band played "Lead, Kindly Light, The last item was a fantasia, "Reminiscences of All Nations," into which several popular airs were introduced. The splendid force ofthe Band was exemplified in this iterin. As an encore number "Almost Persuaded" was rendered. Loud and prolonged applause followed the concluding item.