ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3210, 9 June 1909, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

!; There was a good bouse to greet the Masterton Orchestral Society on the occasion of their first concert this season at the Town Hall last evening,' being specially well [ patronised. The advent of Mr Purcell Webb, who recently came to Masterton to assume the post of organist and choirmaster at Knox Church, and who was occupying the position of conductor to the Society for the first time, probably gave this concert additional interest, while it must also be said that the programme submitted was a very attractive one. The Orchestra were very successful in the numbers allotted to them; but a little more attention could have been paid to the expression marks by the members generally. Qn£several occasions it was apparent that some of the players were 'endeavouring to observe, for instance, the crescendo and diminuendo passages, while others again were taking no notice whatever of these. Particularly was this the case in Rubenstein's "Melody in F." This composition is too well known to allow of liberties of that nature being taken with it, and j the number was in a measure robbed of its beauties. Generally there was a lack of precision about sorre of the selections, portions of "The Merry Widow" (Lehar) being ceeidedly "ragged." This piece, it is understood, has only recently been put into rehearsal, and probably was not quite ready for production. "Lu Pee" (Dodwelf) also suffered becan e of the players not getting .the not'js nicely together. This was an entire item, and probably had not recemd as 'muclr~litte!fitioh as some " of the ' other pieces. However, Mr Webb has only taken charge of the Orchestra a matter of two or three weeks, and he should soon ha e these details put to rights, it heir g natural to assume that the players have not yet quite got to know him as a conductor. Flashes of-brillisi y, now and again, gave ample evid, ce of this, and he deserves every cr dit for the genera] musicianlv render ng of some of the selection;. "• he opening march was of a pompcus character, and was spiritedly given, as also was the overture from "Tancredi' (Rossini). "Melody in F," (Rubenstein) while nicely played, lacked warmth, and the animate, was not made sufficient of. The cornet players deserve credit for the excellent substitute provided for the horn—it was a good Lehar's "Merry Widow" is before stated, was somewhat shaky at times, but nevertheless vas greatly appreciated by the mdience. The waltz "Amoretten;anze" was taken brightly, giving Measure to the audience. Mrs Taplay was the vocalist on his occasion, and is rapidly beaming very popular. "Melisande n the Wood" (Alma Goetz) and 'Kingfisher Blue" (Woodford FinIon) being her first number (brackted). The former was her best ffort, the style of this lovely song uiting her temperament admirably 'Roses" (Adams) was given as an ncore. "Thora" (Adams) was subtituted for Donisetti's "0, Mio 'ernando," on account of Mrs Tapiy's throat occasioning her some nxiety, and notwithstanding tnis he lady gave a sympathetic renering of this fine song. Being refilled, she sang "Comin' thro' the ;ye." The glee, "Hail, Smiling [oxn," was nicely given by Mrs Tap»y, and Misses Edwards, Elkins, nd McGregor, and Messrs Young, lannell, Jago and Gray, evidencing 1 areful preparation. The encore Sweet and Low," a most difficult iece to sing, was not quite so sucBssful, bchubert's "Serenade" as cornet solo by Mr F. W. G. Mceod, although a trifle uncertain in ie opening bars, was well played, ie soloist having the assistance of ia full orchestra. Miss Winnie )nes, and Messrs Goddard and Inns ave a trio, "Liebsgarten" (Schuann), playing well [together and apathetically. The accompanients were played by Miss Hood, .T.C.L., and Miss Jones, and left )thing to be desired. The concert as a most enjoyable one, and cerinly ranks with the Society's ist previous efforts. Those present st night will look forward with easure to the next concert. The ano used was kindly supplied : by essrs Inns and Goddard.