ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9577, 25 August 1909, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

* A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE.

There was a much] larger attendance in the Town Hall last night than usually greets the local Orchestral Society, which must have been gratifying to the members. The programme submitted was of a varied character, musically, and met with the appreciation of the large gathering. It is unfortunate that depletions have evidently occurred in the "brass" section, the absence of th#trombones being a distinct drawback, resulting in a want of balance on occasions. This was specially noticeable in the overture from "Zampa," and in the waltz, although both these numbers were «. received by the audience with enthusiasm. That the conductor, Mr Purcell Webb, had taken considerable pains to bring his orchestra up to a high standard, there was abundant evidence,-but there were several occasions upon which there was a complete disregard, for the presence of the baton, detracting from the general musical result. Over-anxiety may have contributed to this, but the players should ever remember that combination and a strict attention to the "beat" are the hallmarks of success in any musical organisation.

The opening march "Torok Magyar" (da Reeder) waa bright, as Hungarian music invariably is, but the pause chords suffered somewhat by reason of the instiumentalista not being well together. "Zampa" (Herold), known perhaps specially by all students of the piano, contained much that was deserving of praise* but there was a'Jwahfc of balance* as indicated above. Again the players were a little at variance in the closing notes of almost every bar in the opening movement. This was: largely due to the dotted note being sustained a trifle too long, although the accent was correctly observed. The comets and bassoon were out of tune in the second movement on the pause notes, but; the clarionet solo (Mr Candy) following was very pretty, the instruments being perfectly in tana and blending beautifully. The clarionet again showei to advantage in hid second sulo, and in the final stages the first and second violins deserve special mention for the way they negotiated the difficult florid passages. Elgar's "Serenade," a distinctly pretty composition, was somewhat "shaky" in places, but it had its redeeming features.

The "Veronica" selection presented some attractive mjsic, tb.3 nnjjr portion of the work being allotted to the cornet (Mr McLeod), who played with his accustomed taste. The production, while not wholly without blemish, was greatly enjoyed. Paderewski's "Melodie" gave the audience considerable pleasure. Detail was nicely attended to, the tuneful nature Of the compisition being ever apparent, evidently giving pleasure to players and listeners alike. The concluding orchestra number was GungTs valse "Immortellen." This is a waltz of a distinctive character, being one of tew compositions of ita kind having a somewhat melancholy introduction. II; opens with a march funebre, and is said to have b6en written at a trying time in the life of the composer. He, however, speedily throws off his sad vein, the opening bars of the valse revealing a dainty melody, and from there onwards it is a typical concert valse. It was nicely played throughout, indicating careful rehearsal. The "Minuet" (Boccherni) was tastefully played by Miss K. Holloway, and Messrs Goddard, Reihana Boyes and H. Inns, and had to be repeated. The violin solo "Hejre Kati" (Hubay) showed off Mr Reihana Boyea' musical skill, and he also was recalled, his second item baing "Am Meer" (SchubertWilhemj) displaying, the soloist's capabilities in double-stopping. The vocal soloist on this occasion was Mr Gerald C. Branson, his numbers being "The Gladiator" (Adams) and "Trankadillo" (MoJioy). His singing met with appreciative applause, he being recalled for each effort, responding with "The Double Loss" | (Meyer-Helmund) and "For Ever and For Ever" (TostH.

Miss Winnie Jones,presided at the piano in her usual capable instrument being kindly supplied by Messrs Inns and Goddard. The secretarial duties were carried out faithfully by Mr W. J. Goddard. The general musical result of last night's concert must be extremely gratifying to Mr Pufeell Webb, and it is to be hoped that the final concert for this season will be equally successful.

The personnel o£ the instrumentation iast night was as follows: First violins, Mr Reihana Boyes (leader), Miss K. Holloway,, Mr W. J Goddard, Mr E. Borrows; Second violins, Mies Brown, Miss Keisenber?, Mr A. Renali, Mr A. Hollings, Master S. Gough; Viola, Mi C. Winchester; 'Cellos, Mr H. Inn 3, Mr P. Hunn: Contra Basses, Mr A. Russell, Mr G. "W. Hutchinson; lFute, Mr J. Barrett; Clarionettes, Mr J. Candy, Mr W. Chum; Bassoon, Mr M. K. Varnhan; Cornets, MrF. W. G.'McLaod, Mr Ward; Tympani, Mr E. Laneton. *"