It's an Ill Wind

New Zealand Listener, Volume 15, Issue 385, 8 November 1946, Page 23

It's an Ill Wind

HOSE who heard the 4YA String Orchestra on a recent Sunday afternoon would regret to hear that it will lose some members to the National Symphony Orchestra; two wood-wind players from Dunedin are going north, and while feeling proud that they should be selected, Dunedin listeners must regret the gap there will be in Dunedin’s orchestral talent. The Sunday programme, consisting only of two works, was of more than ordinary interest. The first composition, Theme and Variations for String Orchestra, was by Frank Callaway, who is Director of Music at the Technical College in Dunedin. In this finely-finished work Mr. Callaway proved himself completely at home with strings; the composition has an atmosphere of solemn beauty which places it high among music by New Zealanders. It was awarded the Philip Neill Memorial Prize for 1946, the third presentation of this award. Second on the programme was the Concerto for Oboe and Strings by Gordon Jacob. This composer, whose lighter efforts are known to most BBC listeners, has here excelled himself as a serious composer, and the difficult sand intricate oboe part of the concerto must present great obstacles to any but a skilled performer. However, Frank Robb, in\a polished performance of the solo part, demonstrated conclusively the reasons for his inclusion in the National Orchestra.