The Bohemian Orchestra

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 1, 17 July 1931, Page 13

The Bohemian Orchestra

A Favourite with Auckland Music-Lovers

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[THE Bohemian Orchestra’s second concert of the 1931 season will be relayed-by station 1YA on July 23. This is only the second season that the orchestra has had its concerts broadcast, and the year before this new experiment was tried the management of the orchestra felt apprehensive that actual attendance at their concerts would diminish as a result of broadeasting. This fear proved quite unfounded, and, as a matter of fact, the society’s membership increased as a result of publicity received over the air. The Bohemian Orchestra, for twelve years previously known as the Auckland Orchestral Society, was founded in 1914, its first concert being given on June 14 of that year-the object of rendering all classes of music ranging from symphonies to works in lighter vein, and by this. means to interest all individual tastes in better class music generally. . As only four concerts are given each season, it is impossible to cover as much ground as the society would like, but during the seventeen years of this orchestra’s existence, besides producing a number of the older symphonies, outstanding works by modern composers have been introduced on their programmes from time to time, to say nothing of a number of piano and violin concertos. Perhaps the most notable of these was the Beethoven violin concerto given by the orchestra in 1929 with John Dunn as solo violinist.

While the society has conscientiously endeavoured to maintain a high standard in classical music, at the same time it has recognised the importance of lighter and more popular compositions and has performed such works as the Liszt Rhapsodies, Strauss’ Waltzes -including the world- famous "Blue Danube"’-"Tales from the Vienna Woods," and various suites which are always popular numbers at Bohemian concerts. The collective value of these concerts must have been of considerable educational value to the community considering the standard of works and performances given. The popularity of the concerts proves the appreciation placed on them by Auckland music-loy-ers with whom they are a warm favourite. The success and efficiency of this large orchestra of about seventy-five players is due very largely to the untiring energy of its brilliant conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, who has directed it since its inception. Mr. Muston is well-known as one of the most brilliant orchestral conductors in New Zealand and the Bohemians are most fortunate to have had his services for so long. Miss Edith Whitelaw has been the leader for some years and the principals of the various orchestral sections are also first-class musicians. The subscription fee to the society is only fifteen shillings a year, and this entitles each subscriber to two reserv- _ able seats at each of the four concerts _ given during a season.