Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 1, 15 July 1932, Page 5

Dunedin Symphony Orchestra

4YA to Broadcast Concert

N important musical event is scheduled for 4YA, Dunedin, on the night of July 20, when the southern station will relay from the Town Hall Concert Chamber the performance by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra. This orches-tra-a highly efficient combination of all the best musi--cians in. and around Dunedin, aims at presenting to

the public programmes of mixed classical and popular items in an earnest attempt to increase_the interest in orchestral music in that city. Monsieur de Rose, who has been appointed conductor, was specially engaged in New York to come to Dunedin to take charge of the Octagon Theatre Orchestra. Prior to this he was in charge of some of the leading picture theatre orchestras in Canada and America, including those at the. Rialto Theatre, (New York), the Sttand Theatre (New Orleans), the Capital Theatres (Montreal and Toronto). While in England before the wat he was conductor of the East. Lancashire Symphony Orchestra. After spending a few years in Dunedin conducting the best professional orchestras there, Monsieur de Rose went abroad, appearing in America and Europe and on the Continent. He afterwards returned. to Dunedin to take over the Empire Theatre Orchestra, which he trained and conducted until the coming of the talking pictures forced the ‘Management to dispense with the services of the band. It is interesting to note that most of the distinguished conductors of famous orchestras in all parts of the world are stringed instrumentalists. Monsieur de Rose is himself a violinist, and this accomplishment is of great benefit, as it has taught him to appreciate the tech- _ nicalities which have to be obseryed in the string section-the most important part of the orchestra,

Much care has been spent in arranging the programme that will be ' heard by listeners. Every item was considered at length, and the object of the whole programme is to cater for as many tastes in music as possible. The outstanding item will be "An-. dromeda = and the Storm King." It is interesting to note that ‘"‘Andromeda"’ was first . written

as a poem by Augusta Mary Holmes, who afterwards set the music to be performed to the verse. . Augusta Holmes was perhaps the most famous French lady composer, writing most of her works in the United States. At the musical Competitions in Paris in 1878 she was placed second to Dubois and Godard, "Andromeda" was first played by the New York Symphony Orchestra in 1921, the orchestra then being under the direction of Walter Damrosch. Since then it has been successfully performed by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, and ‘many other leading symphony orchestras in America and Europe With the programme given out to those in attendance at the concert in the Town Hall Concert Chamber will be presented a printed copy of the words of the poem, so for the benefit of those who cannot attend ‘tis published on page 6. ‘The programme will open with t composition by the conductor .entitled "Magueda, Queen of Sheba," and will be followed by the symphonic poem ‘Andromeda." Saint Saens’ "Marche Heroique,’ Chopin’s "Nocturne, Op. 48, No. 1," "Gypsy Rondo" (Haydn), and a fantasia from Boito’s opéra "Mefistofeles’’ will comprise the other numbers on what should prove to be a | very popular programme. Vocal solos and duets will also be given by Miss Lillian MacDonald and Mr. James MacDonald, soprano. and tener respectively, the. orchestra accompanying their singing. ft