The first concert of the York Symphony Orchestra for the present season took place in the large hall of the Exhibition last evening, but unfortunately the attendance was of a very discouraging nature. The inclement weather must have been the cause of this, for the programme was of a more than usually attractive character. Ethel Lister paid a return visit to York, and displayed her rare powers as a vocalist in "Softly sighs" from Weber's "Der Freischutz," "Roberto, toi que j'aime," from "Robert Le Diable" (Meyerbeer), and "Elizabeth's Greeting" from 'Tannhauser" (Wagner). She scored a distinct success in each number, but the palm must be given to her artistic rendering of "Elizabeth's Greeting."
The orchestral part of the programme opened with a delightful rendering of the overture "Merry Wives of Windsor" (Nicolai), which whetted the appetite of the audience for the feast of good things which was to follow. As a conductor Mr. T. Tertius Noble is pre-eminent in the art of painting a perfect tone picture, and that art was never more conspicuously displayed than last evening. Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" is so rich in the most exquisite writing that the only regret musicians of the present day feel with regard to it is that the hand of death vetoed its completion. The "allegro moderato," with its ever-recurring, memory-haunting melody round which are woven the most beautiful and subtle harmonies, was played with finished expression. The "andante" has a no less seductive charm, but of a more subdued nature. The performance of it was characterised by the greatest refinement, and marked by very fine ensembles. A "Berceuse" and a "Prelude" by the Finnish composer Jarnefelt are of a deliciously delicate description. In the "Prelude" the air is scarcely finished by one instrument before it is taken up by another, as if jealous of the prowess of its predecessor, the strings playing a pizzicato accompaniment to the wood-wind. The work comes to an almost abrupt termination, and so delighted were the audience last night that they insisted on a repetition. Sir E. Elgar when a mere youth composed two suites entitled "The Wand of Youth." Mr. Noble inserted No. 2 in the programme, and it was heard, we believe, for the first time in York. It was composed as music to a juvenile play, and consists of six movements, namely, "March," "Little Bells,"
"Moths and Butterflies," "Fountain Dance," "Tame Bears," and "Wild Bears." The first five movements are conceived in the most quaintly delicate spirit, and were beautifully interpreted by the orchestra. The last movement contains some especially fine orchestration, adumbrating the genius which has placed the composer on such a pinnacle of fame. It is played prestissimo, and the representation of the growling of the bears, given out by the tuba double sforzando, had a most realistic effect, and the applause of the audience did not cease until it was seen that Mr. Noble would repeat the movement. The concert was brough to a conclusion by a masterly performance of that magnificent conception of Mendelssohn, "The Hebrides Overture."
Yorkshire Post , 1st December, 1909.
The first concert of the present season by the York Symphony Orchestra was given last evening in the Large Hall of the Exhibition. Through a combination of circumstances, including the most inclement weather, the attendance was poor, but this did not damp the ardour of the performers, who admirable rendered a pleasantly varied programme, which opened with the familiar Overture from Nicolai's "Merry Wives of Windsor." The most interesting item on the programme was Schubert's "Unfinished" Symphony. Excellent expression was given to the beautiful melody running through the "Allegro Moderato" movement, the light and shade and the fine tone colouring being splendidly reproduced. The second movement - andante con moto - was especially noticeable for the splendid ensemble, and the effective interpretation of the somewhat weird melodies which dominate the piece. In lighter vein were Jarnefelt's "Berceuse" and "Prelude" and Elgar's "Wand of Youth." The orchestral items closed with a fine rendering of Mendelssohn's "Hebrides" Overture.
Miss Ethel Lister was the vocalist, and her contributions included the recitative and air "Softly sighs," from Weber's "Der Freischutz," Robert's "Toi, que j'aime," from Meyerbeer's "Robert le Diable," and "Elizabeth's Greeting," from the Hall of Song scene in "Tannhauser." Each item was admirably adapted to illustrate her dramatic resources, and the fine quality and range of her voice. Mr. T. Tertius Noble conducted.