Review of the 36th concert
5th November, 1933.
YORK SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
WHY NOT A REGULAR SERIES OF CONCERTS ?
SUGGESTION TO COUNCIL
The York Symphony Orchestra was at one time one of the premier organisations
of the city with a reputation so high as to have musicians such as Sir Edward
German, Mr. Coleridge Taylor and the like coming to conduct programmes of
their own works.
Founded in, I think, the eighteen nineties, by Mr. Tertius Noble ably backed by
Miss Editha Knocker, the Society reached a surprising degree of efficiency and
flourished exceedingly. But like many similar bodies it fell on evil days and
little has been heard of it for some time past.
Now, thanks to the enthusiasm of a few keen musicians, the lamp has been
re-lighted and after a good many months of hard work under the training of that
well-equipped conductor, Mr. Fred Kell, the orchestra made its first appearance
in its new constitution in the Exhibition Hall last evening. It is gratifying
to note that this Phoenix-like resurrection was under the auspices of the Parks
Committee of the York Corporation.
REGULAR SERIES?
If this were in the nature of an experiment by this committee it was in every
way a successful one. The playing was so consistently good and the large
audience so keenly appreciative of it that I am firmly convinced that if it
were possible to run a series of regular concerts during the winter months the
audiences would steadily grow, and the influence of the concerts from a
recreational and educational standpoint would be invaluable.
We have no municipal orchestra, but here is one consisting of between 50 and 60
local professional and amateur players, complete in each department and a
cohesive whole. After last night's performance there can be no two opinions as
to its capabilities. And surely they should be made use of?
The programme was well chosen, being composed of works good but not
"highbrow." Wagner's "Tannhauser" March, after an unsteady
opening, went with a swing; Nicolai's jolly overture, "The Merry Wives
of Windsor," was finely played, and the elves were elves and not
elephants! Massenet's aptly-named "Scenes Pittoresques" and Eric
Coates's" From the Countryside," an excellent example of light but
well written music, were both admirably interpreted. And the selection from
"Iolanthe" revealed the fact that the orchestra has some most
efficient soloists. Elgar's popular "Pomp and Circumstance" made a
robust finale to the concert.
NOTED SINGER
Miss Eva Farrant is always popular with York audiences and her singing of a
recit and aria from Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," in which she
was really well accompanied by the orchestra, was notable from a vocal and
artistic view point. She sang Quilter's "Love's Philosophy" in
response to a clamorous encore. Later she sang, to the judicious pianoforte
accompaniment of Miss G. Waterworth, a singularly beautiful song, "A
Christmas Carol" by Malcolm Davidson, and the old English "Shepherd
thy demeanour vary" with delightful treatment of its florid and airy
character. Her encore on this occasion was the "Waltz Song" from
"Tom Jones" which she sings brilliantly.
And returning to the orchestra, their conductor, Mr. Kell, their leader, Mr. A.
J. Cooper, and all concerned are to be congratulated on giving a concert not
unworthy of the best traditions of the society which are recorded at the
beginning of this notice.
REGINALD ROSE.
