An entire evening of Schubert is usually trying to all but the lovers of his ultra classical style, but Maestro Pact very cleverly softened the strain during the concert at the Town Hull un November 25 by Mr, Harry Ore's recital and the singing of the combined British, Russian and Chinese choruses. concert was the second of a series of two in commemoration of the Tt was perhaps unfortunate that only three movements of the Octet, for string quintet, clarinet, bassoon and French horn, were played. This was undoubtedly' the most delight ful number ona very long and in Some respects tiresome programme and the "cut" was made because otherwise the Town Hall would have been occupied by the Municipal Orchestra until the eatly sours of the morning, Mr. Harry Ore played the "Sonata in A major, op. 12" which was very well received. "Mr, Ore's mastery of the technique of the piano is well known to music lovers in Shanghai_and in other cities in the Far East. Later on, he was particularly brilliant in the highly descriptive "Wanderer- Fantasy" which he played with the orchestra. Tt ie not at all Schubert said of this, "Let the devil himself play the' stuff." for the calls upon sheer technical skill, particularly inthe phrases. which are only too apparently" intended fo picture the wayfarer caught. an Bast European snow storm, are almost beyond the dreams of the amateur. M. Paci and Mr. Ore are both to be congratulated ing this very interesting com. Position from the tawdriness into which one easily falls when playing.
The choruses were delightful. M.
Paci got together a British chorus, the Mashin Russian chorus and the Chinese Songsters, which he now Rersonally directs, and he overcome the difficulties of varying pitch and 18, $0 that the songs, and "Tender Music All Inviting," were very well sung indeed. The Chinese Songsters, in particular, seemed to be very en-Yhusiastic and those who are interested in choral music will do well to attend their concert next month, when M. Paci and his orchestra will assist. them. The Soprano was perhaps a little weak ut the others did remarkably well considering the circumstances of the combined chorus.
The "Symphony in C. Major, op 7," came at the end of a very long treat and many could not sit out the last two movements which were played after the clock had struck midnight. Perhaps it, was too much to absorb at that hour, particularly the brasses and the tynpanum, which, as stirring aa they may' be early in the evening, eave one with a sense of the un: fitness of things just after midnight. Sunday night's concert would have een really more enjoyable had the symphony been omitted, but then presumably M. Paci would howe faced the criticism 0. provide ing too thort a programme for those who want all they can get.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.