BREWSTER-JONES SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Mr. H.
Brewster-Jones has attacked the difficulties which stood in the way of giving
symphony concerts in Adelaide, and has successfully mastered them. The Brewster-Jones Symphony
Orchestras an accomplished fact, and the first concert
is announced for Tuesday evening, April 15, in the Adelaide Town Hall. Mr. Brewster-Jones will conduct and
Miss Sylvia Whitington is the leader of 60 distinguished
instrumentalists. Mr Harold S. Parsons, Mus Bac.,
will also appear as conductor in the “Piano
concerto” by Rubinstein, which Mr. Brewster-Jones will play with orchestra.
Melbourne and Sydney have been in
advance of “The City of Culture” long enough in the matter of a symphony
orchestra; and it is gratifying to be able to announce that this condition is
about to be altered owing to the enthusiasm and indefatigable zeal of Mr.
Brewster-Jones. The symphony orchestra has been modelled upon the famous Boston
Symphony Orchestra in the balance of tone and proportion, and certain rare
instruments have been included for the special effects in the new works which
are being introduced to Adelaide. The “Symphony in D minor”
of Cesar Frank will be performed here for the first time. This is regarded
as one of the greatest symphonies extant; and although quite a modern works, It shows none of the “weaker tendencies of modernism. Frank
absorbed his technique chiefly from Bach. His one medium of expression is that
of polyphony of which Bach was the great master”. So speaks Surette
of the great French genius. Here therefore is presented the union of the modern
and the ancient in a character who “dwelt not in the
world of action, but in the quiet cloister of his own tender, devout and moving
thoughts”. Cesar Frank made an innovation in symphony writing when he wrote an
important part for the “Cor Anglais”. This gives to
the “D minor symphony” a mystic effect which does not belong to other works of
this order. Mr. Brewster-Jones has arranged for Mr W. S. Johnson to play this
rarely heard instrument and the other members of the wood wind family will also
be in very efficient hands, as special trouble has been taken to secure the
best players available. The brass and string sections are equally good, and the
facts seem to justify the conclusion that a splendid combination of players has
been got together. The programme will include another composition new to Adelaide, “The
nightingale suite” By H. Brewster-Jones, in which music suggestive of the
immortal bird will be interpreted by Mr Gilbert, flautist. Mr John Dempster, organist, will supplement the orchestra in the
great 1812 Overture (Tschaikowski)
and “The bartered bride” (Smetana) will complete the programme. Mr Sutton Crow of
Melbourne, arranged for a loan of music from the Melbourne University
Conservatorium for the concert, and support has been forthcoming from various
sources for an organisation which is of great importance. The management of the
Brewster-Jones Symphony Orchestra has been undertaken by Mr Charles Cawthorne.
Register, March 22, 1919