The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-10-02 00:00:00

BIRMINGHAM FLUPE SOCIETY,

The thirtieth anniversary of this society, estab-
lished in 1856, to encourage a taste for the perform•
ance of classical concerted flute mueie, and for the
improvement of its members, was celebrated on
Saturday last. The members assembled in their
meeting roor ,at Messrs. Sabin and Stockley's, at
one o'clock, and then drove to Clent, where they
were received, at Summer Bank, the residence of
Mr. James Mathews, the vice-president, by Mr. and
Mrs. Mathews, and numerous friends. A pro-
gramme had been previously piepared, and the
members executed some beautiful pieces of con-
certed flute music, including selections from the
quartets of Kuhlau, Wnlkier, and Carden, and trios
for Tulou. Included in the programme was a
double quartet, specially arranged by Mr. Langston,
the conductor, from the number " Judex," in
Gounod's " More et Vita." The effect uf this
performance was singularly beautiful, the lovely
and melodious legato music of Gounod being
remarkably appropriate for display on the flute.
Another highly interesting feature of the pro •
gramme was an arrangement specially trans° ibed
by Mr. Mathews for the occasion. This consisted
of the Notturoo and Wedding March from Men-
delsQohn's "Midsummer Night's Dream," The
Notturno was given as a quartet with piano accom-
paniment a quatre mains, and the joyous harmonies
of the March were rendered rendered lid' and full
by the united strength of nine flutes. Several other
pieces were given, including a delightful perform-
ance by Mr. Mathews of one of Molique's songs.
The piano parts of the concerted pieces were
admirably rendert dby two talented lady amateurs.
After the completion of the ; erformance the mem-
bers of the Flute Society and their friends a 'journed
to the Lyttelton Arms, whore they dined ; Mr.
Mathews, the vice-president, occupying the chair.
There were also present Mr. W. Langston, the con-
ductor; Bar. Arthur H. Id uglie9., the hon. secretary;
and Messrs. W. It, Hughes, G. C. Draper, -W. H.
Johnson, Frank E. Huxley, Percy Cros4key. F. G.
Hughes, and Henry King (Stourbridge). Mr. H.
King, in proposing the toast of " The Birmingham
Flute Society," congratulated the society which
he was informed was the only one of its kind in the
country—on having reached its thirtieth anniver-
sary. The toast was responded to by Mr. Mathews,
who, referring to the interest taken in the flute by
persons of distinction, alluded to a leading article
in the Times of Friday, the 24th ult., in which the
100th anniversary of the death of Frederick the
Great was mentioned, and his .services rendered to
the cause of music were described. It was stated
that, "besides being a soldier, a statesman, and a
philosopher. the Great Frederick was also a
musician of no despicable order, who loved his flute
i
almost as much as his sword, and stood n awe of
his master on that instrument— Quantz—much
more than he did of the combined wrath of two
empresses and a king." Mr. W. IL Hughes, as the
oldest member of the society, then pr9-sed the
health of Air. Langstone. the conductor, in eulogis-
tic terms; and at his request the Chairman pro-
s-Wed to Mr. Langston a very handsome silver gob-
let, as a mark of the friendship and esteem of the
members. Further toasts were proposed, and an
enjoyable meeting was brought to a conclusion.

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