STUDENTS' RECITAL.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 21 November 1924, Page 13

STUDENTS' RECITAL.

MR ERNEST EMPSON'S PUPILS. Exceedingly well varied was, the choice of works on the programme given by the pupils of Mr Ernest Ernpson in the- Choral Hall last night. Beethoven's "Scherzo and Finale," for two pianos, from the No, 5 Symphony,'by Misses-Mary Morrison, Molly Coop, Doreen Kivcr, and Olive Cooper, opened the programme. The florid mid* dlo p&asages, the return to the first theme, and the finishing climax were cleanly played and well rounded off. Miss Ngaire Smith's rendering of Chopin's "Nocturne," Op. 55, No. 1, ■Was full of care, as befitted the themo with its major change in the* middlo passages, and return, to the minor motif. The later series of run 3 was cleverly interpreted, and earned her appreciative applause. Miss Gwitha Young gavo a most colourful interpretation of Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor." Miss May Barber and Mra J. H. Rcay, in Chopin's "Kondo," for two pianos, Op. 73, brought out tho rippling melody and developed tho theme with skill and understanding. "Sarabande" (Niemann) and "Kigauddn" (Niemann), played by Mis 3 Elsie Morrah, were two delightful numbers. The former with its contrasting harmonies and tho latter were handled with care and skill. The familiar Chopin "Fantastic," Op. 49, was perhaps the star item. Miss Constanco Leatham executed this number with inspirational sympathy, and received prolonged applause The florid allegro con trio, first movement of Beethoven's "Concerto in C Minor," was very ably rendered by Miss Theo Shore. Miss May Barber gave a most correct interpretation of Chopin's "Etude in A Minor," Op. 25. Another very pleasing item was tho v 'Suito for Two Pianos," Op. 62 (Arensky)—a series of exquisito tone pictures, which wero treated most skilfully. Miss- Olive Cooper played "Legende St. Francis Walking on the ■Waters" (Liszt) sympathetically. Debussy's famous "Eeflectiona in the Water," that expressive and highly descriptive composition, was played by Mr W. Pago with great delicacy, but portions of tho right-hand work were a little too soft, some of the note's occasionally fading out altogether. However, Mr Page gave it its full expressive value. The recital was brought to a conclusion by a brilliant interpretation of Schumann's "Concerto iii A Minor," first movement; allegro affetuoso. Miss Piri Thompson played the solo, while Mr Ernest Ernpson used the sec* ond piano for tho orchestral arrangement as an accompaniment. Altogether, tho recital was most pleasing, and reflected great credit on Ddtk pupils and tlieir master.