CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24897, 10 June 1946, Page 3

CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL

on baturday evening in the Canter' bury College Hall, a recital of chambei music was given by Bernard Page Gladys Vincent, and Francis Bate. The two last-named need no introduction to Christchurch audiences, and Bernard Page is well remembered from his fine organ recitals. He is a competent pianist with excellent

technique, and a responsiveness to the music he plays, although at times on Saturday evening too fanciful render, ing destroyed the group balance. The programme opened with a violin sonata by Ropartz, a pupil of Cesar Franck. It reflects the “master s” style fervour, and religious intensity, although offset a little by the Breton folk song influence. Mr Page is best in the massive tonal “build- ups." Miss Vincent feels the rich melodic outlines, where she gave not merely notes but life and beauty. "Not novel, but new ” so could be described the movement by the Belgian Jongen from his piano trio in B. Whereas Ropartz veers to the semitone and chromaticism, Jongen explores the possibilities of the tone, giving his work a modal fragrance. The opening melody, played by the ’cello, should dispel any criticism that contemporary composers cannot write melodies In spite of poor balance at times, the work was played with warmth and vibrancy Francis Bate, with fine intonation and good bow control and tone, played the Delius Violoncello Sonata in D Both players were alive to the spirit of the music. v- 1 ?' recital concluded with the Elgar Violin Sonata in E minor. Miss Vincent was equally at ease in this as in the Ropartz. One enjoyed her effortless crossing of the strings in the first movement with just the right tone amount for melody and under figures, her wide range of colour, and particularly the ethereal muted passage so effective in the College Hall. This was a recital well worth rehearing. -p