Proms Concert Appreciated

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30975, 3 February 1966, Page 14

Proms Concert Appreciated

Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance No. 15 set last evening’s proms concert in the Civic Theatre well on its way in merry mood. Once again the theatre was filled with an appreciative audience. Mr Fiedler captured the jocund spirit of the dance and gave a performance that had temperament and fire. The Academic Festival Overture by Brahms—always a hardy annual for proms programmes—began with a pleasingly smooth mutter in dark toning. Sonority from the brass led to a gathering up of convivial spirits and brightness prevailed. Mr Fiedler blended the instruments with balanced and artistic judgment. Henri Bittar was the violinist soloist with the orchestra In Beethoven’s Romance in F. He produced singing tone which had a soft radiance befitting the pastoral nature of the music. His phrasing was deft and shapely and the whole work was charming in its pastel colouring. Shostakovich's Polka from the “Golden Age” ballet brought some mordant wit into the programme for a short while, and it was followed by “El Salon Mexico” by Aaron Copland. It began with an atmosphere of daybreak and unfolded gradually its shimmering colours as the day advanced. It is concise music and was played with crisp preciseness and with romantic languor at the appropriate times. Chabrier’s "Rhapsody Espanol” had lots of swirling colour and fiesta spirit, and was played with drive and snap. A work of somewhat similar inspiration was the “Estancia,” by Ginastera—depicting life on an Argentinian ranch. Mr Henri Bittar was soloist in Chaussons’ Poeme for Violin and Orchestra, dreamy and impressionist music subtle and charming in its

quiet kaleidoscope effects. Mr Bittair played with impeccable intonation and with a tone which carried clearly without any forcing. The delicacy and the musical appeal of this work was appreciated. An animated performance of “The Emperor Waltz” and a selection from “Mary Poppins” rounded off the programme.

The last proms concert of this season will be given this evening.