CHAMBER MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 284, 29 August 1942, Page 10

CHAMBER MUSIC

Brahms's chamber music is for the educated palate. That there is no lack of people with educated palates in Wellington was proved in some degree by the audience which filled every seat in The Terrace Congregational Church school*room last night, when the Chamber Music Club gave an evening of unfamiliar Brahms. Though this genius had an infinitude of musical invention at command, including the rare gift of entrancing melody, he was no slave to mere beauty. One distinguished writer said of him: "'There is an unapproachable asceticism about, his genius that is opposed to all that is merely pleasing to the ear;” yet the passing of the years has served to strengthen his positiou among the masters —time does him reverence.

The works played consisted of the sonata for clarinet and piano (opus 120), the sonata for 'cello and piano in H minor (opus 38). and the trio for clarinet, 'cello and piano (opus 11-1), music th'atis not heard every day (or year, in this part of the world). With Dorothy Davies at the piano, 'Greta Ostavo 'cellist, and Jack McCaw clarinetist, these works were played with a sensitive appreciation and rare, understanding. It was somewhat of a novelty to hear the first-named sonata, featuring as it does the clarinet, yet Mr. McCaw has good command and a beautiful pianoissimo tone at his disposal, while the pianoforte part, richly scored, was delightfully played by Miss Davies. In the 'cello and piano sonata, the persistence in the use of the lower register for 'cello only' served to heighten the lovely pianoforte part, though the 'cellist, Greta Ostavo, had strength and admirable suavity of tone. Perhaps the highest peak achieved last evening was in the slow movement of the trio, in which grace, dignity and serenity abound. The trio was heartily applauded at the conclusion of the concert.