O’BYRNE SCHOOL RECITAL

Southland Times, Issue 24240, 25 September 1940, Page 3

O’BYRNE SCHOOL RECITAL

« DELIGHTFUL PIANO PLAYING PROCEEDS TO PATRIOTIC FUND Delightful pianoforte playing was heard in the Women’s Club room last night when the senior pupils of the O’Byrne School of Music took part in a recital, the proceeds from which are to be giveir to the Patriotic Fund. There was a large audience. The programme opened with Miss Shirley Matheson playing “Minuet,” by Mozart. She treated this piece with the delicacy it required. “Beetle Dance” by Holst was played by Misses Joan Simmonds and Shirley Mitchell and both gave a sympathetic performance. For a young player, Miss Rona Holloway showed considerable ability in her interpretation of “Arabesque” by W. Lovelock. “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” was performed as a duo by Misses S. Gough and I. Nelson. The delightful and melodious theme was given full effect and the unity of the players contributed not a little to the success of the item.

Debussy’s “La Plus Que Lente” was played in artistic style by Miss Audrey Stone, a good rhythm being maintained throughout. Attacking her piece in spirited style, Miss H. McKenzie pleased the audience with her playing of “Valse Mauresque,” by Coleridge Taylor. “In the Ballroom” was brightly played as a duo by Misses Joan Simmonds and Shirley Mitchell. Some delightful contrasts were achieved by Mrs R. Maslin in her performance of “Wedding Day,” by Grieg. Her climaxes were excellently developed and in the chordal passages she was most effective. “Danse Macabre,” by Saint Saens, is always a. popular pianoforte item and last evening when it was performed as a double duo the effect was very pleasing. The players were Misses D. Anderson, A. Stone, R. Holloway and I. Nelson. There is an interesting story attached to this piece and the explanatory comment by Miss Stone enabled the audience fully to appreciate the selection. “Travelogue,” by J. Thompson, consisting of a minuet, a Dutch dance and a Czardas, a Hungarian dance, was distinctively played by Miss Joan Simmonds. The popular “11 Bacio” was played as a duet by Misses L. Diack and M. McMillan. Mr Desmond Stone was heard in the well-known “Country Gardens,” arranged by Percy Grainger. The dramatic song, “The Erl King,” by Schubert, was played by Misses D. Anderson and A. Stone and ’ this duo was One of the outstanding items of the evening. A delightful interpretation of “Devotion,” by Schumann, was given by Miss D. Anderson and her solo was a popular one. Miss S. Gough was heard in “Lotus Land,” by Cyril Scott, and throughout her playing was of a high standard. Another outstanding item was “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2” by Lizst, which was played as a duet by Misses D. Anderson and I. Nelson. The final pianoforte item was a double duo, “Invitation to the Dance” (Weber), the performers being Mrs R. Maslin and Misses J. Rose, S. Gough and J. Korrell.

Interludes were provided by Miss I. Fenn and Mrs B. W. Hewat. Miss Fenn gave an elocutionary item, “The Vow,” by Sir Gilbert Parker, and Mrs Hewat sang “Thou Art A Lovely Flower” and “Rain.” Mrs A. E. H. Bath was the ■accompanist for Mrs Hewat.

A vote of thanks to Mrs F. Jones, principal of .the school, and to the performers was carried by acclamation. Mrs Jones was presented with a bouquet from the Women’s Club members.