TALENTED MUSICIANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 628, 3 April 1929, Page 14

TALENTED MUSICIANS

IZARD SISTERS' CONCERT The first concert of the season now being given by the Misses Constance and Margaret Izard, took place in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last night, in the presence of a critical and appreciative audience, which included her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson and party. Tho programme contained many fine numbers, and it was a pleasure to hear pood music well played and thoughtfully interpreted, though possibly one occasionally felt that finished workmanship and sound judgment may have outbalanced subtlety and romance. But there is no doubt of the great talent and skill of these two young ladies, and the recital was a very pronounced success. The violinist. Miss Constance Izard, has a serviceable technique, and gets a tone of good breadth and character, while the ’cellist. Miss Margaret, displays great technical ability, secures a fine tone, and exhibits sterling musicianship in her work. Both ladies have a cultured style and show evident enjoyment in their playing. An unaccompanied “Passacaglia” of Handel introduced the players, and received a praiseworthy performance, though the opening bars were given out a little diffidently. Some of the succeeding varied repetitions were remarkably well done, and the ensemble was delightful. Of the other unaccompanied duets, Danbe’s gay and dainty “Musette” was most enjoyable, as were also Grieg’s “Wiegenlied” and Daquin’s “Cuckoo,” these two latter arranged by the executants. All three were charmingly played, and the “Wiegenlied” displayed genuine artistry. The “Londonderry Air” was not a perfect arrangement, and the playing seemed a little inflexible now and again. Two extra duets were enjoyable encores, especially the Bach item. In solo work the violinist was heard to advantage in several numbers, particularly in the delicate and elusive “Habanera” by Ravel, which had to be repeated, while Cansson’s romantic “Poeme” was also well portrayed. There was evidence of a fine spiritual conception of the work, and the playing was scholarly and compelling. The familiar Pugnani-Kreisler “Prelude and Allegro” required a bigger style and greater sense of climax in the introduction, and the Chopin “Nocturne in I> Flat” seemed a trifle businesslike, while the double-stopping was not always impeccable. Brahm’s “Lullaby” was tastefully played as an encore to the violin group. Miss Margaret Izard’s first ’cello solo was a 17th century sonata by Eccles. It was characterised by some fine

broad tone, but perhaps missed a lit:, of th© Old World atmosphere of piece. In her other numbers, hoV ever, she was wholly delightful Glazounov’s Italian-like “Serenar she played with just the right confil.and nonchalant style that is wan>In Bach’s lovely "Arioso," good tone nuance, breadth and legato were ysatisfying characteristics; a wit merited repetition was insistently !* manded. Popper’s glittering “Taretelle” was given with quite danh;.bri.liance, and as an encore Sair Saen's "Le Cygne" was generous:: added. At the piano Mr. Bernard Page let: very valuable aid. His accompanimre: were invariably artistic and musician!; and contributed greatly to the succof the solos. The next concert of the series taiplace in the same hall on Thumb evening next, when another spirali: programme will be given. S.KJ