Opus One

New Zealand Listener, Volume 13, Issue 338, 14 December 1945, Page 9

Opus One

HE Bach Partita in B’ Flat Major, which was played the other night by Owen Jensen from 1YA, was specially recommended for universal exhibition by the composer himself. At the age of 41, with many of his now well-known works already long in private circulation, Baca chose this Partita for his first actual publication, and modestly labelled it Opus 1. If it is not too late, one would like to congratulate him on his choice. It has a more melodious and immediate appeal than any other of the keyboard suites, and for lasting qualities there are only one or two to rival it. Mr. Jensen will soon be suspected of having a weakness for Bach, as he has now broadcast several of the Suites. In playing this very lovable Partita, he went much further than most people towards giving it the kind of treatment it deserves. This is a‘ cheerful work, but the cheerfulness is of a gentle pastoral kind, never dramatic or exuberant-that, at least, is the way Mr. Jensen took it, and it sounded convincing. He demonstrated also another virtue of this amiable piece, which programme organisers might note as it applies to the other suites too: that is the accommodating way it fits into those awkward moments between 7.30 and, U.S.A. News. Each of the short, separate movements is in binary form, and repeats may be taken as optional. By judicious manipulation of these repeats to suit the needs of the studio clock, the performer can make the suite finish at precisely the right minute and save listeners the jarring effect of a fill-in.