Three Strings

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 473, 16 July 1948, Page 8

Three Strings

HE string trio is a combination strangely difficult to handle. Players used to string quartets find the absence of the second violin disturbs their sense of balance and produces an* unsettling effect. None of this uncertainty was felt in the Beethoven Trio, Op. 9, No. 3, played from 3YA on Sunday, July 4, by the Northern String Trio. Rather was the broadcast an example of _firstclass string playing, rhythmical and pre. cise. Eric Lawson, a newcomer to the National Orchestra, is an acquisition to the’ ranks of New Zealand violinists, and his playing was a pleasure to listen to. Frieda Meier’s viola has never been heard better. Greta Ostova had less to do, and was placed too far from the microphone for her fine playing to tell sufficiently, In balance the trio was badly served in the control room; the viola was much too prominent and the ‘cello too weak. Though they call themselves the Northern Trio there was no northern restraint in their handling of Beethoven: his sforzandos were finely marked, though not enough was made of the pianissimo drops. The general effect of the trio, though, was exhilarating.