The Week's Music...

New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 783, 23 July 1954, Page 10

The Week's Music...

by

OWEN

JENSEN

‘THE Alex Lindsay String Orchestra’s July 8 broadcast on the YC link was a milestone in the life of the orchestra and of broadcasting, too. This is the first time, I think, that’ a wholly professional independent group has been engaged on a fregular basis by the NZBS and certainly the first time the national link has been used for this purpose. As for the Orchestra, it must surely feel that its struggles to establish itself as a permanent organisation are about over. Most significant work in the programme was the Auckland composer Carrick Thompson’s Prelude: Hill Country, which, despite some arid spots where the music seemed to stop still wondering which hill to climb next, proved. to be a work of: vitality and attractive lyrical quality. The Lindsay Orchestra had obviously given the music devoted attention. Donald Munro, associated with the Orchestra in Finzi’s "Let Us Garlands Bring,’ gave a convincing performance of music which one feelg does not always make the best of Shakespeare’s words. An anachronism in the programme was the use of piano continuo in the Telemann Overture. Maybe the NZBS will run to a harpsichord sometime. Most sensational broadcast of the week was Bela Siki’s performance of

the Liszt Sonata.in B Minor (YC link). Technically and musically it was a, tour-de-force. A few nights previously Bela Siki had given some crystal clear Bach and an _ intelligently conceived presentation of Beethoven’s Sonata in A Flat, Op. 110, all of which were the stamp of a first-rate pianist, unheralded by any fanfare of gramophone, records, but nevertheless "one out of the box" In a week of some of the most exciting broadcasts for some time, -Janetta McStay’s piano playing with Maurice Clare in sonatas by Hindemith and Francaix (YC link) was outstanding. Maurice Clare’s share in the broadcast had the finesse we have come to expect of him. For singing there was Andrew Gold and Pamela Woolmore in a charm-. ingly lightish but beautifully sung programme of solos and duets (YA link). And several stars, too, for Warwick Braithwaite’s spoken introduction to his National Orchestra’s performance of Moussorgsky’s Pictures from an Exhibition (YC link), a note of informality that went well with Moussorgsky’s art gallery promenade. For something off the beaten track, Roy Hill’s Wellington Madrigal Group made most interesting, listening in J. C. Bach’s "Three Songs of Mourning," with organ and bassoon accompaniment. Altogether this was a week of exceptional enjoyment. rere