The Week’s Music...

New Zealand Listener, Volume 35, Issue 892, 7 September 1956, Page 18

The Week’s Music...

by

SEBASTIAN

LITTLE while ago I mentioned the visiting pianist Désirée MacEwan, who has now given us a fairly representative selection of» recitals (YC links) with which to assess her playing. In general it is neat and precise, with an imménse regard for the letter of the law, and often for the spirit as well; but she pleases most in works where the need for emotion is subordinate to the style and form. The posthumous B Flat Sonata of Schubert, for instance, came off very well indeed, and its strivings being implicit in the music, there was no need for the performer to strain after effect. Her Debussy was also pleasing, but when it came to the Mozart Concerto in E Flat (K.449), there was a certain flatness and lack of sparkle that was not appropriate, even in this concerto, whose themes do not lilt as appealingly as some of the others. This was with the National Orchestra conducted by James Robertson, and with the same musicians Miss MacEwan plaved Fauré’s Ballade for Piano and Orchestra, with more intensity and, I rather think, better-tone, Certainly the Orchestra supported with what sounded like a bit more enthusiasm. These latter two works were included in studio concerts; Samuel Barber’s | "School for Scandal" Overture figured 4

also in one of them, an interesting piece with a fair amount of immediate appeal, being by no means radical in treatment, unlike so many contemporary American works: but then, Barber is conventional enough almost to be included in an earlier generation of composers. The same programme also contained Schumann’s Fourth Symphony (in an orchestral revision which doubtless improves its audience appeal no end); this was well played, too, with an encouraging certainty of attack and a joie de vivre that contradicted the minor key of the work. We have bid au revoir to Sir Bernard Heinze, but we can remember with pleasure some of the new works and interpretations he has brought to our notice. There was the jolly Ninth Symphony of Shostakovich, hardly of a stature to compete with other symphonies, but well worth the carefree performance it had (NZBS); the quality of Sibelius’s Second Symphony spoke of hard rehearsal (2YC). Though the trumpets had been pared from the original forty to three in Handel’s Royal Firewotks Music, the effect was never anaemic, for the lamb was tempered to the shorn wind with exciting results. Thus ended another tour; as a conductor, Sir Bernard has been inspiring--as a guest, charming. We look forward to another visit.