New Violin Concerto

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 20, 30 November 1928, Page 7

New Violin Concerto

> Work of Christchurch | Composer OS Wednesday, December 5; SYA will rebroadcast part of the concert which is to be given by the Christchurch Orchestral Society. An interesting feature of this broadcast will pe the fact that Christchurch and lis-teners-in will hear a new and as yet unpublished musical work. This is a composition by the society’s conductor, Mr. Angus Gunter, It is a Concertstuck in D Minor for violin and orches: tra, the soloist being Miss Joan Carter. a pupil of Mr. Gunter. The first petformgnce of this work will attract considerable attention, not merely in Ghristchurch but throughout the Dominion. ° A concertstuck is the recognised type of a.one-movement concerto, ofteu written in freer form with varied tempi and change of time signature. Mr. Gunter’s work is written in strict sonata form in the. manner of a sym phony. The solo instrument is regarded as an inseparable part of au organic whole; the accompaniment never sinks into the background, but is thematic and the characteristic motives are taken up again and again a ‘the different sections ‘of the hehestra. ut "Tt is absolute music." says Mr. Gunter. "But should a poetical idea be required it is that of an onstorming, ‘fearless young soul fighting against the cramping fetters of Fate," The first main theme is not heard nntil the Bist bar. since the orchestra. and later the solo violin, have an intro--ductory prelude built -on material which hints at the principal theme.

ome After both the first and second main themes have been stated, a slow section of the work is inserted, marking the beginning of an elaborate working: out part. The climax of this is a grand orchestral tutti, written in polyphonous style. The recapitulation follows orthodox lines. Attention may be drawn to the re-statement of the second main theme, now in the major key, and this time rhythmically allongated from 3/4 to 4/4 time. In a more or less turbulent work, this is a particularly restful song of tender, trusting innocence. The whole comes to a seemingly jubilant end, were it not for a slow epilogue full-of poignant emotion.