MUSIC RECITAL

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 3

MUSIC RECITAL

INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL. j A most enjoyable recital was given in the Lewis Eady Hull last night by three young Auckland artists: Miss Helen Gray, Violinist; Mr. Owen Jensen, pianist; and Mr. Arthur Thompson, baritone. The major part of the programme was in the capable hands of Mr. Jensen, who not only played the solo piano, but also shared tiie honours in the Cesar Franck sonata and the Schumann song-cycle. Mr. Jensen's solo piano contributions were Bach's Prelude and Fugue in C Major and "Italian Concert," also the Fantasia ir. C Major by Mozart. His playing throughout was noteworthy for simple and sincere artistry: ho produced a liquid tone, and interpreted with excellent taste. The Cesar Franck sonata for violin and piano revealed Miss Helen Gray, already favourably known as one of the most promising of our young violinists, to he a much-improved player. She displayed a nice breadth of tone, and was fully equal t', the technical difficulties of the work. Her playing is inclined to be rather cold at times, but temperament will, no doubt, be acquired as time goes on. Mr. Jensen s share of the sonata was played tastefully, but the piano part was too much in the background, and a much better balance would have been achieved had the lid of the piano been raised. Mr. Arthur Thompson's interpretation of Schumann s "TJichterliebe" was notable for direct sincerity, whilst his singing was characterised by clear-cut diction and artistic expression. Mr. Jensen, in the important piano accompaniment, combined with the singer with sympathetic understanding.