CHAMBER MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 102, 1 May 1936, Page 11

CHAMBER MUSIC.

SOCIETY'S FIRST CONCERT. TSCHAIKOWSKY'S TRIO. Despite the very unfavourable weather conditions, there was a fair attendance of music-lovers at the Lewis Eady Hall last evening when the Auckland Chamber Music Society presented an interesting programme for its opening concert of the season.

The first number to be given was Schumann's Piano Quartet in E Flat (Opus 47) played by Haydn Murray (violin), Amy Stevenson (piano), Lalla Hemus ('cello) and Dora Judson (piano). Except for an occasional lapse in intonation, due no doubt to the moist asmospherie conditions, the players gave an attractive periorinance of this melodious work, and one, judging by the applause which followed the conclusion of the "Finale," thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Especially noteworthy was the pianoistic ability and all-round musicianship of Miss Judson, to whom, in a large degree, may be attributed the success of both of last night's performances.

The second and concluding instrumental work 011 the programme was Tschaikowsky's Trio in A Major ("Elegy"), inscribed to "the memory of a great artist"—the great artist being Nicholas Rubinstein, brother of Anton, the famous pianist. It is a huge work, requiring about forty minutes for its full performance, and is remarkable, also,, for its almost orchestral bigness and breadth. The players were: Haydn Murray (violin), Lalla Hemus ('cello) and Dora Judson (piano). This performance was somewhat uneven at times, but still, cpnsidering the manifold difficulties ot the work with its varying moods and tempi, one that was most creditable to the players. One of the most enjoyable moments in the performance was the pianist's playing of the exquisite folk-song which the composer elaborates in the variations of the second movement. A vocal interlude between the two instrumental presentations was provided by the singing of a group of three lieder by Bruhms, those being "Auf clem see/' "Die Nnchtifjall, "So willst dudes Armen." The singer was Miss Dawn Harding, who demonstrated most convincingly that she has considerable gifts of artistic interpretation. In response to applause. Miss Harding returned to sing "Serenade, also by Brahms. Mrs. Eraser provided tasteful accompaniments to the lieder.