CHAMBER MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 251, 22 October 1937, Page 14

CHAMBER MUSIC.

SOCIETY'S FINAL CONCERT.

IX TK R EST IXG P ROG RAM M E

The outstanding composition in the programme presented at the Auckland Chamber Music Society's fourth and final concert of the season, given last evening in the Lewis Eady Hall, was Gabriel Fame's Piano Quartet, in C Minor. Played by Ina Boswort.li (violin), Lois Walls (viola), Lall.t Hemus (Cello) and Leo Whittaker (piano), this very attractive work of the French composer, with its fluid rhythms, was given a most attentive and appreciative healing by an audience that filled the seating ai-commodaf ion ori the floor of the hall. Opening with a somewhat austere Allegro, the quartet passes on to a vivacious Scherzo, which concludes with an Allegro vivo played effectively with muted strings.

A lovely Adagio in a meditative spirit follows, and a brisk Allegro brings the work to a bright conclusion. The players were heard at their best in this performance. presenting an evenly balanced ensemble with, for the most part, satisfying tone.

The same combination of players also performed Mozart's Piano Quartet in G Minor. Except for the lively Rondo, this work strikes a somewhat tragic note, both the opening Allegro and the following Andante being suggestive of gloom and pathos seldom associated with this composer. This was given a tasteful rendition. in which all the instruments, the violin in particular, were heard to advantage.

Schubert's "Trio for Violin. Viola and 'Cello" was interesting, in that it is one of the composer's earliest experiments in the composition of chamber music. Apart from this, however, although Schubert's great gift for melodious expression is in evidence throughout, the work, as a whole, tends towards monotony and fails to hold the interest of the average listener. The players in this, ina Bosworth (violin). Lois Walls (viola) and Lalla Hemus ('cello), made the most of a work which, definitely, is not one of Schubert's most attractive.

At the annual general meeting, which was held at the conclusion of the concert, the following office-holders were elected for the ensuing year:—President. Mr. E. Varley Hudson: vice-presidents. Professor Egerton. Dr. Makgill. Mr. R. Hipkins: committee. Mrs. if. Wilcox. Mrs. Gordon Robertson. Miss Ethel Hammond. Mr. Fleming and officers ex-officio; honorary secretary. Mrs. Julia Fenton.

Tn presenting the annual report. Mr. Varley Hud son. the newly-elected president. referred to the gratifying increase in the number of subscribers, with consequent increase to the society's credit balance at the end of the financial year. He also made feeling reference to the heavy loss sustained by the societv in the death ofi ts late president. Mr. Roger F. Fenton. one of its founders. Throughout. 'ears. Mr. Hudson went on to sav. Mr. Fenton had been the mainstay of the organisation, his tact, enthusiasm and canaci+v for hard wo r k having done much to stenr it successfully- through the dark and difficult days of the and it was largclv owing to his efforts ♦ hat the societv had reached it« present flourishing condition. ""Island's in general, and the Music Society in particular, ndded Mr. Hudson, owed a great d"l>t to Bnorcr Fenton.