QUARTETS AND SONGS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 110, 12 May 1939, Page 14

QUARTETS AND SONGS.

WORKS BY MR. ALFRED HILL

STRING QUARTETS AND SONGS.

!A recital of string quartets and songs , with string quartet accompaniments, given I in the University Hall last evening, was I unique in so far as that each and every number on the programme was the work of one New Zealand composer, Mr. Alfred Hill. Mr. Hill ie best known to fame as a composer of Maori songs and cantatas. Last night's programme, however, revealed him in a lesser known light, that of a composer who is capable of presenting most charmingly his musical conceptions through that difficult, but most refined form of musical expression—the string quartet. Mr. Hill has composed some 17 of these, and the quartet chosen for performance last evening was his Opus. 13, in E Flat, this being the opening presentation. The players were:—Helen Gray (tirst violin), Moya Cooper-Smith (second violin), Alfred Hill (viola) and Trevor de Clive Lowe ('cello). Arresting chorda open a short Adagio in this musicanly composition, passing on to an Allegro molto with well contested themes. A charming Scherzo, beautifully harmonised, follows to be succeeded by a '"Barcarole," a very melodious and truly delightful movement. A vigorous and interestingly treated Allegro con brio brings the work to a brilliant close. ''Three Gaelic Airs," arranged for string quartet, were the other instrumental numbers. These were: —"My Lover Wounded," a somewhat sad air; "Glorious Wellington" (not our capital city), to which Mr. Hill has provided a beautifully ■ harmonised arrangement; the brisk and humorous "Willies' Auld Trews"— another effective arrangement. The playing of the ensemble in the . quartets, also in the accompaniments, was notable for perfect balance, excellent tone r and intonation, delicate expression and a most artistic regard for nuance, the outcome, doubtless, of thorough rehearsal under the expert guidance of such a i finished musician as Mr. Hill. ' Miss Sybil Phillipps, who was in excel--1 lent form, sang brilliantly three vocal i numbers with string accompaniment; "Mopoke," a very beautiful Delius-like air i which won for the composer the first prize in a song composition sponsored by the . Australian Broadcasting Commission; ( "Teora's Song of Farewell," taken from one of Mr. Hill's earlier operas, and "The I'assing of Sir Tristan." a dramatic aria 1 inspired by an episode in Wagner's opera ; "Tristan and Isolde." both very inspiring . numbers. Miss Phillipps Bang throughoul with appropriate verve and fine tonal clarity. The clarity of her diction, howover, was not quite so good. A large audience appreciated to the full a most enjoyable recital. At the conclusion Professor J. F. Hollinrake thanked Mr. Hill and the performers for the treat they had provided. Mr. Hill, in replying e thanked those who had helped to make th« 5 recital a success. An interesting announce j ment regarding the possibility of there ' being four more recitals was also made.