SONG AND PIANO.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 180, 31 July 1940, Page 16

SONG AND PIANO.

STUDENTS' JOINT RECITAL. The Lewis Eady Hall was well filled last evening Tjrhen a tastefully-chosen programme of songs and pianoforte numbers was presented in a joint recital given by two young students of music, Kena Edwards, soprano, and Tessa Birnie, pianist, both pupils of Mr. Owen Jensen. Their offerings were well varied and covered a wide range. - R.ena Edwards sang compositions by Orlando di Lasso, Handel, Richard Strauss, Hugo Wolf, Delius, Dunhill,' Hageman, Haydn and Owen Jensen, all being delivered with fine I expression. This charming young singer possesses a very pretty soprano voice which she controls with considerable artistic effect, while both her intonation and enunciation are excellent.

Tessa Birnie, a most promising young pianist, demonstrated unmistakably in her selections, which included works by Bach, Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Liszt, Debussy, John Ireland, Cyril Scott, Schumann, also a clever little composition of her own, that 'she has much technical ability, a facile touch and an exceptional ! memory. As an "accompanist, too, Miss ltirnie proved that, like her teacher, Mr. Owen Jensen (who also gave support to the singer at the piano in many of her numbers), she is unusually gifted.

/. The appreciation of the audience was expressed by warm and well-deserved applause throughout the evening, and alsc by many beautiful floral and other gift.presented at the conclusion of the recital.