MUSIC FOR PIANO AND VIOLIN

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 27148, 18 September 1953, Page 5

MUSIC FOR PIANO AND VIOLIN

CANTERBURY COLLEGE RECITAL

A lunch-time recital held at Canterbury University College yesterday was given by Vivien Dixon (violinist), and Haagen Holenberg (piano). The programme consisted of the Romanza from Opus 45 by Greig, and Sonata m E minor, Opus 24, by a nineteenthcentury Swedish composer, Emil Sjoegren. Miss Dixon played in a very satisfying manner. Her technical and interpretative powers left nothing to be desired; perhaps a programme of music which would test her a little more fully would be preferable. The sonata by Sjoegren is a pleasant work in the late romantic style. The themes are well set out for the violin, and the whole sonata shows a good style of technique in string writing. There are, however, no striking melodies, no evidence of thoughtful or interesting development. The work may be called a “salon” sonata; of the kind popular at the end of the last century.

Mr Holenberg gave competent support at the piano, although the accompaniment in the Sjoegren was not a good example of pianistic writing. The Grieg Romanza, also a pleasant piece of drawing-room music, was perhaps marred by the pianist’s tendency to overpedal. It is to be hoped that at the next appearance of these two players, the choice of programme will be more equal to their undoubted musical ability. —P.G.Z.