PIANO MUSIC BY IRELAND

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27402, 15 July 1954, Page 7

PIANO MUSIC BY IRELAND

RECITAL IN COLLEGE I HALL ' ' i Three pianists, Jennifer Barnard, Margaret Nielsen, and William | Hawkey, gave yesterday’s recital at the ( Canterbury University College Hall as part of the John Ireland music festival. The programme included “The Fott gotten Rite,” arranged by the composer for four hands; “Epic March,” arranged by John Ritchie for two pianos; the Sonatina, the Rhapsody,, and nine miniatures for solo piano. The Sonatina, played by Miss Barnard, is lighter in texture than most of Ireland’s writing for piano. Many parts bear a striking resemblance to the work of the French impressionist school—tenuous glittering pages that pour out a shimmering cascade of sound. The first movement opens with a haunting melody, which is very lightly harmonised. The second movement is curious in that the musical subject is of a chunky character, and this prevents the creation of a continuous flow of melody. The effect »is one of abruptness, and it contrasts well with the rapid bustling of the rondo. The work as a whole is like quicksilver: the. impression is rather on the senses than on the mind.

The Rhapsody displays another facet of Ireland’s individuality. There is the familiar harmonic laconism, the conciseness of expression which is a feature of the composer’s style. Wedded to this is his imaginative treatment cf the full keyboard range. ‘‘Three London Pieces” and three of 1 the “Four Preludes” show Ireland as? a worthy successor to Grieg and De-! bussy as a miniaturist. Notable for* their imaginative content and power to evoke atmosphere were “Obsession,” “Chelsea Reach,” and “Ragamuffin.” The standard of this recital was well well up to that maintained throughout the whole festival. The careful study of the music made by the three soloists was fully rewarded by the fine performances given. They succeeded in imparting their own love and understandir the works to an apprqcia- ..- for the police, and McGrau., "