CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27712, 16 July 1955, Page 2

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

Superb Playing By Rosner Ensemble

The Christchurch Chamber Music Society gave its subscribers another excellent concert last evening in tne Canterbury University College Hall. The artists were the Rosner Chamber Music Ensemble, who are all members of the National Orchestra. If we are to have concerts of this kind fairly frequently when the National Orchestra visits us, then the orchestra’s visits will be doubly welcome. Those who attend the Chamber Music Society’s concerts comprise our most discerning audience. They were roused to the greatest enthusiasm by the altogether splendid playing which they enjoyed last evening. These artists deserved the great ovation they received. .

The programme began with Beethoven’s Septet in E flat major, Op. 20, for violin (Mr Francis Rosner), violoncello (Mr Farquhar Wilkinson), viola (Mr Antoni Bonetti), clarinet (Mr Peter Kyng), bassoon (Mr Robert Girvan), horn (Mr Peter Glen) and double bass (Mr Johan van Gellekom) The university hall made a very suitable setting for this beautiful composition and for a combination of instruments rarely heard here, except in u full orchestra. The atmosphere of the building, the strange sweetness of the sounds and, be it added, the standard of the playing, all combined to give an old-world quality to the concert. It was a pleasant interlude which suspended. for a restful period, the business and the stresses of everyday hie. The antiphonal effects of strings answered by horn and wood-wind were charming in the extreme. The quality of tone from each instrument was round, clear, and artistically alive. The balance could not be called in question, and in rhythmic precision as well as in expressive phrasing the whole thing was most satisfying and exciting. It would be invidious to make any distinction among these players, but special mention must be made of the glorious tone of the clarinet and the astonishing flexibility and expression with which Mr van Gellekom played that all-too-often galumphing instrument, the double bass.

The beauty of this performance was haunting, and one regretted that it had to end.

Then there followed Mozart’s Quartet in E flat major for Pianoforte and Strings. The pianist was Miss Janetta McStay. We have had many eminent pianists with chamber music ensembles here, but none has impressed more strongly than Miss McStay did at this concert. Her playing was superb in its sheer brilliance of clarity, rhythmic grip, splendid rounding of phrasing, and telling, expressive quality. So far as the pianoforte part is concerned, the work is of concerto character and stature. It was fully realised in Miss McStay’s playing in all its aspects, but at no time did she upset the most admirable balance with which all players invested the work. The tonal quality of the string playing was warm and vibrant, and the performance was stylish and really polished. Schubert’s lovely “Trout” Quintet made just the right ending for this concert. Once more, a most eminently satisfying performance was given. It was all well prepared and poised. That added richness which the double bass can give was fully apparent in the tone of the whole ensemble.

Miss McStay’s playing was again most thrilling in all its musidanly attributes, and the strings matched it in vigour and vitality. The famous variations on “The Trout” melody •ame off splendidly. There was no stroke-hauling,” nor any other

poacher’s trick, to upset the balance of an excellent performance. Thanks must be given to Mr Francis Rosner, who is the guiding spirit of this most valuable group of chamber music players. Their work reflects all that one would expect from his wide and accomplished musicianship. —C.F.B.