Enthusiastic Reception For Niven Miller

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28697, 22 September 1958, Page 13

Enthusiastic Reception For Niven Miller

The Civic Theatre was crowded for Niven Miller’s Second concert on Saturday evening. He deserved and was given a highly enthusiastic reception. This second programme did not have quite as many highlights as the first. It opened with 13 Hebridean songs. While they have beautiful melodies, they have not as a general rule, the same bite as the authentic Scottish songs and some of the arrangements could have done with a bit more fire. Also they were possibly not entirely what the audience was hoping for or, perhaps not quite so many. However, Mr Miller sang them with great artistry and understanding. He gave them a tenuous unity by making them tell the story of Roddie and Mairie—their courtship and married life. The Island Weaving Song, "Ho Ro! My Nut brown Maiden.” “The Ossianic Processional.” and "The Cockle Gatherer” were among the best of them. The “Road to the Isles” which began and ended the group was also a delight. In the short classical section of the programme Mr Miller’s excellent voice and his polished technique were heard to best advantage. He began with the "Toreador’s Song” from Carmen. It was sung with the dash and swirl it needs; and by tonal colour and vivacity in interpretation, Mr Miller gave a faithful characterisation and showed that he can create the illusion of costume, scenery, and even of the presence of other people on the stage, when singing an operatic aria. This was also true of his singing of "Non piu Andrai” from Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro,” Mr Miller’s voice and style is ideally suited to Mozart. Ireland’s “Sea Fever” was a perfect model of interpretation, and "Man is for the Woman Made” by Purcell had

plenty of joyous vitality. Schubert’s “Erl King” was sung with clever changing of tone to suit the different characters in the song. This short programme showed Mr Miller’s mastery of various styles and it is to be hoped that sometime we will get an opportunity of hearing him do a whole programme of this type of music. The last part of the programme was given over to songs by Robert Burns. These were excellent and Mr Miller has everything needed for success in such a group. There was plenty of variety and the music was charming. "Bonnie Wee niing,” and “Ae Fond Kiss” were sung with captivating tenderness. "The Dell’s awa wi’ the Excise Man” and “Up in the Morning’s No for Me” were put across with tremendous verve. It was a great group for the Scots, and there was no "taking any water with it” either in performance or in reception. Every word that Mr Miller sings is perfectly clear. His shaping of phrasing is a delight to hear, and he has a great variety of timbres all most aptly applied. Everything is splendidly rhythmical and his vivacious personality shines through every song. Mr Robert Sutherland is a splendid accompanist. The music ripples forth and faithfully supports all the artistry of the singer's interpretations. Mr Miller will give another recital on October 7. —C.F.B.