CONCERT BY RONALD MOON STRING ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 13

CONCERT BY RONALD MOON STRING ORCHESTRA

The annual concert of the Ronald Moon String Orchestra is always an interesting and pleasing function. It is cheering to see so many of these young plhyers growing up and advancing in technique and musical experience, and showing—by continuing to serve in the orchestra through the years—that they value the help and inspiration given to them by Mr and Mrs Moon. They well may do so, because there has been so much devoted and hard work behind the steady advances in standards of performance and the gradual unfolding of the possibilities of concerted instrumental playing. Several players who have been with this orchestra since they were young children, are now studying music at the university and the interest and encouragement given to them, through their association with this orchestra, has been of great importance both to them and to the cause of music in Christchurch. This concert was given in the University Hall on Saturday evening. We are fortunate to have this hall with its beautiful appearance and excellent acoustic qualities for concerts of this type It would be hard to find another hall in the country which fulfils its purpose so well. The orchestra played with precision and—except for a few lapses—with very good intonation. There was unanimity and confidence in the use of the bows, and the phrasing was clearly outlined. In stronger passages there was a fullness and sonority to the tone. Further exploration of the possibilities of expressive range and variety at softer levels awaits these players and will bring its excitement to them Care should be taken in control when an upward movement of the bow occurs on the third beat of the bar in triple time. Often—particularly in the Suite of three Pieces by Thomas Arne which began the programme—a false accent was thus given which detracted from the shape of the music. Very attractive tone on muted instruments was heard in the andapte from a Mozart Suite arranged by Barbirolli, and a further andante by Mozart, be-

ginning the second half of the programme, was played with clear cantabile tone and attractively expressive qualities. Mr John Ritchie conducted the orchestra and Mr Ronald Moon was the viola soloist in a concerto by Telemann. The sheer beauty of tone of the viola should attract many more people to learning it. This was gracious music with stirring vivacity, strong rhythmic movement, and rich .and vibrant tone in the second and last sections. Mr Moon produced a beautifully mellow and singing tone in the cantilene melody in the third movement.

A little suite, based on Catalan turies, arranged by Alan Rawsthorne, and a Concerto for Pianoforte and Strings, by Armstrong Gibbs, with Miss Anna Lockwood playing the solo part, were both attractive and excellently suited to the requirements of these players. Miss Lockwood played the concerto. and works by Debussy and Medtner. with highly pleasing tonal variety and thoroughly musical expression. It is delightful to hear an instrument sing in this way. Her composition—a tango—had intriguing harmonic and rhythmic qualities and showed a free and poetic imagination.

Miss Angela Connal and Mr Malcolm Mackie showed flexable technique and very good promise as violin soloists. Both were accompanied in throughly musicianly style and understanding by Mrs Moon. Miss Connal played the first movement from Lalo’s Symphonic Espagnole and Mr Mackie played the first movement of Grieg's Sonata in C minor. There was a great deal in their playing worthy of high commendation. When works are being chosen for young soloists it is a good guiding principle that those works should not be beyond the range of their emotional experience.

Mr Moon conducted the orchestra with a firm and clearlyguiding hand. Under his guidance the players kept excellent balance, sustained the rhythm, and produced many pleasing effects of tonal ensemble.—C.F.B.