CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28984, 27 August 1959, Page 15

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

Lili Kraus, Francis

Rosner Ensemble

A splendid concert was given in the Civic Theatre last evening, under the management of the Christchurch Chamber Music Society, by Lili Kraus and the Francis Rosner Ensemble.

The programme began with Lili Kraus, Francis Rosner, Laurel Perkins, and Marie Vandewart playing Mozart’s Quartet for Piano and Strings in B flat major. K. 493 The string players produced incisive, mellow, and well rounded tone, excellently balanced and showing unity of ideas and purpose. Lili Kraus is an acknowledged expert, in any company, as an Interpreter of Mozart. Her playing had the radiance of the sun shining on dew drops, and every phrase came forth glowing with life. The first movement soared out las a happy song of trust. The phrasing was immaculate and the matching of tonal colouring and expression was delightful. The second movement was serene and full of tender compassion. Then, in the rondo, in quietness and tranquillity many things were pleasantly recollected. Lili Kraus, Francis Rosner, and Marie Vandewart. then played Beethoven’s Trio for piano, violin and ’cello in C minor, Op. 1 No. 3 this music came more into the out-of-doors. Dynamic levels and contrasts were heightened, and at times it was full of fight. The first movement was interpreted with a nice balance between its moods of Intense challenge and lyric beauty of repose and shapeliness. The second movement came with graceful and warm singing. It pursued its way through colourful variations, rising sometimes almost to pianoforte concerto level, dropping to a sad and plaintive longing, bursting out in shimmering flight, and then dying away with a sigh. The minuetto was music of nervous agitation: and Lili Kraus's gorgeous rippling runs will long be remembered with delight. The last movement was thrillingly exuberant. All doubts were resolved and then the music quietly folded away.

The last work was Schubert’s ever-popular “Trout” Quintet. Gail Jensen, playing the double bass, joined the others for this performance. It was quietly and most clearly played—sometimes, as far as the strings were concerned, possibly even understated. But there was life and movement and excellent cohesion. It all bubbled forth graciously with Schubert’s love of life, and was as health-giving as a good day’s fishing. —C.F.B.