ORCHESTRAL CONCERT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28986, 29 August 1959, Page 15

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT

Chamber Music

Players

The players who have assembled in Christchurch for the National Chamber Music School which has been held this week, formed themselves into an orchestra to be conducted by Mr John Hopkins yesterday afternoon in the University. There were about 40 players. Although the main business of the week has been the study of chamber music—which has been done with marked thoroughness and much benefit has been gained thereby—and orchestral playing has been but a relaxation and a pastime, nevertheless, under Mr Hopkins’ inspiration, they produced a most pleasing tonal ensemble and followed their distinguished conductor’s directions for expression and shaping in a sensitive fashion. The orchestra was led by Miss Angela Connal, whose confidence and security of playing is a great help in orchestral forces here.

The programme bega,n with the first movement of Beethoven’s Pianoforte Concerto in C. William Langford was the soloist. His playing shows remarkable technical control and a musicianship which is quite extraordinary and far beyond his years. He playpd brilliantly and he and the orchestra gave an interesting and most pleasing interpretation.

The first movement of a Suite for Strings by Mr John Ritchie showed that the players could give the work the buoyancy of rhythm it demands; and they brought out its attractive harmonic texture skilfully Charming melodies were clearly delineated and combined in rich sounds.

Mr Graham Truscott, with the strings, played two movements of a Handel Clarinet Concerto. He produced a steady tone, good intonation, and a clear line. Then followed a portion of Grieg’s “Halberg” Suite. This was a little rocky at the beginning, but settled down quickly, giving a delightfully lyric touch to end the proceedings. Mr Hopkins congratulated the players on their efforts, and stressed the great value of such a school. Not only do the players receive good technical and interpretative training, but through their association they will be encouraged to gather into groups to make music once more take its old place in their homes. —C.F.B.