Magnificent Playing By Tessa Birnie

Press, Volume C, Issue 29517, 19 May 1961, Page 13

Magnificent Playing By Tessa Birnie

Last evening in the Civic Theatre Miss Tessa Birnie gave her hearers one of the most completely satisfying musical experiences they could desire. Her playing, judged by any standards, was truly magnificent. Complete integrity as an interpreter was shown in her unremitting search for the full beauty of every phrase in complete accordance with a wide appreciation of the style of the music. It must have been felt by many of her hearers that Schubert himself would have thought that his music was very well served indeed in the playing of this programme, which was devoted entirely to his compositions. Miss Birnie brought to her interpretations the result of deeply studious research from every possible source to find out exactcly what Schubert intended in tempi and dynamics. She has a technique that enables her to overcome every problem with ease and which is completely at the service of her poetic insight. She has the warmth of spirit to respond to the highly romantic content of the music. As a result, there was not one phrase which did not command the closest attention on the part of a listener nor any which could be called in question.

Experiences which Miss Birnie gave to her hearers (most of them seasoned con-cert-goers) are rare, and when they come somewhat unexpectedly they are all the more thrilling. Miss Birnie starts with the disadvantage —in drawing large audiences here—of being a New Zealander by birth. She is not known widely through gramophone records. She has not given a recital in Christchurch before, but, by heaven, it is greatly to be hoped that she will give verymany more in the years to come. The programme began with the Allegretto in C minor. The underlying tragedy of the work was brought out with warm sonority of tone. Although the music is deeply emotional, and was played as such, Miss Birnie added" nothing to it that was not inherent in the music. Her strongly dramatic qualities of playing were heard in the Sonata in B major D. 575. The touch was strong and there was a ringing clarity at all levels of expression. Schubert w-as the product of that indefinably musical permeation of the whole life of Vienna, and in his music he enshrined that spirit and enhanced it for the future. The andante has a lovely melody strongly reminiscent of part of his Deutschemesse. The last movement had effervescent gaiety,: but so much of Schubert's happiest music was hammered out from anguish of spirit. The bell motif and sense of foreboding which opens the A minor Sonata set the atmosphere for the convincing interpretation of the whole work. There was challenge, and many passages of serenely lyric beauty, and martial climaxes. Music of tender and gracious charm contrasted so convincingly with outbursts of intense vitality. One could not wish to hear a better performance of the great Sonata in B flat major D. 960. It is an overwhelming work when played as Miss Birnie gave it to us. She made the glorious melodies ripple forth, building up and falling away through varied gradations. with deeply poetic undw-standing. Superb control of Le keyboard was shown in ! her wonderful shading of pianissimo sounds. Declamatory passages came with strong dramatic impact, and sunshine and happiness glowed in this exquisitelypoised interpretation. Although the work is lona there was not one dull moment and a strong desire was felt that this music would not end. Miss Birnie is to be commended for playing no encores. Her programme had achieved an artistic unity which additions would have spoiled. By the addition of trivia, many performers al' too frequently throw to the winds a satisfying atmosphere which they have painstakingly created in their playing of great music. Whole-hearted ar.d spontaneous response to something very good is often rewarded with a string of encores which reach or pass the borders of vulgarity. That type of thing shows, on the part of the performer, little respect for the listeners' appreciation or intelligence. —C.F.B.