Clauson’s Concert One Of Charm And Grace

Press, Volume C, Issue 29539, 14 June 1961, Page 17

Clauson’s Concert One Of Charm And Grace

A visit from William Clau- j sOn is always a popular 1 event, as was shown by the < audience which filled the Civic ' Theatre for his concert last 1 evening. His pleasing and i friendly manner on the stage 1 helps greatly to gain him i popularity with audiences < throughout the world, but a i well-controlled voice, pro- I duced with perfect clarity, a 1 wide coUection of folk songs < which make instant appeal, i and a first-class ability to put them across in fetching inter- : pretations, all combine to i make him a most favoured 1 troubadour. i William Clauson has the I ability to convey through his i singing that spirit which < caused folk songs to come i into existence in order to < satisfy man’s need to express 1 simple though deep emotion i in song. He is, therefore, 1 thoroughly grounded in a basic and enduring culture. I In addition to his expres- < sive singing, which is always i deft and musicianly, Wil- ' liam Clauson is a superb J

player of the guitar and the lute. His playing of the accompaniments is, in some ways, even more fascinating than his singing. Everything is beautifully phrased, and he has a wide variety of expression within the limited range of tone that these instruments allow. The arrangements are not elaborate, but they are quite sufficient, and each is a little gem shown in a telling light. Since his last visit there seems to be an added smoothness to the performances. We heard several old favourites, and the words of many of these have been improved and added to. Many new and charming songs were heard, and all of these should find considerable favour from the many people who so greatly admire the art of William Clauson. There is authenticity of atmosphere in his singing of each nation's songs. His Irish songs seem to be so much more satisfying than most Irish singers seem to make them. His Spanish and South American songs have a convincing Latin temperament in interpretation and his singing of these is quite delightful. They give great opportunity for virtuosity on the guitar. From a long list of songs, all quite delightful, special mention must be made of “The Oyster Girl," the splendid rendering of “Cockles and Mussels,” and the new edition of the “Three Jolly Huntsmen.” But is is hard to choose when everything is done with such charm and grace. —C.F.B