Gilopez Kabayao, Janetta McStay Give Recital

Press, Volume C, Issue 29554, 1 July 1961, Page 9

Gilopez Kabayao, Janetta McStay Give Recital

The Civic Theatre was filled on Thursday evening foir a violin and pianoforte recital given by the violinist, Gilopez Kabayao. and the pianist, Janetta McStay. The concert was arranged by the Christchurch Chamber Music Society. Mr Kabayao is a young Filipino violinist who deserves the high reputation he has gained. His playing is graceful and is wellgrounded technically. His interpretations show a careful regard for the style of the music and are marked by deeply-felt sensibility. Miss McStay. who is no stranger to Christchurch audiences, played with security and imagination. Just occasionally the balance between the instruments both in volume and in tonal colouring was not entirely happy, but this is not usually achieved in music of this type until players have been associated for a long time. The programme began with Beethoven’s Sonata in D major, Op. 12, No. 1. Mr Kabayao opened with a crisply clear tone of beautiful singing quality, and it soon became apparent that he had a sensitive regard for expression. Runs were played with vitality and clarity, and his unfolding of the plan of the first movement was convincing. Lyrical playing was heard in the second movement—a theme and variations. There was an attractive mellowness in the playing and in this, and in all his playing, the phrasing was immaculate. Although the music is mainly tender and reflective in spirit there is a strong feeling of aspiration as well, and both were developed most ably. A gracious liveliness was the chief feature of the last movement. Bach's Sonata No. 3 in C major for unaccompanied violin was next—a spiritually stimulating and lovely work and one which is a severe test for any player. Mr Kabayao played it excellently and held the audience's attention closely. The first movement was reflective and was played with beautiful tone in flowing leggato phrasing. The great fugue opened boldly and there was plenty to wonder at and to enjoy in addition to the sheer brilliance of the writing. There was firm rhythmic control and excellent clarity of partplaying with beautiful tonal effects and a strong sense of design in the performance. The third movement was interpreted in restful manner, in a way which was full of feeling without being sentimental. and the last movement had joyous ebullience. The playing of the whole work was a tour de force. Romantic Style Hindemith’s Sonata in E flat proved to be a lovely little work in romantic style. The first movement began and ended with a short and challenging figure in martial style but was mainly concerned with the development of a lyrical mood. It was all somewhat surprisingly tuneful. The second movement was a gem played with lovely pianissimo tone. It was misty music, attractive both harmonically and in its underlying strength of texture.

The programme ended with the Cesar Franck Sonata. Some day a concert violinist is going to make

quite a reputation in Christchurch by not playing the Cesar Franck Sonata. During the last 15 years visiting violinists, almost without exception. have played this work. It is a glorious sonata and one of the very finest works in violin literature, but there are so many other major works worthy of being heard, and the time has come when we would like to hear some of them for a change. This interpretation did not follow quite such a wide plan as some of the others have. Nevertheless it was convincing, sincerely felt, and had complete unity within the limits of its reading. It did not produce the unforgettable atmosphere of the interpretations of Odnaposoff (the best of all). of Isaac Stern, or of Menuhin to mention but a few of the greatest, but it was capably played and was thoroughly enjoyable. It was certainly a much better performance than some we have had. —C.F.B.