Magnificent Recital By Irene Kohler

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 13

Magnificent Recital By Irene Kohler

So far this season we have had several excellent pianoforte recitals, and yesterday afternoon. in the University Hall. Miss Irene Kohler played three Invention by Bach 'and the Brahms Variations on a theme by Paganini. There was a very large

audience which thoroughly enjoyed her briiliamt playing. The first two Inventions, in A minor and in B minor, were well contrasted. The first bad the solemnity of a chorale prelude and the second had a pastoral atmosphere. The last, in F major, was a very jolly fragment. Miss Kohler plays with a firm and clear tone, making the parts easy to follow. She opened the Brahms Variations in vigorous fashion with plenty of ring in the tone. There was a wide dynamic range in the playing. When necessary a boldly vigorous tone was called forth; mellow sound of clearly singing quality were heard in the more reflective sections of the work. At all levels Miss Kohler’s tqne has a clearly defined vitality and her phrasing is vividly alive and beautifully shaped with finely expressive . detail. The atmosphere of each variation was created instantaneously. whether a gay brilliance of mood prevailed or a langorous and romantic spirit was called for. The big playing was certainly in the grand manner, and the soft and sometimes fluttering sounds had a lyric charm. Over the reading of the whole work there was strong sense of design and all was held together with the strongest rhythmic ties. In spite of the prodigious technical difficulties Miss Kohler’s ease of manner at the instrument suggested that for her there were no problems at all. It was magnificent playing. At the end of the programme Miss Kohler played a Scherzino—an intriguing little work written for her by Arthur Benjamin.