Orchestras And Choirs Of Teachers’ College

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29990, 27 November 1962, Page 15

Orchestras And Choirs Of Teachers’ College

The symphony orchestra of the Teachers' College instrumental training scheme and choirs from the college gave a concert to a large audience in the Civic Theatre last evening.

The programme began with the orchestra, conducted by Mr R. E. Perks, playing Mozart’s overture, “The Shepherd King,” with rich texture of tone, especially from the large body of strings which were led very efficiently by Robin Perks. A well-defined rhythm was maintained, and there was a satisfactory balance. The orchestra captured the atmosphere of Ronald Tremaine’s charming “Seascape.” The Spanish Dance by de Falla worked up to a bright climax but could have done with more sparkle on the way there.

Mr Perks then conducted a choir of students from the post-primary division of the college in six Jugoslav folk songs arranged by Matyas Seiber. These were attractive songs with colourful atmospheres. The choir sang them with very ’ satisfying balance, pleasing tonal qualities, and sensitive response in expression. Excellent vitality of rhythm, good intonation, and clarity of enunciation were highly commendable features of the performance. “Bless the Lord O My Soul" by Ippolitof-Ivanof was sung with sincerity and with delicacy of expression. Miss Lyn Tregurtha, a firstyear student, was the soloist with the orchestra in Liszt's Piano Concerto in E flat Mr Perks has given the members of the orchestra good training in this difficult work, and praise must be given for the valiant attempt made to perform it and for the many virtues shown. Miss Tregurtha played with freedom and with ringing tone. She has flexibility and a good tonal sense with the requisite ring to her tone for a performance of this work in the Civic Theatre. There is a fine-edged clarity to her playing. Quite a commendable degree of the spirit of the work came through in the performance, but it is to be hoped that this orchestra will not too often make the mistake of attempting works which will strain the technical and interpretative abilities just a bit too far. The college choir, conducted by Mr Keith Newsome and accompanied by Mias Maureen Gill, sang four choruses from Gluck’s "Iphi-

genia in Aulis.” The tone was bright, vital, and clear, and the works were interpreted stylishly. The last chorus in particular came off with merry eclat. Three negro spirituals were sung with excellently expressive response. Balance and rhythm were most praiseworthy, and the whole 'Work of this choir was most enjoyable. The senior orchestra joined the symphony orchestra for three movements of Grieg's “Sigurd Jorsalfar Suite” and for the Racozy March, and the very large number on the stage all playing so efficiently showed something (although, at that, only a small part) of the extent of the college instrumental training scheme. There was admirable precision and pleasing tone, although intonation was questionable occasionally. Arthur Benjamin’s “Jamaican Rhumba” was played by the symphony orchestra, but it was given a rather sticky performance. —C.F.B.