Magnificent Recital By Tibor Varga

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30177, 8 July 1963, Page 13

Magnificent Recital By Tibor Varga

Mr Tibor Varga, the eminent Hungarian violinist, gave a magnificent recital in the Civic Theatre on Saturday evening. Mr Maurice Till was at the piano, and again showed his sterling worth as an associate artist, responding with acute sensitivity to all the delicate expression and subtle shaping of phrasing in Mr Varga’s interpretations.

The programme began with Mozart's Sonata in B flat. K 454. The introduction opened sombrely with strong chords followed by wisps of melody. Vigorous tone followed in the flashing allegro and it was a very happy

movement played with linear clarity and strong phrasing. The soaring melody of the second movement was played with a warm vibrancy and expressive tenderness Mr Varga made his violin sing forth with wondrous life and character. The last movement had powerful rhythmic drive and darted away with exciting ebullience of spirit, invested with verve and grace by both players.

The Bach sonatas for solo violin are severe tests for a player both technically and

in interpretation and style. Mr Varga played the first, in G minor, possibly the loveliest of them. For him the formidable difficulties seem not to exist, and he played the first movement as a heart-lifting challenge. He played the great fugue with dramatic declamation which produced most powerful effect. It is not the only way of regarding it. Szigeti used to play it with an overall serenity, but both views ere possible, and thus was an electrifying performance Mr Varga's intonation in chord playing seems to be perfect. His tone in the beautiful Siciliano was more gentle, but he made this movement also into a sarong affirmation of faith in a quite unforgettable way. The last

movement was a presto of glittering brilliance with all the whirling excitement of a Catherine wheel. In the Debussy Sonata in G minor, both Mr Varga and Mr Till gave us a completely satisfying performance with finely-poised tonal values and. immaculate phrasing. Mr Varga seems to have an unending and staggering command of nuances, all applied with such skill and insight in the quickly changing moods of the first movement. The second movement was enchanting with its darting humour, its shimmering mirages, and percussive surprises. The last movement alternated between reflective little snatches of song and dazzling brilliance. Technically alone this performance was a tremendous feat, but the playing • took technique for granted and the result was highly polished and completely faithful musicianship. An Intermezzo by Schumann, and a Scherzo by Brahms from the jointly written Sonata followed. The Schumann was playing with entrancing cantabile tone, rich and mellow, and perfectly phrased. The Brahms made robust demands on both players which were met with elan and stirring vitality. The programme ended with a scintillating performance of Paganini's "La Campanella.” It is hard to know whether the sheer beauty of Mr Vargas tone in a sweeping melody or his fantastically brilliant dynamic playing attracts the most. But whatever the music required he was always complete master of the situation. There was a furore of applause at the end of the recital, and there could be little doubt that we had been listening to one of the very greatest violinists of this generation. —C.F.B.