LUNCH-TIME CONCERT

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30395, 20 March 1964, Page 12

LUNCH-TIME CONCERT

University Recital

The recital in the University of Canterbury hall yesterday afternoon began with Mr Donald Hopkins and Mr Maurice Till playing Handel’s Sonata in D major. Mr Hopkins played the violin with impeccable sense of style, pure • intonation, and shapely and ) direct phrasing. Rhythm at all , times had vitally forward i movement and there was ex- ■ emplary clarity of line. Mr I Till’s pianoforte playing gave ■ perfectly matching support in ■ every bar. It was, perhaps, a . pity that, when a harpsichord 1 was available, it was not used, i The first movement, an ■ adagio, had one of Handel’s ■ many friendly melodies which are so immaculately shaped that they seem to flow quite inevitably. Beautifully singing tone was heard from both instruments. The second movement, an allegro, came with plenty of rhythmic verve and clean figuration. At times it seemed that possibly more volume was being given than the music actually demanded. The larghetto was played with very appealing tonal quality of velvet smoothness. This music can be profoundly moving. The finale had strength, flexibility, splendid clarity and an infectious vivacity. Mr Winston Sharp, accompanied by Dr. Michael Toovey, sang the Beethoven Song Cycle, “To the Distant Beloved” and five excerpts from the “Magelone Lieder” by Brahms. Mr Sharp’s work is always marked by musicianly thought, feeling, and technical skill. His. timing and rhythm are exact and could well serve as models for many another singer. Clarity of enunciation and careful attention to a composer’s demands in expression are other solid and enduring virtues. His phrasing is shapely in its rhythmic flow and in rise and fall of nuance One could wish for a wider range of vocal timbres and more forward ring to the voice at times. Both of these romantic works were sung with ex- < cellent understanding of atmosphere and the interpretations were always sincere, < thoughtful, and convincing The staccato effect in No. 4 of i the Beethoven and the reflective and calm singing of the third song of the Brahms were particularly impressive. , Dr. Toovey was an excellent accompanist, giving life and : plenty of vigorous colour to t the music. —C.F.B 1 1