Composer To Man The Timpani

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30880, 13 October 1965, Page 12

Composer To Man The Timpani

A classical, a romantic and a contemporary work make up the programme to be given by the Christchurch Civic Orchestra conducted by Professor J. A. Ritchie next Monday evening in the Civic Theatre. The orchestra, which numbers 60 and includes the members of the Civic Chamber Orchestra and the John Ritchie String Orchestra and rehearsing intensely this week. Dvorak’s Symphony in G major, his eighth in order of composition but often called the fourth, is a warmly colourful and tuneful composition. In four movements it represents his essentially lyrical art even in the more vigorous outer movements, both of which frequently become passive and contemplative as the composer is loth to discard this fragment or

that. Scored boldly for full symphonic proportions the symphony has no scherzo. A waltz-like intermezzo takes its place. There are many evidences of Dvorak's ethnic background apart from this, particularly in the finale which makes use of the rhythm and fire of the Czech “furiant." A work new to Christchurch is Larry Pruden's “A BackCountry Overture." Pruden. a Wellingtonian, has scored much success with his “Harbour Nocturne" and “Dances from Brittany” for smaller orchestras. In this overture he evokes with skill and vigour the atmosphere of New Zealand's lonely but exciting areas away from the centres of population. The music calls for bold timpani playing and Mr Pruden has agreed to play the part on this occasion. Frank Gurr, principal clarinet in the N.Z.B.C. Symphony Orchestra, is to be the soloist in Mozart's famous concerto. Mr Gurr has played the work on several occasions in New Zealand but not in Christchurch. His performance is described as authoritative and his many Christchurch admirers are sure to be rewarded with an unusually stimulating realisation of Mozart’s beautiful music.