Alberni String Quartet Plays With Poise

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31652, 11 April 1968, Page 12

Alberni String Quartet Plays With Poise

The Alberni String Quartet of the University of Canterbury played Haydn’s String Quartet in D minor, Op. 51. based upon the “Seven Last Words from the Cross”. Although one of the worst storms in memory raged out side, quite a few people battled against its fury to be present at what proved to be a recital of heart-searching music played with poised un derstanding of style and meaning, and with immacu late technical finesse.

The work began with a slow introductory movement breathing a mood of idyllic calm.

The Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. M. L. Underhill) read the first passage front Scripture recording our Lord’s prayer for forgiveness for his executioners and then the music, designed as a medi tation on it, came with the atmosphere of tranquillity The next movement reflected on the promise of paradise to the penitent thief and gave a message of strong confi dence, associated with a lovely soaring melody, played against a background of pizzicato chords. The third movement with exquisite tenderness commended Our Lady to St John’s care.

The rage of the storm outside the Cathedral was unable to spoil the lovely sounds, made by the players with such balanced ensemble playing, and in its way seemed to offer its vicious comment as contrast to the serenity that was being ere ated so sincerely within the building. There followed the sombre movement depicting the darkness over the land at the sixth

hour and the worse darkness of spiritual separation. This was the most illustrative of the movements so far, and its themes strongly suggested a groping and an insecurity The “1 Thirst” movement began with pizzicato accompaniment that suggested a weak ening pulse. A lovely melody above it had the mood of resignation but fierce intensity of feeling was created twice by quicker and louder passages. Exhaustion was conveyed throughout the movement by use of repeated notes.

Very delicate traceries ol sound were heard in the movement which followed the reading which led to the words “It is finished." They developed into a stronger section full of the most beautifully mellow tones and to a passage that announced triumph. The final movement based on the reading of “Father Into Thy Hands I Commend My Spirit” had seraphic confidence and peace, and soft pizzicato chords gave a gentle dying sigh. A loud and intense section ended this work of deep and discerning spiritual perception. The members of the Alberni Quartet gave a seemingly flawless performance. —C. F. B.