MADRIGAL SINGERS

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31658, 19 April 1968, Page 14

MADRIGAL SINGERS

University Concert The University Madrigal Singers, under the direction of their new conductor, Mr John Cousins, gave a concert in the University Hall yesterday afternoon. Mr Cousins conducted with sparce use of gesture but with enough to draw from his singers unanimous response in phrasing, expression, and the refinements of tonal balance. There were highly effective changes of tonal colouring suitable to the moods and atmospheres of each work, and these the singers captured and erated with confident technical security and with understanding. The singing was flexible in its rhythmic outline and precise in leads and endings, and there was good care taken to give proner accentuation to the words. The programme began with six Chansons by Hindemith—all writte- in interesting and astringent harmonic idiom giving strong and bright texture. Some were very short and seemed to stop before they had really begun to-go anywhere, like the old suburban trains, but even the shortest showed refinement of craftsmanship—and so did the performance. The other work was Bach’s Cantata, “Jesu, Joy and Treasure.” This was sung with stylish elegance and exemplary clarity. For the most part pitch was well maintained and the careful phrasing helped greatly in keeping the contrapuntal strands distinctive and clear. This was a very pleasant concert of high quality. —C. F. B.