Discipline And Style In Colleges’ Concert

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32068, 16 August 1969, Page 14

Discipline And Style In Colleges’ Concert

j A concert last night by St Margaret’s College and Christ's College showed the virtues of musical discipline .and stylistic surety. In a wide variety of singing and instrumental music the technical ’standard was generally high, but the most impressive items ’were those which went beyond technique and discipline and aimed at interpretation at the heart of the music. The most musically satisfying moment of the evening came towards the end with a Suite for violin, clarinet and piano by Milhaud, played by Larry Rueter, Richard Norman and Martin Lamb. This is an inventive piece, light and strong in character, and the trio played it confidently, with good cohesion and a most mature understanding of both the instruments and the piece. The St Margaret’s College Choir, directed by Mrs M. Allison, sang two groups of songs, both with good intonation and easy tone. A little more tonal and dynamic variation might have made these items more interesting. Martin Lamb, a pianist, by now well known to Christchurch audiences, played Liszt’s “Waldesrauschen,”

and “Dance of the Gnomes,” and a Chopin waltz. His technique kept the audience rapt, and he brought out the colours on which this type of i music depends so much. His was a most impressive performance.

Disciplined singing was heard from three Christ’s College vocal groups, directed by Mr E. R. Field-Dodgson. The chapel choir sang with precise attack, well-blended tone and attention to detail, and, more important, a sure sense of style. The chapel trebles sang with enthusiasm and infectious gaiety, especially in a setting of Shakespeare’s “It was a Lover and his Lass.”

The Glee Club sang a cycle of songs by Sir Stanley Stanford (another Stanford?) which was perhaps not worthy of their enthusiasm and careful attention. ,

An original and interesting sound was heard in Quanta's Allegro for Flutes, played by the St Margaret’s College Flute Trio (Felicity Bunt, Margaret Drake and Rebecca Steel). Their playing was lively, well tuned and most enjoyable. The Combined Colleges’ Orchestra played most impressively on three occasions. A Scherzo by Lltolff, with Martin Lamb as a capable piano soloist, opened the programme at a great pace. An enjoyable Kentish Suite by Clifford showed all sections of the orchestra to be capable of sensitive and colourful playing. The orchestra’s leader, Larry Rueter, played Mozart’s Violin Concerto No, 1 with the orchestra, charming the audience with a singing style, a relaxed stage manner, and his obvious enjoyment of the music. The orchestra’s work was restrained and sympathetic, showing good understanding of style. —S.R.A.T.