Ten Performers Heard In Concerto Contest

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32166, 9 December 1969, Page 18

Ten Performers Heard In Concerto Contest

Preliminary hearing of contestants in the Concerto Competition organised by the Christchurch Civic Music Council was begun yesterday afternoon and evening in the University Hall. Ten performers were heard by the judge, Mr Alexander Kelly. Another nine will be heard at sessions this afternoon, beginning at 2.30 pjn. and this evening, beginning at 8 p.m. At the end of this evening’s performance Mr Kelly will announce his choice of candidates who will be the finalists in February, and also the name of the winner of the special prize, given, by the Union of Graduates in Music, for the best entrant under 18. The competition is open- to players of any instrument other than the piano and an interestingly varied group was heard at yesterday’s sessions. Jocelyn Staples played Mozart’s Flute Concerto Not 2, K. 314; Peter Daly played Mocart’s Violin Concerto No; G, K. 216; Deborah Rawson played the Mozart Clarinet Concerto K. 622; Ivan Andrews played Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D minor: Ingrid Cuiliford played a Flute Concertino by Chaminade; Michael Eden played Haydn’s Cello Concerto in C; Peter Wilton played the Gordon Jacob Oboe Concerto*, Juliana Radaich played the Bruch Violin Concerto in G minor, op. 26: Anthony Ferner played Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. L K 313; and Bon Caldwell played Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto.

It is for the judge to say how welt each contestant played, but it can be said that these young performers all showed dear evidence of hard work and musical understanding. They gave per-

fonnances which were a pleasure to hear and today’s sessions can be recommended to audiences as fresh and pleasurable entertainment. Mr Maurice TO! played the orchestral accompaniments for most of these concert!, and did so very beautifully. This was further evidence of the value to the city of Mr Till’s versatile and artistic abilities. >, C.F.B.