Demanding Programme

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32233, 27 February 1970, Page 14

Demanding Programme

The secoi

idary division of

Il <s— Christchurch Teachers’ s I College presented the first of I a series of concerts by its ; graduate students in music 1 at lunch-time yesterday. Soloists and the student choir performed an interesting and demanding pro- > gramme with confidence and slit is hoped that facilities at : Ham will allow college authori I ties to open future concerts in ■ this series to the public. The programme began and i ended with piano solos. David I [Crooks displayed good con- - trol of his reliable technique ;lin Debussy’s “Jardins sous la ;ipluce,” while Elaine Johnson showed a sensitive appre--I‘ciation of Schoenberg’s r idiom in her careful inter-

pretation of “Drei Kiavierstucke," Op. 11. David Crooks joined Elaine Johnson for Paulenc's Piano Sonata for four hands in a performance which emphasised the composer's direct and unaffected expression. The newly-formed choir, directed by Guy Jansen, sang two small works by Hindemith and Lassus with impressive clarity and precision. Denis Vaughan completed! the programme with a satisfying performance of the first movement from Brahm’s Sonata in E minor for ’cello and piano. He maintained a| firm tone throughout the piece and worked in well with his accompanist, Elaine Johnson.