LUNCH-TIME CONCERT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32251, 20 March 1970, Page 16

LUNCH-TIME CONCERT

Song Recital At University

The customary series of lunch-hour concerts at the University began yesterday when Mr Craig Pollock sang a recital of Russian songs to a fairly large audience. At these concerts in the University Hall there have been times when new talent has had a chance of being heard. So it was at this concert, for Mr Pollock, a young singer from Auckland, [showed promise well in advance of that heard for a long time by this reviewer. Mr Pollock has a bass-baritone [voice of power and telling qualities of tone, and shows heightened imagination and sensibility in his interpretations. In dramatic music he can create atmosphere by use of tonal colours and of expression, and it is clear that there are richer and more extensive ranges of colour waiting to be unfolded. He sang four “Songs and Dances of Death” by Moussorgsky, and brought out their macabre character convincingly, giving wide range of diversity but keeping unity in his readings of them all. They are interesting songs, and gave Mr Pollock the opportunity to create climaxes and to keep interest alive in their few moments of repose.

Gremin’s Aria ' from “Eugene Onegin” showed the darker tones of Mr Pollock’s voice to advantage, and in Aleoko’s Cavatina, by Rachmaninoff, he had opportunities to show his wide range of power and expression. His words were clear and he phrased with understanding and with interesting use of nuance.

: Mr Maurice Till accompanied with his unfailing artistry and exciting creation iof atmosphere.