Chamber Music Concert

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32323, 15 June 1970, Page 12

Chamber Music Concert

; The second concert of the ' Christchurch Chamber Music Society was given in the Civic ’ 1 Theatre on Saturday evening 1 1 by the Amati Ensemble, a ’ group of 11 string players i 1 from Germany, all young men | whose playing was of an ex- i ' citingly high standard. ! They began with Mendels- i sohn’s Symphony for Strings I ’ in D major, No. 8, a youthful | [ but well-knit and tidy work i '■ It opened in a dark mood i with silken quality of play- ' Ing. There was plenty of dash : [ and smoothly polished play- : ! ing in the fast section that ! followed; first-class precision , ! marked this very fast playing, j , and the tone, though soft for ] the most part, had thrilling j vitality and perfect clarity. , : The slow movement for violas. , cellos, and double bass, had an !!autumnal bloom, and a charming melody. It was a short' but memorable movement. High spirits returned in the I effervescent playing of the , sherzo. Its trio had a will-o’-| . the-wisp character and the: . finale combined elegant grace i with light-hearted gaiety. This was followed by Johann Christian Bach’s Concerto for Viola and Strings in! |!C minor. It was lovely music,l i warm, suave, and gracious inc its movement, imparting a ['rich texture. The' second movement was sad and coni solatory in style with a sensi- i . tivity in its melody worthy I . of the great Bach himself.[ • The last movement had the.’ I gay abandon of a toccata. The!: whole work was played with I superb technique and artistry i Mozart’s Divertimento in D ’ major, K. 136 was. like the i Mendelssohn work, a teen-age H composition. It was played!* with beautiful sheen to the i tone and with grace of melodic line. I j The programme ended with,:

Dvorak’s Serenade for Strings in E minor. It was played with warmth of tone, and the tone was the only warm thing in the theatre. The first movement set a tranquil atmosphere, and the second suggested a country dance with swirling, stamping, and gaily coloured costumes. Jollification shone through the next portion and was followed by reflective sadness and resignation. Energy, drive, and very bright tone were outstanding aspects of the final section.

While there was no very great music on this programme, the concert will be remembered for the vivacity, precision, and charm of the playing.—C.F.B.