Concert Features Early Works

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 12

Concert Features Early Works

Early works by famous composers are to be featured by the Christchurch Civic Orchestra in its next subscription concert, on Saturday week.

Many people regard the early works of composers as of less worth than their works of later years.. But the Beethoven and Bizet pieces to be presented in this programme have a freshness and vitality not present in the mature works of these composers.

The Beethoven Concerto No. 1 in C Major is very Mozartian in style, but the solo parts are in Beethoven’s typical virtuoso style. The third movement breaks tradition with a rollocking theme, incessantly portrayed by the piano. The work is easy listening, but is demanding on the performer. Beethoven probably played this concerto himself in the first performance. "' ’

The soloist for the August 8 performance will be the visiting American pianist, Joseph Bloch, who has become well known both for his musicianship and for his enterprise in performing new piano music and rarely heard works. As well as being a distinguished concert pianist, he is a teacher at the Juilliard School of Music in New York. The other early work is the Symphony in C Major, by Bizet A fresh, Schubertian work, this symphony was composed by Bizet when he was only 17, but shows that even then the composer possessed the artistry which enabled him to write “Carmen.” The work remained unknown until it was discovered in 1933, and was first performed in 1935. The influence

of Gounod, one of the great nineteenth century melodists, is revealed in this symphony, written in 1855. Also in this work we can hear the bullfighting music of “Carmen,” Haydn’s Symphony No. 86 in D Major, one of the Paris Symphonies, will open the concert. This work shows Haydn progressing towards mature style. It contains some delightful melodies with . a fresh, witty presentation. The concert will be in the Civic Theatre, at 8 p.m., and will be conducted by Juan Matteucci.