Proms concerts begin

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32522, 4 February 1971, Page 12

Proms concerts begin

The N.Z.B.C. Symphony Orchestra, led by Alex Lindsay and directed by Christopher Seaman as guest conductor, played Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 in G; Mozart’s Piano Concerto in G, with Andre Tchaikovsky as soloist; the second set of Malcolm Arnold’s English Dances; George Butterworth’s Shropshire Lad Rhapsody; and Elgar’s Wand of Youth Suite as the first programme of this year’s Proms concerts. There will be another concert this evening in the Civic Theatre.

The Schubert symphony made a delightful beginning to this season’s music, and Mr Seaman and the orchestra gave a clearly moulded rendering bringing out its happy and lyrical gaiety of spirit. The playing had enlivened tone and rhythm, and a heightened awareness of all lexpressive possibilities. These

came to life with refreshing grace and vitality. Mr Seaman’s direction was clear and direct in its intention, and everything was achieved without any distracting flamboyance. There was discipline in every gesture. Andre Tchaikovsky and the orchestra received a deserved ovation for a stylish and polished interpretation of the Mozart piano concerto. Mr Tchaikovsky brings forth tone which sparkles; his phrasing was a model of classic shapeliness; and his playing, and that of the orchestra, produced exciting fervency. It was a memorable and rewarding performance. The second half of the concert was also full of attractive melodies played sensitively and with balance and colourful timbres. Malcolm Arnold’s English Dances began with ebullience.

The second had a jaunty and fetching nautical flavour; the third had a charmingly eventide and lyrical atmosphere; the next ended the work with grand bravura. George Butterworth’s “Shropshire Lad” Rhapsody began with delicate playing creating a pastoral atmosphere. Tensions forced the music up to a stirring climax, but they were calmly appeased and the work ended gently. There was lovely harmony and the playing had sensitive finesse. The programme could have ended effectively with the Butterworth work. Elgar’s Wand of Youth Suite did not come tensely alive until its last movement. Mr Seaman added the Hungarian March by Berlioz to bring everything to an exciting and sonorous ending.— C.F.B.