Young performers’ concert

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32734, 11 October 1971, Page 12

Young performers’ concert

A concert, arranged by the Civic Music Council and designed to give young performers opportunity to play or sing before an audience, was given in the University Hall on Saturday evening. Belinda Bunt, with lola Shelly at the piano, played Bach’s Sonata No. 4 in C minor for Violin and Piano. Her understanding of the required style and her realisation of the atmosphere of the music demand high praise. She produced distinctive tone for the opening Siciliano and kept lively and disciplined rhythm in . the Allegro. Her tone was vibrant and of good singing quality in the Adagio, and she shaped the long phrases with musical awareness.

lola Shelly played with excellently flowing touch and always maintained a vital rhythm. She kept good balance and gave helpful support. Philip Driver gave an enjoyable and’ secure performance of Beethoven’s Sonata in A flat, Op. 110, for piano. In the first movement there was excellent singing tone and intelligent phrasing. The second movement had martial vigour and the third sang clearly and serenely. The fugal last movement was played vigorously but clearly, and with confident direction. This was an excellent performance which always held attention.

Schubert’s “Shepherd on the Rock” was performed by Judy Bellingham, soprano, Deborah Rawson, clarinettist, and Susan Glasgow, pianist. Miss Bellingham has a quality of singing admirably

suited to this- music and sang with convincing style and excellent tonal command. The performance had life and verve, and there was dramatic use of expression. Both Miss Rawson and Miss Glasgow played with vivacious feeling and with excellent technical and artistic control. A Divertimento for Three Clarinets and a Bass Clarinet by Alfred Uhl was played by Deborah Rawson, Judith Shillito, Christopher Walker, and with Keith Spragg playing the bass clarinet. The first movement was grand fun and was played with effervescent liveliness. The second movement was tenderly consoling and the last had quirky humour and some spicky sounds. This music was interesting and exciting all the way and was outstandingly well performed.

Five songs by Peter Warlock and John Ireland—a splendid group—were sung by Fern Scrivener accompanied by Susan Glasgow. They were very satisfyingly performed with well-judged colourings, nuances and tempi. Miss Scrivener sang with clear enunciation and well-prepared phrasing, and Miss Glasgow’s playing of the accompaniments- was a joy to hear. Helen Lawrence ended the programme with Dohnanyi’s Rhapsody in C for Piano and Liszt’s Concert Study in D flat, playing the first with sprightly brilliance, and the second with charmingly wrought singing tone and flexibility in light and shade. Miss Lawrence displayed impressive technique and did so with natural ease.—C.F.B.