CONCERT BY YOUNG PERFORMERS

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33446, 30 January 1974, Page 16

CONCERT BY YOUNG PERFORMERS

Yesterday, during the lunch hour, there was a concert in the James Hay Theatre given by local young performers. The standard reached reflected much credit on their diligence in preparation — and on the expert teaching given them. Rosemary O’Meeghan and Martin Lamb began the programme with Handel’s Sonata in B flat for oboe and piano. This delightful work was played with admirable steadiness and with excellent tone. The whimsical qualities of Seven Bagatelles for solo oboe, by Gordon Jacobs were skilfully brought out by the tonal qualities used and by juxtaposition of lyrical legato phrases and sprightly staccato passages all expertly and artistically played. “Hear Me Ye Winds and Waves,” by Handel, was sung with clarity, pleasing tone, and good style by Martin Thomas, bass, accompanied on the piano with clear touch and firm support by Michael Lawrence. “Droop Not Young Lover,” “Vouchsafe O Lord” from the Dettingen Te Deum, and “His Sceptre is the Rod of Righteousness” were stylishly performed and were a pleasure to hear. Roger Brown played solo cello works by Imogen Holst and Chloe Moon, showing excellent control of the instrument tonally and ex-

pressively. “The Fall of a Leaf” — three studies on a 16th century tune — contained some interesting pizzicato playing handled with agility and very good tonal quality. The Five Miniatures for solo cello, written last year by Chloe Moon, were excellent technical studies and had charming humour, delicacy and whimsy. Mr Brown makes his cello sing with vibrant liveliness.

Belinda Bunt played Handel’s Sonata No. 2 in G minor with the musicianiy ease and grace of a widely experienced professional artist. Every phrase was a joy to hear. An Appasionato by Sux was I tossed off with ease, and [three pieces by Dorothy Buchanan Scott were played sensitively with fine feeling for timbre and expression. Ten short piano pieces by David Farquhar were played by Terence Dennis with feelling for delicate sounds. Jenny Goldstein, Sally Langley, Vivienne Mountier, Judith Williams, and Gaye Hadcroft ended this rather (too long programme, playing | the first movement from I Schubert’s Quintet in C [major, Op. 163. There was 'much to commend in their careful tonal balance, phrasing, and precision, but the work needs more experience, i —C.F.B,