Better concert, but smaller audience

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33610, 12 August 1974, Page 14

Better concert, but smaller audience

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vanco Cavdarski and led by Louis Yffer. played a programme excellently suited to the needs of a Sunday afternoon audience to a distressingly small number of people in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon, and did so very well indeed.

On the previous Sunday the orchestra played rather dimly to a good audience. It would be pessimistic to say, “You cannot win,” but it is to be hoped that people in Christchurch will soon realise that the orchestra at its best is very worth while hearing, and it is a civic asset deserving of wide supP K The programme began with a perceptive and lyrical performance of Grieg’s "Peer Gynt Suite." Sounds of pastel colouring, delicately applied. gave promise of lovely things to come during the afternoon, and this promise was amply fulfilled, making the concert memorable and rewarding. Mr Anson Austin sang operatic arias in a highly attractive style, making much more than an ordinarily worth-while contribution to the afternoons enjoyment. His voice has immediately attractive timbre, and every moment of his singing shows new qualities to interest and to delight. In Mozart’s “O Loveliness Bevond Compare." his voice glowed with warm qualities smoothly produced and giving sunshine to the interpretation. and the same can be said for his singing of '“Speak for Me to My Lady.” In “All Hail Thou Dwell-

mg,” from “Faust,” he 'created the atmosphere of pure aspiration. The fact that Faust soon afterwards behaved like a young cad need not matter in a concert performance. “Your Tiny Hand is Frozen" was sung with thrilling vibrancy of voice and tenderness. PIANO CONCERTO Mozart’s Piano Concerto in A major. K. 488, was beautifully played by Martin Lamb and the orchestra. There was sensitive and fulfilling rapport between both forces. Both Mr Lamb and Mr Cavdarski showed sensitive and acute perception of design in the music, and gave high polish to every detail. Of Mr Lamb’s playing it must be said that there was lived beauty of singing tone in every note played. The whole performance was such that we would have no cause to be ashamed no matter who should hear it. The programme ended with a joyfully ringing rendering of Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Capriccio Espagnol.” The many changes of colour, wer_ all most efficiently and effectively produced, giving bright spirit and vigour to an exciting and rousing performance. —C.F. B. I