BRITISH STRINGS MAGNIFICENT

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33665, 15 October 1974, Page 20

BRITISH STRINGS MAGNIFICENT

The magnificently ac-i complished string | orchestra, the Academy of St Martin in the 'Fields, played last evening in the Town Hall under the combined management of the Chamber Music Federation and the N.Z.B.C. Assistance in presenting the orchestra’s concert in New Zealand was given by the British i Council. The programme had a nice ‘balance of the familiar and the easily assimilated and interesting works, not new to repertoire but unusual in performance in Christchurch. Vivaldi’s Concerto Grosso in G minor, a piquant little Sinfonia for' Strings by Donizetti, and Greig’s Holberg Suite made up the first part of the concert. Two pieces, by

i Shostakovich,-and a Serenade [for Strings by Suk, a Czech I composer, were heard later. Together, they made an evening’s unalloyed enjoyment, and left a memory to be enjoyed in retrospect. There was nothing in such superbly polished playing that one could imagine being better done, and the disciplined response in all the minutia of expressive refinement of playing amazed and delighted at every moment. The playing revealed what an astonishingly wide variety of colour can be obtained from a string orchestra. There was a kaleidoscopic richness and profusion of tonal variety, and everything was matched to required style. ONE CONDUCTED WORK Only one work on the programme was conducted, and there was never a faltering in absolute precision or in rhythmic drive. There was always the exactness and the unanimity of spirit which is found in the work of the best

'string quartet players. Memories of the silken elegance of concerted work from just a few players, and the full and rounded tone of ithe full orchestra in strongly moulded and invigorating passages, which it would be a pity to pull to pieces and lay in the dissecting board, remain in full glow. ■lf this playing fell short of what . the players wanted, ;only they would know. The seemingly ecstatic reception given at the end of the programme showed how deep .'an impression had been made; ; on the audience, every mem-! fiber of which will have his ( particular treasures. 1 The only pity is that the ; Town Hall was not packed 1 for such a stimulating and > magnificent recital. —C.F.B.