‘Farewell’ recital given

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34132, 20 April 1976, Page 18

‘Farewell’ recital given

(By

JOHN McNEIL)

A show-business personality bowed off the Christchurch musical stage last night—well almost. Alfredo Campoli is a fine violinist — many critics will attest to that — but with the great flare he brings to the presentation of his art, he could, in a complimentary fashion, be described in those terms.

Like many .other great artists, the chance to hear a last concert is an event not to be missed. Farewell recitals have been the modus operandi of many a star — boosting business for years before eventual retirement. Last night in the James Hay Theatre with his pupils, Belinda Bunt, and the pianist, Maurice Till, Campoli gave his “farewell recital.” There he played works by Tartini, J. S. Bach, a Beet-

hoven sonata, and a number ,of encore pieces for which he has become internationally renowned. Slipped in between the sheets of the programme was an invitation to another concert at the same venue little more than a week hence. Here to escape the ravages of the northern winter on a hip joint that will receive surgical treatment s.oon after he returns to England in about two weeks, he faced instead the fickle New Zealand summer. There were compensations. The chances to tour the country, giving concerts in unlikely places to the delight of local citizens, the teaching of a pupil who he considers has great promise, and the opportunity to partner John Wignail, the captain of the New Zealand bridge team, in the game of which he is so passionately fond. He is full of praise for the development of music in

New Zealand, especially in the improvement of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, but has harsher

words for our teaching of younger musicians. The school system, which has been developed in Christchurch, was ideal for young players, but not suited to the development of pupils of promise. We must bring out good teachers from Europe, he said. Half time at a farewell recital was not a good time to seek out Mr Campoli, and the conversation was punctuated by instructions to Belinda — practising in the corridor before her performance — and the search for fruit juice after an exhausting first-half. Christchurch, however, must have proved kind to him in spite of the weather. If the surgery .on his hip was a success he might return, but it would not be next summer, he said.