Satisfying recital

Press, 20 July 1977, Page 6

Satisfying recital

By C. FOSTER BROWNE Katherine Walshe and Mark Seeker played Handel’s Sonata No. 1 in A, and Brahms’s Sonata No. 1 in G, Op. 78, in the University School of Music yesterday. For Miss Walshe, this periformance was part of the ■ examination for he - Diploma I of Music. I This was one of the most satisfying performances from a student we have had for a long time. Miss .Walshe showed confident security in general control of the instrument, firm purpose in every sound, and artistry in expresrion and in shaping of phrases. Her tone is broad and firm, sympathetic: with the music in choice of 1 colour, and with out-going, warmth to her listeners. Her! intonation is good and her! control of the bow gives j definite feeling of authority.' Above all, there is know-| iedgeable appreciation of alii those aspects of playing and!

( of understanding which make up a sense of style. Her playing of the Handel ■sonata had appropriately beautiful clarity of line, and ■ elegant formation of phrasting. There was warmth of i feeling, clearly to be observed but kept within the i boundaries of authentic i style. The rhythm was of arI resting grip, showing vital flow. In the Brahms sonata there was poetic feeling, and | disciplined and convincing emotion. Her choice of colour was appropriate for every demand — nothing was withheld, nothing was wasted. Mark Seeker’s pianoforte 1 playing showed his technical and his artistic rapport with the music. He, too. gave convinced and convincing elegance of interpretation. The playing of both performers had complementary virtues, displayed in detail, and in broad appreciation of textures.