Music at one

Press, 17 February 1978, Page 17

Music at one

: By C. FOSTER BROWNE I The Wednesday at One re-1 cital at the Arts Centre this week again attracted a capacity audience. The programme began with Bach’s Lute Suite in E minor, transcribed for the harp by Nancy Haber and played by her with consummate skill, charm, and grace. Under her technically secure control and immaculate sense of style the Prelude cast atmosphere of! peaceful rumination; the allemande had graceful flow; the courante tripped along with delighting little nuances; the sarabande, darkly coloured, was solemn and of set purpose: the bourree passed on its way with expansive smile; and the happy and carefree gigue sounded well contented with the pleasure it had so elegantly spread around. The first performance any- ) where of a violin and piano

sonata by Dorothy Buchanan was given by Ruth Pearl and Dobbs Franks.

It was played with a technical competence brooking no question; and left the! general impression of a com-j pact and honest composition, widely ranging in expressive meaning and search, awesome and introspective, serious and deeply moving for a while, and then very lively in strong and quirky fashion. The programme ended with John Snelgrove and Dobbs Franks playing the trumpet sonata which Hindemith wrote in 1939. Again impressive technical control was given by both artists. Some of it was perhaps a little heavy for a hot afternoon, but it was summoning music, strong and unyielding at times, yet imaginative and compassionate. The “trauermusik,” which ended the work. made, ! strongly moving appeal, conveying confidence of spirit.