The Camerata quartet

Press, 7 March 1978, Page 7

The Camerata quartet

By

C. FOSTER BROWNE

Misic for the Arts Festival yesterday took on a new riimaision when the Cameras String Quartet, Paulene Smith and Kathryn Wilkinson. violins, Elizabeth Roi-rs. viola, and Frances De Goldi, cello, gave a recital in the James Hay Theatre in the lunch hour. More chamber music of this stature would indeed grace the programmes for the present festival. It is with great pleasure that we were able to greet Katin n Wilkinson who recently joined the other pla' ers when Chloe Moon vent abroad for further studv. She showed splendid standard of playing, and in tore, intonation, and in poised interpretation gave a polished and secure contribution to the ensemble The programme began with a String Trio by Douglas Lilburn, which he n-ote in 1945. This beautiful and moving composition was plated with rarefied colouring- and with the expression winch it demands and so richlv deserves The phras i-g and the balance of the three instrumentalists, together with distinction of ~ ~.Kfio variations m

’nuances, were all at the i composer's service and set: J the atmosphere expected and! received from these musi-; ' cians. To an even greater extent; . the playing of the Shosta-! kovich Quartet No. 2 made deep and appreciative im-! pression. Wide range of; emotions and details of ex- • pression and of rhythmic finesse were of a standard recognised as belonging to; good groups from overseas 1 j countries. This we can reioice to find here, and know) • the meticulous and hard! /work required to gain it. ; The players, serving the I . niceties of performance re- ’ quired by the music began expansively and with confident approach. Serenity of; spirit was maintained. Wild and hard-hitting | . emotional stress in the third | ; movement tightened up the ; heart strings, and disciplined feelings which fulfilled but ; did not inhibit strong emotional stresses and searchings brought the work to satisfying and fully appreciated ending. The Camerata Quartet can justifiably take pride in this ; short recital Miss Wilkinson; sounded as though she had! played with the others for] ■years.