Student music charms the ear

Press, 22 June 1978, Page 16

Student music charms the ear

By

C. Foster Browne

A musically convincing recital, which gave great pleasure to its hearers, was presented by students of the Universitv School of Music on Tuesday. It was one of the most enjoyable recitals of its type for a long time. Telemann’s Trio Sonata in C for recorder, violin, and continue was played by Ben Ayre, and Margaret Baker, with Katherine Staniforth and John Jennings playing the continue part on cello and harpsichord. The work had a gracious and gentle charm, and the players showed accord in phrasing and general musical design. Ben Ayre and Margaret Baker had an excellent tone and supple flexibility, and Katherin Staniforth has a beautifully toned cello. She and John Jennings, who can coax expressive tone from a harpsichord, gave a satisfyingly complementary accompaniment. The whole work came as a friendly and animated conversation among friends. Nicholas Frost

played the largo from Beethoven's Sonata in D, Op. 10 No. 3. This is one of Beethoven’s most moving slow movements for piano. Some serenity was lost through exaggeration of exi pression marks, resulting tn rather over-heavy playing for the small hall, and three was blurring at times from [the sustaining pedal. Guy de Lacy and John I Williams gave a stylish performance of the allegro ap- ■ passionato movement from I the Sonata in F minor by I Brahms. Guy de Lacy gets a j smooth tone and arresting)}* i charming timbre from his and John Williams’ piano had the breadth and nobility of tone required for this exacting work. Together they gave a unified performance. arrestingly convincing and persuasive. Martin Thomas. excellently accompanied by Michael Lawrence, sang five songs by Rachmaninoff. In power and in tone he conveyed the full spirit of each of these varied and dramatic songs in admirable interpretations.