Viola recital

Press, 18 July 1979, Page 6

Viola recital

By

C. FOSTER BROWNE

A recital on the viola by Mark Childs, accompanied by John Luxton, was given yesterday in the Christchurch School of Music. Hindemith’s “Trauermusik,” a sympathetically lovely work, began with the piano gently unfolding ideas, followed closely by the viola in vibrant and golden tones, rich in nuance. The work consists of four short sections, each one gradually adding to the sympathetic message of consolation. The pace quickened and this enlivening was followed by music of peaceful flow. Mr Childs has control of a wide variety of gently sympathetic tones which flow from his viola with graceful ease. Mr Luxton kept excellent

balance and lively and interesting tone throughout the work. The Sonata in F minor by Brahms was next, opening darkly. Mr Childs has a particularly lovely instrument which sang its way, in predominantly dark colours, through this noble work. The sonata developed with dignity and with unforced statements, each of which had a warming glow. It is not an angry work, and made its points without any shattering rhetoric. The music came flowing from the viola and a lovely stream of sound, unbustled, and generous. Mr Childs’s intonation is true and his phrasings shaped in accordance with the architectural grandeur of the work. This was playing to be remembered.