Young guitarist shows promise

Press, 6 December 1979, Page 6

Young guitarist shows promise

! By C. FOSTER BROWNE | Philip Hii, a young Malaysian, gave a classical guitai recital in the Centre Gallery of the Arts Centre last evening. He is a player of undoubted promise of whom much may one day be heard, 'or his technical powers, at test, are impressive and he has pleasing and capable artistry.

Mr Hii’s playing has supple rhythmical flow, and his phrasing is clear and musicianly, with delicately expressive nuances. At present there are some harsh sounds tonally which militate against complete enjoyment. He needs guidance in stage presentation and in choosing works for a programme. Mr Hii began with transcriptions of eighteenthcentury music, staple fare for

guitar players, but much was dull and it certainly need not be. In the second part of the programme a Waltz and Mazurka by Tarrega and a Prelude, Air, and Plainte by Martin, an accomplished Swiss composer, had much to attract and were interestingly played. The climax of the programme, which showed Mr Hii’s possibilities in bright light, came with Five Studies, by Villa-Lobos. These were interesting as music and posed formidable technical difficulties. Mr Hii overcame these in impressive style. The last one had the fire and whirlwind movement of a powerful toccata. There was wide variety of tonal colours, arresting rhythms, and arresting tonal shadings, required and given with conviction.