C.S.O. at Town Hall

Press, 17 April 1980, Page 6

C.S.O. at Town Hall

'/•By

C. FOSTER BROWNE

X’The Christchurch Sym- « phony Orchestra, led by Pauline Smith and conducted by i guest conductor, John ttinson, a lecturer in the University department of extension studies, gave a con- .. .cert in the Town: Hall last 'tyening. . £.«Mr Pattinson made a strong -impression at his first concert as guest conductor for ./this year. He is a graduate of /Manchester University and is igrinusician notable fpr strong {grasp of detail in all he und- , 'frtakes and has a comprehengrasp of essentials in piaking music with an orj’S/isKestra. style in conducting —- ,' graceful, and clear in •'•'-presenting detail and in '//(■* bringing off resounding • Btyinds with full orchestral •j-’(Jtyle — was impressive to •.tlfe ear and pleasant to th® ‘ -'He brought Jortir-expres- ■ rive playing, Owlish in char-

acter and rewarding to the hearers.

It is to be hoped that those who heard this concert will all bring a friend to the next so that the orchestra, might have an audience it deserves. lola Shelley was the soliist in the Concerto No. 2 in G Minor by Saint Saens. She rgave: an exhilaratingly brilliant performance, rich in its tonal grandeur and enchanting in the poetic spirit which she revealed in it. There • was riot a dull moment ■< and with wide variety , in colours and in tonal strength, she made her playing exciting and fully in keeping with the various styles demanded. The orchestra, -fully aware of all that was needed, gave a rousing, artistically satisfying reading of-the work. s ; Haydn’s Symphony in E Flat- followed. It was not quite as convincing as the concerto, but its varying moods were expressed faithfully. It did not have the convincing • grip ■ by the

other. works on the programme.

Wagner’s “Siegfreid Idyll” was played with beautiful control of soft playing and was interpreted with telling flair for poetic appreciation. The interweaving of very soft, melodic strands showed lovely sense of atmosphere.

Mr Pattinson conducted it with sensitive care for atmosphere and for style in composition.- This was playing that. charmed immediately and added to the orchestra’s already fine reputation. . j

Mendelssohn’s imaginative and exciting Symphony. No. 4 in A was played with exciting finesse and brilliance. Each movement, was interpreted with care for over-all balance and its happy and adventurous jollity was fittingly brought to lively realisation.

The playing was clean and clearly outlined, leaving the audience pleased with all (the concert had