Cellist pleases

Press, 18 June 1980, Page 15

Cellist pleases

By

MARGARET BUCHANAN

Ross Pople (cello) and Bruce Greenfield (piano) presented an outstanding programme of music for the Christchurch chamber music subscription series in the James Hay Theatre on Saturday evening. Ross Pople is presently solo principal cellist with the 8.8. C. Symphony Orchestra, and it was his second major concert tour since leaving this country.

The audience was treated, to some magnificent, music from the cello repertoire, and Kodaly’lfeSonata for Solo Cello was-'Undoubtedly one of ■the; highlights of the evening! If ever a sonata explored the geographical extremes of the cello, then this work certainly did so. Ross Pople demonstrated his. professional skill and musicianship, especially in the; third movement, which evoked memories of “Dances of Galanta” by the same composer, with Giissandi, rhapsodic dance rhythms, and Hungarian folk-like melodies.

This certainly contrasted the Sonata for Cello. and Piano Op. 58 by Mendelssohn. which opened the programme. Here was a work of sublime beauty, with dignified noble melodies and rich sonorous accompaniments from the piano. Bruce Greenfield excelled as the sympa-

thetic and very fine accompanist with well chosen tempi, and a generally good balance, although when the cello played sustained notes on the “C” string, these tended to be “seen rather than heard.” Perhaps the dramatic highlight of the last movement of this work, was the sudden eclipse of the spotlight above the performers. A temporary floodlight on the side of the stage, enabled resumption of the finale, and it was in this light that the sonata by the American composer, Elliot Carter, written in 1946, was performed. . .’-C? .. ’

One wondered if the bizarre lighting suited this intricate and interesting composition, with-its contrapuntal juxtaposition of rhythms. This was a wellsynchronised performance of difficult and seldomheard music. It was to be admired, the way in which a marvellous atmosphere was created (after all the distractions of lights, and a maddening metallic beat from somewhere) when the very first mysterious notes on the cello were uttered. This was a good performance of one of the best loved of cello wbrks, and one, while not being note perfect, featured a beautiful cello tone. This provided a most satisfying climax to a very full and demanding programme.