Michael Houstoun

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 8

Michael Houstoun

Michael Houstoun, pre- • seated by the Christchurch Festival at the James Hay Theatre, 1.10 pan. Reviewed by Philip Norman. For a working person, the lunch hour is a precious time. Recitals scheduled for the middle of the day should be held to a minimum length. To run past the hour is to invite restlessness, agitated clock-watching and eventual early departure by the audience. Although the throngs of concert-goers that choked

the stairways to the James. Hay Theatre yesterday were testimony to the popularity, of the distinguished New Zealand pianist, Michael Houstoun, they also signified a ddav. through an organisational hitch, in starting of the

This, coupled with an over-long programme of Beethoven’s ‘Pathetique Sonata” and Chopin’s “Four Ballades” led to an unsettled reception from the capacity crowd. Clearly, the delay had also taken its effect on Michael Houstoun, for his opening movement of the “Pathetique” began nervously, with tentative, harried phrases. As confidence returned, Michael Hous-

toun’s playing began to sparkle; after a lukewarm inner movement, the final movement bubbled at a pleasing pace, drawing the work to a satisfying dose. From a vantage point one row from the front - staring up the legs of the piano stool — it was difficult to gain any over-all perspective, of Michael Houstoun’s

performance. Nevertheless, it was impossible to remain unaffected by the extremes of emotion, from tender lyricism to passionate outpourings, generated in ‘Pour Ballades.”

From gentle, expressive beginnings, Michael Houstoun drew these dramatic pieces, each imbued with the spirit of Polish nationalism, to finely crafted climaxes of cascading figurations and impressivelyEred chords. The second de, with its simple, folk-like utterances, and the fourth Ballade, with its lilting waltz rhythms and floating melody, were especially memorable.

Two more recitals in this series by Michael Houstoun are scheduled — for tomorroj® and Friday at, hopefi*. 1.10 pan.