Goedde plays Bach

Press, 19 March 1984, Page 8

Goedde plays Bach

Walter Goedde playing the Bach suites for solo cello, presented by the Christchurch Festival at the State Trinity Centre, March 18, 11.30 a.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman.

With the conclusion of Walter Goedde’s three-part recital series presenting the six Bach suites for solo cello, the official programme of the Christchurch Festival drew to a stylish close on Sunday morning. Suite No. 3 in C major and Suite No. 6 in D major were the order of the day; both works were placed under intelligent consideration by this young and enviably skilled cellist. A high level and consist-

ency of craft characterised Walter Goedde’s performance of these demanding suites. His fingerwork was precise throughout, with rapid scalic runs, doublestopped and arpeggiated chords, and high-altitude thumb positionings all securely and cleanly pitched. Use of vibrato was tastefully discreet, and bowing was generally.tidy and well measured. To my taste, though, by electing to position his bow close to the fingerboard, Walter Goedde sacrificed fullness of tone in his quest for baroque colouring.

Especially satisfying were a soulful prelude and spark-

ling courante in Suite No. 3, and an elegant sarabande and fiery-rhythmed gavotte in Suite No. 6. The high degree of technical facility and concentration shown in Walter Goedde’s mastering of the intricate sixth suite were particularly remarkable.

Walter Goedde must be complimented on his initiative in preparing a reading of all six Bach cello suites. Scheduled at a peaceful Sunday morning time slot, and spanning three weekends, his recital series has provided weighty landmarks in, and an excellent sense of continuity for, the music programme of the Christchurch Festival.