Percussion at lunch

Press, 3 July 1985, Page 8

Percussion at lunch

“Out to Lunch” with the Canterbury Percussion Ensemble, directed by Tom Williams, at the Great Hall, Arts Centre, July 2, 1.10 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman. For once, traffic noise was scarcely a problem in a concert at the Great Hall. Aided by the reverberant acoustic (where every flam becomes a drag and every drag a four-stroke ruff), the Canterbury Percussion Ensemble produced sounds capable of capping even the most unruly of motorvehicle engines. Not that all of the ensemble’s music was delivered at peak volume; indeed, through the course of the 12-item programme, the entire dynamic spectrum was explored to pleas-

ing and varied effect. A primary aim of the group, formed last year under the musical direction of Tom Williams, is to demonstrate the wealth and diversity of sounds the percussion family is capable of. In this respect at least, the ensemble’s performance yesterday lunchtime was eminently successful. An amazing variety of timbres was elicited from an impressive array of wooden, membranous, and metallic instruments. Of perhaps the most interest was a collection of “West Indian Steel Drums,” constructed locally out of discarded oil tins. “Jamaican Farewell” and “Island in the Sun” regained their former glory played on JJhese intriguing instru-

ments. The fascinating variations of tonal colour achieved by the group, however, could not disguise the problems of rhythmic uncertainty and questionable pitching that dogged much of the performance. The group needs to concentrate now on tightening its rhythms and achieving a greater ensemble cohesion. Likewise, the group needs to diversify in the choice of material. With the notable exception of Kenneth Young’s “Percussion Piece ’75,” all of the pieces presented were either unimaginative percussion studies or dull arrangements of popular tunes. Today’s “Out to Lunch” concert features the Splits Dancers sjth Holly Cooper.

Miss Ann Baird and Mr Terry Mulrooney, both of Christchurch, who have been chosen to represent New Zealand at the International Youth Year promotion conference in Aichi, Japan, later this month. Miss Baird, aged 25, and Mr Mulrooney, aged 21, will be joined by six other young people from Australia, Malaysia, and Thailand when they arrive in Tokyo on July 16. Expenses for the trip for the Christchurch pair will be paid by the Aichi Prefectural Government, which is hosting the event in conjunction with the Aichi International Youth Year group. It is the first time