A night with Gershwin

Press, 9 March 1987, Page 8

A night with Gershwin

“By George, it’s Gershwin.” The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra conducted by William Southgate, with Malcolm McNeill, Town Hall Auditorium, Saturday March 7 at 8 p.m. Reviewed by Roger Flury. The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra has cer.tainly struck gold with its latest venture. The Town Hall was packed to hear a programme of songs and concert-pieces from the pen of George Gershwin, one of the musical geniuses of this century. Ironically, none of the main works which Gershwin orchestrated were included in the concert, and the programme failed to identify any of the arrangers. Under the athletic baton of William Southgate, the orchestra struck reasonable form, but never sounded totally at ease with the idiom. Southgate entered into the spirit of the occasion, and graphically illustrated what he wanted from the orchestra, but it was not always forthcoming.

music demands disciplined playing, yet it must still sound spontaneous. The orchestra sounded a little self-conscious, but managed to convey its enjoyment of the music as the evening progressed. The “Suite From Porgy and Bess” gave the orchestra something substantial to play, and it seized the opportunity. Russell Bennet’s arrangement is little more than a medley of the best tunes from the opera, but what tunes they are! The pianist, lola Shelley, joined the orchestra as soloist in “Rhapsody in Blue.” This was a careful performance, with characteristic attention to detail. Her interpretation tilted in favour of the , sentimental and reflective approach, probably influenced by the version for large orchestra used on this occasion. The original scoring for piano and jazz band would have encouraged more sparkle in the playing and demonstrated more clearly the cross-over nature of the score. k Malcolm McNeill was

listed on the programme as guest artist, but it would be more accurate to describe him as the star of the evening. With his laid-back professionalism, silky voice and easy stage manner, he carried the concert on his shoulders. Gershwin was primarily a songwriter, and this aspect of his art rightly dominated the pogramme. McNeill offered more than a dozen well chosen songs, accompanied by the Dave Fraser Trio with Stu Buchanan. In some of the songs he was also backed by the orchestra. Thanks to the singer’s exemplary style and clear diction we were able to savour the enormous variety of Gershwin’s songwriting, as well as enjoy the often outrageous lyrics of his brother, Ira.

A similar concert is planned for July, featuring the music of Rodgers and Kammerstein. Judging from the response to the Gershwin evening, the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra looks set to strikei’gold once again.