James and Schrade

Press, 26 June 1987, Page 6

James and Schrade

David James and Robelyn Schrade, pianists, presented by the Arts Centre of Christchurch, at the Great Hall, June 25, 8 p.m. Reviewed by Philip Norman. A pleasing number of concertgoers braved the rain last evening to attend what proved to be a splendid display of musicianship at the Great Hall. A score of fingers and thumbs made light work of a demanding programme of music for two pianists. The performers were the New York-based husband and wife team of David James and Robelyn Schrade, both accomplished concert soloists in their own right. What impressed from the outset of the concert was the marvellous rapfbrt between the two musicians. The phrasings and sprightly rhythms of Milhaud’s “Scaramouche Suite” for two pianos were articulated with flawless cohesion. The performers matched each otffer in spirit, working ill

accord throughout the three lightly toned movements. This same cohesion was evident in all the twopiano works offered. Ravel’s “La Valse” tone poem was given an especially powerful ’ performance, driven by a sharply pointed interpretation of the underlying waltz rhythm. Rachmaninov’s “Fantasy” (Suite No. 1 op. 5) provided a riveting finale to the concert. Rippling sheets of sound were coaxed from the instruments in what was a controlled yet highly coloured rendition of this emotionally intense work. From “Barcarolle" to “Russian Easter,” each piece of this four-move-ment suite was shaped with unfailing direction. The climaxes were explosive, not for their dynamic magnitude but for their depth of expression and accuracy of attack. ? Interspersed with these two-piano works were a selection of four-hand

duets. In the main, these were less successful, marred by lapses in rhythmic co-ordination and occasional pedalling errors.

Nevertheless, the performances easily sustained attention, with the delivery of Debussy’s “Petite Suite” taking line honours for its relaxed charm.

Barber’s “Pas De Deux” was perhaps the least satisfying item on the programme. The delicate lines of this introspective work were rather too broadly rendered. This composition was paired in performance with a workmanlike rendition of Dvorak’s Slavic Dance No. 2. David James and Robelyn Schrade will repeat part of last evening’s programme in a lunchtime concert today at the Great Hall. The opportunity to hear this talented duo executing the Debussy, the Rachmaninov and the Ravel duets should be seized by all interested in quality keyboAl performance.