SONATA RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 159, 31 March 1922, Page 7

SONATA RECITAL

BY MISS AVA SYMONS AND MR. BERNARD PAGE

There are still brave hearts in music in Wellington. Two of them, at least, are Miss Ava Symons and Mr. Bernard' F. Page, who o-ave a violin and pianoforte sonata recital in the Concert Chamber, an undertaking which has not been attempted in Wellington for many years. The recital was an unqualified success from first to last, and ended in -the intrepid pair receivnig quite an ovation. The programme consisted of three sonatas, Handel’s in D major, Beethoven’s in F major, and a remarkable one by the late lamented Belgian, Lakeu, in G major. Miss Symons has long been regarded as a rifted and painstaking violiniste, who persists in improving as time goes on. Her visit to the Old Country two years ago was the means of adding polish to her many attributes, and her constant devotion to music, which matter was made manifest by the manner in which she played last evening. Wellington has known Mr. Page as city organist only for some years. Many were,, therefore, surprised to find in him last evening a pianist of certain brilliance. He has marked facility, a crisp, sure touch, undoubted feeling, and his authoritative style and, at times, dynamic force, together with his personal magnetism, convinced all present of his mastership over the instrument. Miss Symons and. Mr. Page played each movement with a commendable temperamental unity that added much to the interpretative charm of the works played. The simple old world grace of tho Handel donate was admirably played. The quiet, melodious march of the adagio movement gave the keynote to the composition, whilst the dainty elan of the allegro was instinct with delicate refinement and carefullymeasured melody. There was matter more impressive, passionate, and ennobling in the Beethoven numbers, which conclude with a . wonderful scherzo and rondo, most vitally played. The surprise of the evening was the Lekeu sonata. It is doubtful whether there are very many people in New Zealand who have ever heard of this Belgian composer, who died in 1894, when- only twenty-four years of age. He was a pupil of Cesar Franck’s, & composer whose genius is only how being recognised. This young man —Lekeu —must h'ave draiwi inspiration from his master, for his sonata is most assuredly the product of one of the elect. It is in three movements, each distinct, individual, and modern in character —“Tres Mod-ere-vif et Passionne,” “Tres Lent,” and “Tres Aninic.”' The first movement displays with considerable passion, force, and resource tho composer’s own peculiarly beautiful and arresting harmonic code—one on which moderns • such as Elgar, Debussy, and Rauel have founded their claim, to immortality—and an invention in construction that commands the attention and spurs the imagination. The Lenten movement, in which the violin is played sordino, is cool, restful, and sweetly devotional, concluding serenly with a passage that falls on the ear like a benediction ; whilst the 1 ‘‘Tres Anime” is vital and impetuous in its sweeping beauty. This sonata should be included in the next recital Miss Symons and Mr. Page are to give on May 10, for it is music fit to rank with the very best.

The W.C.T.U. Convention at Hamilton resolved as follows: —“That this convention declares its firm and unalterable conviction ( that some better method should be found' for settling international disputes, one more in keeping with the principles of Christianity. It is with deep gratitude wo note that by the calling of . the Conference at Washington, leading statesmen of grdht nations have declared their belief in world disarmament as within the region of practical politics, and by- pledging themselves to tho reduction of armaments, leading nations have taken tho first step in that direction. We, as members of the convention, pledge ourselves to strive unceasingly for the removal of all cause of war, and to work for the establishment of. a new social order for common good, and urge members to help create such public c pinion as will lead to tfie setting up of international courts of arbitration.”—Press •^ ssn ' „ . John Collis, of Kairanga, has achieved a remarkable record fry fat lambs off tbo grass, which would take a lot of beating anywhere in the Dominion (states the Pahiatua “Herald”). On Wednesday he killed five sovenmonths lambs,' the dressed weights of which were as follow:—85, 80, 86. 87 ana 95 lb. Tins works out- at an average weight of 87 3-51 b. The point about this record is that the lambs, which took prizes at the Palmerston North aiid Feilding Shows, were pasture lambs having never been off the grass. A photograph of the animals is being forwarded to the “Pastoralists’ Review” (Australia) in order to demonstrate to the Commonwealth what can be done in New Zealand in fattening off the grass.