PIANO AND ’CELLO

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 152, 21 March 1924, Page 8

PIANO AND ’CELLO

i « — RECITAL BY EDWIN AND CLAUDE TANNER. There is always pleasure in observing the development of musical talent, when it is well directed and earnestly applied. This at least can ba said cf Messrs. Edwin and Claude Tanner, the two Wellington musicians who gave their first and farewell recital licfore a*n audience which filled the Concert Chamber last evening. Not content with the crumbs of knowledge to lie gained here they are <qff te London to perfect their studies at the Royal Academy of Music, and they are well worth the experience about to be afforded them. That aas established beyond all question at last evening’s recital. Dlr. Edwin Tanner, the pianist, a pupil of Mr. Harold Whittle, set himself a formidable task in playing tlio “Moonlight Sonata!” of Beethoven, a bracket of five works by Chopin, and tho brilliant, not to say exhausting Concerto in D Minor of Rubinstein, which, with Mr Harold Whittle playing the orchestral occompaiiiinent at a second pianoforte, occupied thirty minutes in performance. Tn the- over-popular “Moonlight Sonata” Mr. Tanner played carefully, and with a. degree of repose surprising in one so inexperienced. He induced good tone, and feeling, and whilst his interpretation was traditional, he. was sure in tho effect ho wished to produce, and his accent was always correctly pointed. Mr. Tanner played in good heart, and with well-tutored idea, a Chopin bracket which includes tho Nocturne in F Sharp Mojar, and the Scherzo from ilie Sonata in B Flat Minor, the Berceuse in D Flat Major (played with nice restfulness), and “the brilliant ‘Ballade in G Minor. Uis real triumph, honever, came in the Rubinstein Concerto, a very showy, melodious, and difficult work, which has not been heard in Wellington for many years. This was a. test in sustained effort of tho young pianist’s technique, memory, and physique, and ho rose to the occasion in a. manner that augurs well for his future. With. Mr. Whittle as his able coadjutor. Mr. Tanner played with a eiisp buoyancy and ve-ve. which fully sustained the interest and gave his audience a very fine impression of a notable work. ,

Mr. Claude Tanner has set his ham] to the. ’cello ~nd gives promise of being a fine player. Ho, produces a big tone; indeed, one is inclined to the impression that he would do well to study more the quality of tone rather than' its size,- for no instrument is more dependent on •sympathy or soul than the ’cello. At times Mr. Tan. ner’s tone was slightly blatant, and the opportunities for effective modulation wore not always made the most of. With a. good bow arm. and promising digital dexterity, he made a good showing in Goltermann’s 1 Concerto in A minor, phying the cantilana movement very nicely. His en. core was the bizarre ; Orientale” of Cesar Cui. which begins and ends with a rhythmical prizacato and springing how monotone effect. He, was quite at his ease in the andante movement from Greig’s “Sonata” lOpns 36), and whilst be played the Popper “Tarantellc” at great speed, the definition might' have been clearer. He was at. his” best in the agitated “Scherzo” of Van Goens, and the soothing “Lullaby” of Cyril Scott, which was very charmingly played. Mr. Whittle was the accompanist. The Messrs. Tanner will leave for London by <ho Remuera to-morrow.