CHAMBER MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 171, 16 April 1931, Page 5

CHAMBER MUSIC

■ An Exceptional Concert Wellington is fortunate in the possession of skilled exponents of all that is best in chamber music. They are able musicians’who are not only capable of playing the gems of the masters in this sjjiere of music, but find pleasure in working up to a very high standard indeed, bringing out with a discrimination altogether artistic those graces of beauty and refinement which so well repay search.The concert given at the Concert Chamber last evening was a rare treat, and it was pleasing to see how the large audience enjoyed it. Mendelssohn was represented by a string octet, probably heard in Wellington for the first time. This work simply teems with interest to the musician, as each of the eight performers has an individual and important part, and all concerned must' feel the spirit of the music with a common understanding. ' This they accomplished in a manner that charmed. ’The allegro moderate movement, which opens the octet, is one of marked vigor and decision, with fascinating interchanges, and an almost continuous interweaving of inner themes, played with a nicety of accent and delicacy of intonation delightful to hear. The inherent t beauty of the andante movement, which embraces some haunting cadences for the leading violin and 'cello, was immediately appreciated. For the scherzo Mendelssohn turns to music of elfin delicacy and rhythm for muted strings of a movement of ineffable charm. A robust stimulating presto, played with marked force and abandon, concluded the octet. The performers were Miss Ava Symons, Miss G. A’Court, Mrs. F. Meier, and Messrs. George Elwood, Eric Meier, W. McLean, F. Crowther, and R. Maunder. Brahm’s doubje concerto for violin and 'cello is a most interesting and musicianly work, readily appreciated by all who love I music for its own sake, and in the hands of Miss Ava Symons (violin) and Mr. George Ellwood (’cello), with Mr. Ernest Jenner at the pianoforte, it was an awakening performance. The three movements differ widely in character, each graphic, but the audience will remember the rolling melody of the slow movement best —one of the most engaging in the Me.ndelssohnian folio. Were it labelled a barcarolle, it would long ere this have become famous in song, but as a simple andante, it remains on the rather dusty shelves devoted to chamber music. The fiery vivace movement is great music, and the trio rose to every demand, and for I heir excellent playing were honoured with a double recall. Perhaps a little incomprehensible, as is most modern Russian music. Taneiew's trio created real interest. It is very live, importunate, and somewhat dramatic music, rushful, passionate, and fitful in its adherence to set themes, but there are also deep pools of shaded beauty, whieb nppear to have no ml relation to the rest. Still, it is an upstanding musicianly work, and was played by Miss Ava Symons. Mr. George Ellwood. and Mr. Gordon Short, with a verve and abandon which earned the gifted trio an ovation.