NEW CONCERTO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 5

NEW CONCERTO

Wellington Hears Initial Performance MR. ANDERSEN TYRER’S ACHIEVEMENT Outstanding among the items on the programme of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra’s concert at the Blown Hall last night was the initial performance of a lately-completed pianoforte concerto in E Hat, composed by the distinguished musician Mr. Andersen Tyrer, who is- at present in New Zealand examining for the Trinity College of Music. The composer played the solo part himself, Mr. Leon de Manny was the conductor and Miss Ava Symons the leader of the orchestra. It had been intended that the new work should receive its first performance In association with the British Broadcasting Corporation next February, and it was an honour to Wellington fully appreciated by the large audience present last night that it should instead have been presented here. Mr. Tyrer’s concerto is a full-blood-ed work, brilliantly effective in its orchestration, constructed with a scholarly sense of form, yet eschewing all trace of pedantry. In it there is a complete expression of a very dynamic personality, too complex to be fully appreciated at a first hearing. It is a work one would need to hear several times for a proper understanding. Its rhythmic effects and subtle contrapuntal devices flash by too quickly to be grasped securely, though the charm of its themes are at once apparent. No one could dream through a concerto like this. It shatters complacency and demands constantly the fullest possible attention from the listener. Indeed if one saddled it with a fault at once, it would be that it lacks repose. Even in the quieter passages Mr. Tyrer will not rest. No key can hold him long, and in consequence there is a feeling of tension throughout the whole concerto, intentionally and admirably contrived, but” nevertheless slightly exhausting, at least when experienced for the first time. The first movement opens with a splendid broad theme which contrasts excellently with the slight grace of the second subject. They are developed to some magnificent climaxes with a wealth of colourful treatment and dynamic changes. Poverty of invention is the last thing one could accuse Mr. Tyrer of. The solo instrument is treated throughout inure as an integral part of the orchestra thaji as a contrasting element, and freqently its sound is allowed to merge as an added colour in the full palette of the orchestration. . The slow movement is a delightful achievement, the charm of its principal melody delicately enhanced by the chromaticism of the harmony. But here again Mr. Tyrer breaks the atmosphere of tranquility with the whispering rush of the. briefest of scherzos which comes and goes like a whim lightly conceived and as lightly dismissed. In the last movement the utmost vigour of the concerto is attained. It is a brilliantly rhythmical affair which chases along to a terrific climax at’the close. Last night the orchestra caught .something of the vitality emanating from the pianist and combined with him to give a most exhilarating rendering of an exceptionally fine work, one which should remain long in the memories of those who heard its first performance. Mr. Tyrer collaborated also with the orchestra 'in the playing of Beethoven’s E flat concerto, the noble “Emperor, and made the performance notable by the wonderful artistry of his solo work. The delightful, grading of his tone and the masterly nature of his clear phrasing and ample technique were outstanding feature,?. The orchestra was by no means entirely comfortable in its part and experienced a few ragged moments. The other items on the programme were the "Egmont” overture by Beethoven, Mendelssohn’s exquisite “Midsummer Night’s Dream” overture, excellently played, and the tuneful Egyptian ballet music of Luigini. ‘ During "the interval, it was announced by Mr, D. A. Ewen, president of the orchestra, that Mr. Tyrer had graciously consented to give a .pianoforte recital on November 14, and to devote the proceeds to the orchestral funds.