PIANOFORTE EVENING

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 124, 21 November 1929, Page 15

PIANOFORTE EVENING

The present is the season for pupils' recitals, and another most enjoyable one was given in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall last' night. On this occasion it was the pupils of the pianoforte teacher, Mrs. Ethel Mackay. Two pupils of Miss "Violet Lamacroft, however, assisted with vocal-numbers. Parents and friends were present in full force, and were most'enthusiastic in their applause of the various performers. The length of the programme precluded encores, with one or two well-deserved exceptions. The standard of playing throughout was very high, and that of the tiniest tot to that of the more adult performers reflected tha greatest credit on the teacher concerned. Items ranged from classical to modern, one and all being interpreted with understanding, although naturally the calibre of the playing varied somewhat. It is safe to say, however, that many of the performers should make their mark in musical circles if they continue as they have begun. Two piano quartets figured on the programme. These were Tschaikowsky's "Polonaise" (Jean Rogers. Rita Hardie, Sara Pitkowsky, and Lydia Leek), Grieg's "Peer Gynt" (Joan Carrad, Jean Buckingham, Shirley Kidson, and Patricia Edwards), "Commedietta" by Gurlitt < (the Misses Dawn Bass, Marie Waters", Cassie Gann, and Dorothy Downing) and Wilhm's "Rustic Dance" (Shirley Cowley, Pat Cimino, Pansy Watt, and Betty Evans). Each of these was most intelligently played. Duets were numerous and included Kircher's "Waltz" (Misses Daphne Staff 'and Cynthia Burge), "Caballetta," by Wacks (Masters William Burge and George Scanbury), "Hunting Song" and "Waltz" by Gurlitt (Jocelyn Walker and Paul Magill), "Le Matin," by Chaminade (Misses Molly Francis and Nancy Aitken), "Tourbillon," by SaintSaens (Misses Netta Arthur and Winnie Cooley),: a "Waltz" by Arensky (Misses Jean Fuller and Joan Hands), and Moskowsky's "Italy" (Misses AVinnia Cooley and Margaret Drysdale). Pianoforte solos, all thoroughly enjoyed, were played by Miss Daphne Staff (Grieg's "Papillons"), Miss Gwen Taylor (Liszt's "Liebestraume"), Bruce Perry (Chopin's "Polonaise"), Ngaire Slack ("The Wild Rose," by Lenecke), Brian Scoullar, Miss Mavis Crawford (Mendelssohn's "Rondo Capriccioso"), Jean Mackay (Schubert's "Impromptu"), Miss Hilda Gorrie ("Waltz" by Rees-Newland), Miss Marie Davison (Scarlatti's "Cap'ricci"), Miss Joyce Banks ("Paradise Bird," "Chinese City," and "Musical Box") Miss Nettie Whyte'("Consolation," by Liszt, and "She Smiles," by Poldini), Miss Betty Mackenzie (a Chopin waltz), Miss Elsie Philippu (Palmgren's "The Sea" and a Chopin "Waltz"), Miss Irma Burge (Levitsky's "Waltz"), Kathleen Todd ("Papillons," by Olsen), and Miss Rona Field ("Naiads." by Farjeon). Tho two vocalists were Miss Edna Sneddon ("April Is a Lady," and an encore), and Miss Alma Clegg ("Song of* the Open," and "If No One Ever Marries Me"). ' ■