BRAHMS CENTENARY

Evening Post, Volume CCX, Issue 145, 22 June 1933, Page 9

BRAHMS CENTENARY

THIRD DELIGHTFUL CONCERT

Anpther nightOf music was presented by , the Brahms Centenary Festival Association in the Bristol Salon last evening.l The programme included lieder sung by Mrs. Wilfred Andrews, the quartet in A for piano and strings (op. 26), and the Rhapsodic, in E Flat (op. 119), played by Mr. Taul Vinogra.doff. It was fitting homage to the memory, of the composer, and left the audience richer for the experience._ Mrs. Andrews's songs covered a wide span 'of the composer's activities, and one had ample opportunity of comparing the freshness of Brahms the young man with the maturity which comes from the experience of yeai's. Unlike Schubert, Brahms seldom chose dramatic narrative for his songs, but sought inspiration in the beauties' of Nature and her creations. These he frequently interpreted with the ecstasy of a great lover of the world outdoors. In common with the other composers .of the lieder school, love was also a favourite theme of hid, and he dwelt on the'itriumphant side of romance rather than the tragic* This attitude towards Kong-writing seems to have been his attitude' towardß life itself. Brahms was an intellectual with a philosophy of idealism and riot realism. Mrs. Andrews gang as one ■who taies her art seriously. From her fine contralto voice she obtained convincing expression. There was always an admirable sensitivity towards the mood of the songs, and the notes flowed smoothly to thY appointed end. There was joyous utterance in "The Huntsman," "The Blacksmith," "and "Spring," and beautiful soft tones; were revealed in "Moonlight" and "Lullaby.' 4 The famous "Sapphic Ode" was sung with warmth of feeling, and there was a joyous ring in the climactic passages of "Love Eternal." Other songs which were distinctively interpreted were "Gracious and Kind Art Thou, My Queen," "The Swallows Flying West," "Song," "In Summer Fields," "Sunday," "To-a Violet," and "Oh, Forest Cool." The' Quartet in A for piano "and strings was notable for the crowning beauty, of the second movement, which possesses a wealth of varied colour quite remarkable in chamber music. The performers were Miss Ava Sj'mons (violin), Mrs. Frieda Meier (violin), Mr. George Ellwood ('cello'), and Mr. John Bishop (piano). The first movement, allegro non troppo, is one of statuesque loveliness, and the pocco adagio, is a tender.relaxation. . Sweetness gives'way to strength, tint never is there a loss of rhythmical vitality. The scherzo and trio are a pair of binary movements developed beyond the limits of mere melodic form, and the finale is full of Brahma's spirits without being boisterous. The performers never stood between the audience and the music, and their playing was an accomplished piece of artistic endeavour. In the Rhapsodic Mr. Vihogradoff achieved splendid grandeur of : harmony. This .was the last work Brahms wrote for piano alone, and its wonderfully elaborate thematic development makes it a momi-. mental work. It opens with a march-like rhythm, which is not impeded by the introduction of a delicate triplet figure and a charming melody, and the march reaches a noble climax in a great burst of vigour. It was a significant performance.