WOMEN PERFORMERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 117, 20 May 1941, Page 10

WOMEN PERFORMERS

BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY

Numbers in the programme for the third concert of the British Music Society,' given last evening at the James Smith rooms, were furnished entirely by women. The performers in instrumental trios were Misses Leela Bloy and Vivien Dixon (violins) and Therle Oswin (pianoforte), and the works they gave with neatness and precision were sonatas by Boccherini and Charles Avison (18th century English). Both works proved highly acceptable, not only for their excellent performance but for their essentially melodious qualities. Miss Dixon also played with marked ability three solos, "La Cappricciosa" (Ries), Slavonic Dance in E Minor (Dvorak),- and "La Vida Breve" (de Falla, arranged by Kreisler). Strength and clarity, with fine tone colour, and full volume in the bass, distinguished the playing of ■ Miss Jocelyn Walker in Chopin's Grand Polonaise, which was preceded by his lovely Andante Spianato. Subsequently Miss Walker played three short works, "Elf" (Schumann), "Tango" (Albeniz, arranged by Godowsky), and "The Little White Donkey" (Ibert). Miss Walker's contributions to the programme were received with enthusiasm and she repeated the "Elf" item in response to recalls. A group of five songs by Peter Warlock was sung by Mrs. Merle Gamble. Before she sang; Mr. Stanley Oliver, who played her accompaniments, helpfully explained the characteristics of Peter Warlock's work, and especially his songs, showing how they revealed a dual personality. Philip Haseltine and the name he wrote under —Peter Warlock. Mrs. Gamble sang with charm and a feeling for the import of the songs, their words and music, all in exquisite taste and with the clear enunciation and fine shades of expression, remarkable in her singing of the Warlock items. Miss Valeric Corliss, organiser of this successful series of intimate concerts, announced that the strings group of the society, formerly led by Dr. Keys, who was now too fully occupied to continue, would be led by Mr. H. H. Tombs, which she regarded as a happy event. Mr. W. M. Page announced that their Excellencies. Sir Cyril Newall and Lady Newall. had graciously consented to be patrons of the British Music Society.