INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL

Evening Star, Issue 21641, 9 February 1934, Page 1

INSTRUMENTAL RECITAL

TWO ACCOMPLISHED ARTISTS OUTSTANDING ’CELLO PERFORMANCE Two young instrumentalists, from the north, Miss Elvira Wycherley and Miss Ormi Reid, opened the local musical season with an altogether charming recital in Beggs’ concert chamber last evening. These ladies, ’cellist and pianist respectively, were making their first bows to a Dunedin audience, and it was a pity that there were not more present to appreciate the distinctive artistic qualifications they undeniably possess. It is some compensation to learn, however, that Miss Wycherley intends to take up residence here, and musiclovers will doubtless be afforded ap opportunity of establishing the ..iostpleasurable of concert relations with ber. Miss Wycherley is an exceptional 'cellist and, from her performance last evening, will be a valuable acquisition to the musical circles of Dunedin. A clear-sighted musician, she has an admirable command of her instrument, and plays with unusual facility. Her tone from the lower strings was of ’ very rich quality, and her legato style especially pleasing. Miss Wycherley opened with a Carporale sonata, and of its four movements she made excellent studies, the adagio being the most arresting. • The sonata was played decisively, and with certainty. The Boellmann ‘Variations Symphoniques ’ were pleasantly defined in their varying moods, occasional roughness of time being rendered negligible by the power and structural solidity of the whole performance. The haunting melodies of Max Bruch’s ‘ Kol Nidrei ’ were sensitively expressed by Miss Wycherley’s deft fingering and bowing. This was a work that suited ber particular style splendidly. Her last group was composed of a Popper ■gavotte, Moskowski’s ‘ Guitarre,’ and Fanre’s ‘ Klegie ’ (beautifully played and the gem of the group). As an encore Miss Wycherley presented ‘ Le Cygne,’ by Saint-Snens. Miss Reid played the accompaniments for Miss Wycherley, and also contributed several solos. The first of these was one the exquisite Bach choral preludes, ‘ Jesn, Joy of Man’s Desiring ’ (arranged Myra Hess), and the performance revealed effectively its so satisfying beauties and charms. Bracketed with this was the lively gigue from the French Suite by Bach, a performance that nicely accentuated the technical accomplishments of the soloist. The Chopin ‘ Ballade in F Minor ’ followed, but this did not have the clarity of the Bach Miss Reid’s pedalling was not faultless here. A Debussy bracket did not possess the requisite delicacy, but it was nevertheless interesting in its treatment. Miss Reid has a bold and definite style, and infuses much power into her music. Her technique is finely developed.