CHAMBER MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 25471, 30 April 1945, Page 6

CHAMBER MUSIC

UNIVERSITY SERIES BEGUN A series of chamber music concerts arranged by the Music Department of the University of Otago was begun on Saturday night in the Allen Hall, and the programme, augured well for the success of the enterprise. A similar series of concerts was held last year, and a high standard was reached. This year a more ambitious programme was arranged, and it was decided to admit the public—a decision which is deserving the utmost support, because opportunities to hear chamber music performed are otherwise almost nonexistent. An audience of good size attended on Saturday evening, and enjoyed a programme of delightful music well performed; To some enthusiasts chamber music is the cream of the art. Saturday's audience did not find it difficult to approach, and their musical knowledge will no doubt advance considerably as a result of the series of concerts.

The programme opened with Beethoven's Piano Trio in C Minor, an early work imbued with much of the grace and refinement of his predecessors. The players (Miss Ethel Wallace, violin, Miss Noel Cape-William-son, 'cello, and Professor V. E. Galway, piano) combined excellently, and set a standard which was maintained throughout the recital. The sprightly String Quartet in B Flat Major of Mozart was played hy Miss Wallace, Miss Thelma Lupp (violin), Miss Ngaio Garland (viola), and Miss Cape-Wil-liamson. A charming work usually known as the ' Hunting ' Quartet, it is pleasantly tuneful. The programme ended with Schumann's Piano Quartet in E Flat Major, written during a

period of the composer's most notable output. Abounding in bright and graceful tunes this work was a fittine conclusion to the recital. As interludes Miss Honor McKellar sang groups of songs by Schubert and Brahms, her interpretations and vocal capacity being notably fine.