Artistic Vocal Recital by Miss Isabelle Graham

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 175, 27 July 1939, Page 11

Artistic Vocal Recital by Miss Isabelle Graham

ASSISTING YOUNG VIOLINIST IMPRESSES Those who braved one of the coldest nights of . the winter season for the vocal recital given by Miss Isabelle Graham, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Graham, of Woodville, at the Rosco rooms on Tuesday evening were rewarded with a rare musical treat in a programme of outstanding merit. Miss Margaret Sicely, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. B. Sicely, of Marton, a young violinist of great talent, was the assisting artist. Miss Graham has a pure coloratura soprano voice of lovely quality and flexibility combined with deep musical appreciation, and in a most ambitious programme of unusual numbers proved herself equal to every demand. In addition, this young performer has a charming stage presence and nice diction so that sho is well equipped to please. Miss Graham opened the programme with tho moving aria, “O Had I Jubal’s Lyre,” from Handel’s “Joshua,” sung with rare feeling, which put the audience in receptive mood for what was to follow. The test operatic aria “Bell Bong” from Delibes’ “Lakmo” was the second choice and her voice proved admirably suited To tho difficult recitative, the necessary imitation of the bells and the E in alt which came out clear as a bell. This was a great triumph as was also the popular “Polonaise” from “Mignon” (Thomas), this aria being joyously interpreted. In response to well earned applause Miss Graham gave a sprightly rendering of “Should He Upbraid” (Bishop). A song cycle, “Over the Rim of the Moon” (Michael Head) opened tue second half, “Ships of Arcady,” * ‘Beloved, ” “To One Dead” and “Noc turne,” all very difficult, but serving further to disclose tho vocalist’s artistry. By special request Miss Graham returned to give “Bird Songs at Eve a tide.” Her next offering was “Hindoo Song” (Bemberg) and “Tho Star” (Rogers) further enhanced with violin obligatos sympathetically rendered by Miss Sicely. A group of lovely songs by Grieg followed, which were perfect little cameos, these being “A Lovely Evening in Summer ’Twas,” “A Swan,” “Tho First Primrose,”! “Album Lines,” and “With a Water Lily, ’' calling for real musicianship ‘ which brought spontaneous applause and a further Grieg contribution in J “Brown Eyes.” Finally came the appealing “Eriskay Love Lilt” (arr. j Fraser) and a quaint number, “Don't j Como In, Sir, Please” (Cyril Scott), a translation of a Chinese poem, charm-. ingly interpreted. Further demands brought a delightful conclusion in “Blackbird Song” (Scott). Miss Sicely shows unusual talent for her fifteen years and should go far in the musical world. She has amazing command of her instrument, at times achieving great breadth of tone and overcoming all manner of technical diffi culties with the greatest of ease, whether they be douole stopping, star cato bowing or cadenzas. Her first Offering was “Sonata in A Minor,” a' work by Albinoni m the typical four- ( movement form of the old masters, her j playing of which established her well ' above the ordinary performer. The first j and third movements of this work; (Grave and Largo) immediately showed ' the splendid control this young performer has of her bow. The versatility of her bowing technique was also displayed in the two allegro movements the clarity of the fast passages standing out in contrast to the legato work of the slow movements. Her performance of “Cantabile” (Gluck; showed real musicianship as did * ‘ Chanson Louis XILL and Pavanne” (Ooup-crin-Kreisler). Clever finger work was demonstrated and great delicacy in the numbers on tho second half of the programme which comprised * * Canzonetta,” from Concerto opus 35 (God’ urd), and Miss Sicely achieved outstanding success in tho lovely “Romanze” (Kies; which was a gem, also in “The Holly Bush” (Moffatt) with its catchy double stopping. Further nimbleness of finger work was disclosed in a fascinating encore number, ‘‘The Bee” (Francois Schubert). A popular Kreisler group concluded her programme numbers, ‘ ‘ Schon liosmarin,” “Liebeslied” and “Liebesfreud,” all requiring exact handling, but this young player showed unusual delicacy and refinement of treatment. In response to warm applause she returnod to give tho sparkling' ‘ ‘ Rondino” (Beethovon-Kreisler) to make tho audience realise they had had a real feast of music.

Not the least of tho ploasure of the evening was provided by Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Dickson with their artistic rendering of the accompaniments which in many of the numbers were of particular charm.

Floral and other tributes were showered upon Miss Graham, Miss Sicely) and Mrs. Dickson (Decima ilughson). At the conclusion of the programme, Mr. J. H. Stevens apologised for the absence of Mesdames E. A. Collins and E. B. Jennings, and on behalf of the Willard Home Board, in whose aid the recital was given, returned thanks for the wonderful programme presented. He commended the artistry of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Dickson in the accompaniments provided. Messrs. Graham and Sicely voiced their appreciation of the tributes paid to their daughters. Mr. Hamilton Dickson, who presented these young ladies, must feel gratified indeed in tho great progress they are making which indicates the possibilities before them in the world of music.