CHAMBER MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20978, 15 September 1931, Page 11

CHAMBER MUSIC.

AUCKLAND SOCIETY CONCERT. An interesting programme was presented by the Auckland Chamber Music Society at its third concert of the 1931 season, which was presented in the Lewis Eady Hell last evening. Three pieces of chamber music were given, consisting of a trio, a violin sonata and a piano quartette. The opening number was William F. Hurlstone's Trio m G, for piano, violin and violoncello, the parts being played by Miss Margot St. Lawrence Toner; Miss Jean Allen, and Miss Marjorie Tiarks, respectively. On the whole a very creditable performance was given, the work being well balanced and showing 4in improvement in cohesion and attack. The first movement, allegro moderato, was brisk and refreshing and was rendered with pleasing crispness. In the andante second movement some fine work was dona by the violoncello, which carried the bulk of the melody. This was followed by a lively molto vivace movement, and tha trio was concluded with a return to the style of the opening in an allegro comodo movement, which was nicely done except for a little uncertainty on the part of the violin. The second number, John Ireland's Violin Sonata, No. 2, in A Minor, was played by Miss Jean Allen, the piano part being taken by Miss Toner. The performance of this work was marked by vigour and brilliance of tone. The first. allegro movement provided an interesting study in harmonies, and was followed by a very attractive slow movement. The final movement, which was taken at a ,moderate tempo, was excellently played, both instruments achieving a unity of purpose which left a very good impression Schumann's Quartette, Opus 47, in E Flat, for piano and strings, was ihe concluding number. In this the performers were Miss Toner, piano; Miss Allen, violin; Miss Amy Stevenson,"viola; and Mi ss Tiarks, violoncello. This was perhaps the most attractive item on the programme, a fact which must be due in no small degree to Schumann's excellence as a composer of chamber music. , Possessing a great deal of technical interest, the work had at the same time a lightness and smoothness which made it very enjoyable for the average listener. The opening movement was the allegro ma non troppo, a dainty and well-finished movement, which was given a very sympathetic interpretation. The scherzo, which followed, was nicely done, and provided a contrast in mood with the an- - dante cantabile of the third movement. A lively and vigorous concluding movement revealed the quartette at its best, the piano being outstanding.