PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19897, 17 September 1926, Page 6

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

MISS BARTH’S PUPILS. The pianoforte recital given by Miss Barth’s pupils in Burns Hall last night attracted an audience which completely filled the lower part of the hall, and this notwithstanding the extremely inclement weather. The youthful musicians gave an entirely enjoyable concert, and the renderings of the various items were listened to with the keenest interest. The opening number was a double duo by Misses Jessie Ellis, Clara Armour, Millicent Rodger, and Olive Moreton, the quartet playing the familiar “Serenata” by Moskowski, and giving a fair rendering of the piece. The balance was at times rather weak. Miss Jean Hendry followed with “Dance Negre” (Cyril Scott), and gave a sound rendering of the piece, with nice appreciation of light and shade, and Miss Clarice Colbert’s playing of “Fantasic Impromptu” (Chopin) was marked by excellent technique. This player had a good firm touch, and her interpretation was marked by fine insight.

“Second Valse” (Arensky) was set down opposite the names of Misses Marjorie M’Dowell and Mari Tucker, but the playing lacked co-ordination, the second pianist’s tone being too heavy. Miss Tucker’s playing, however, was invested with excellent finish, and her execution was also good. “Ballade, Op. 23” (Chopin) was the next number, and Miss Phyllis Anderson handled the piece well. The runs were well done, the expression

good, the technique sound, _ and the playing all through most praiseworthy. A double duo, “Merry Wives of Windsor” (Nicolai), followed, and was played by Misses Miriam Smyth, .lean Hendry, Clarice Colbert, and Mary M'Arthur. The piece contains some charming music, and the players kept a good balance, and treated the thought of the composer sympathetically and with a full appreciation of the light and shade effects. The performance of Misses Malsic M’Donald ond Alice Wilson in “First Concerto, B Flat Major” (Liszt), opened well, and despite a break in the middle of the piece the interpretation and execution were very pieasing, the softer effects and the crescendo movements

being well brought out. Miss Miriam Smyth gave a tasteful interpretation of “w'aldesrauchcn” (Liszt), her reading of the piece showing sympathetic insight, and Misses Maisic M'Doimld. Helen Wilson, Alice Wilson, and Marjorie M'Dowell were heard to advantage in the double duo “Rhapsodic No. 2” (Liszt). The quartet maintained a good balance, the tone was firm and true, and the lilting effects charm-

ingly played. Miss Helen Wilson played “Nocturne Op. 48” (Chopin) in good style, and Miss Maisie Wood nicely interpreted “Rhapsodic No. 6” (Liszt). This player has a fine touch, and plays with plenty of expression. Her performance was also marked by character, and altogether her playing was worthy of particular mention. Miss Gretta Logan played ft difficult piece, “Ballade, Op. 24” (Grieg), and caught the idea of the composer well. She gave an excellent rendering of the piece, her playing being always invested with thoughtfulness. The last item on the programme was a double duo by Misses Phyllis Anderson, Ruth Moore, Dorothy Tlmson, and Peggie Lavender, whose playing of “Poet and Peasant” (Suppe) was splendidly carried through. The quartet had a good understanding of each other’s playing, and the balance was well maintained from start to finish.