THE GUILD OF SINGERS AND PLAYERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21406, 6 August 1931, Page 16

THE GUILD OF SINGERS AND PLAYERS

SOOTH'CONCERT A NEW ZEALAND PIANIST. > (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, June 25.

The well-attended concert at the Wigmore Hall on June 18—the 500th of a senes given by the Guild of Singers and Players—was of additional interest to New Zealanders in view of the fact that Miss Esther Fisher, the young pianist, was taking part in the evening’s entertainment. This was the first occasion on which she has done so, and it was a markedly successful one. Miss Fisher’s work has reached a high level of achievement, and the Guild is to be congratulated upon adding her name to its list of members. Of the three sonatas for piano and violin chosen by herself and the violinist, Miss Murray Lambert, as their contribution to the programme, that of Arnold Bax (No. 3) was the most brilliantly rendered, while the combined full tone of the two instruments in the Brahms (Op. 100 in A major) made perhaps, for a more completely satisfying performance. In the Bach Sonata (No. 1 in B minor) the impression was less admirable —for Miss Lambert’s tone, here, was not so rich as that of the pianist, and the result was naturally a slight unevenness in the playing. The “ team-work ” —if it may be so termed — was thus, for all its good qualities, not able to produce the brilliance, as well as balance, by which Miss Fisher’s solo interpretations of Bach are usually characterised. She wisely moderated her own powers in order to blend the better with those of her partner, and in this she showed yet again the artistry which is an invariable part of -her performance, at the same time evincing a fine tact and sense of proportion. The Bax sonata was applauded with great enthusiasm. Miss Fisher is thoroughly “at home ” with the moderns, and the! violinist, too, seemed well suited. Their handling of the rhythms and repetitions of the Moderate movement commanded a special admiration. Each player brought to this music, the necessary ’breadth and • clarity of technique, and that skilful phrasing without which the larger part of the Allegro Molto might so easily become mere “sound and fury;” As it was, they together made the most of its somewhat perverse effects, and indicated 1 with success the touch of elemental grandeur that ennobles ' these and acquits the whole composition of eccentricity. An effective contrast was provided by concluding the programme with the Brahms Sonata. In this the violinist’s general tone was fuller and rounder, and the whole impression was a mellow .and pleasing one, with a fine blending' of both instruments.

The other' guild representative was the contralto,' Miss Jessie King, who sang very charmingly, a carefully-chosen succession of songs. Sixteenth century Italian “ canzone ” were included, as well as examples by Btahms and Mahler and a few modern English composers, and they served excellently to demonstrate the flexibility and sweet quality of her voice. Evidently the most attractive of them all, in the opinion of the. audience,, was Hamilton Harty’s delightful “ Scythe Song,” which was much applauded, and had to be repeated. Miss King was deservedly called upon for another encore at the end of her last group, anfi credit is also due to Mr Augustus Lowe, for'his sympathetic and skilful accompaniments.; 1