TRIO RECITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22133, 11 December 1933, Page 11

TRIO RECITAL

PRESENTATION OF RARE INTEREST Dunedin music lovers are granted so few opportunities of hearing expositions of chamber music, which is considered to be the purest form of composition for instrumental ensembles, that it is a matter for some surprise that a larger number did not avail themselves of the opportunity of becoming more familiar with this type of work which was afforded by the trio recital presented by Mcsdames H. C. Campbell, E. T. Porter, and J. R. Moffett in Begg’s Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. These musicians occupy a deservedly prominent place in musical circles in this city, both by reason of their high individual qualifications and their welcome contribution to the artistic life of Dunedin of a fine combination which hag already established itself as a distinct asset, the first recital some months ago creating a highly favourable impression. Since its formation this trio has achieved a coramendably high standard of artistic effort, the confidence and mutual understanding which were a feature of Saturday night’s performance giving evidence of an enthusiasm which is deserving of the warmest encouragement, for the city’s education in thi 6 type of music has been sadly neglected. The performance on the whole was marked by attractive interpretative colouring, while the balance of the combination, if anything, showed an improvement on that achieved at the first recital. Mrs Campbell’s work at the piano was, as usual, of a brilliantly artistic character, her strength of delineation and wealth of interpretative shading creating an excellent foundation for the ensemble. Her sustained power in the more robust passages and her fine tone whatever the mood were two of the outstanding features of a masterly performance. Mrs Porter again carried out her work in a manner indicative of a thorough understanding of her subjects, and in addition to displaying a wealth of interpretative artistry allied to splendid execution, achieved a warm, broad tone in which there was no trace of the hardness which was noticeable in her tone quality at the previous recital. Mrs Moffetts ’cello part was performed with her usual delicacy of < expression. Her technique was fully equal to the demands made Upon it by even the most difficult works, and her tone was always rich and full of colour. The recital opened with an impressive performance of the massive Brahms Trio No. 1, a work which occupied close on three-quarters of an hour. It was an exacting task that the instrumentalists had set themselves, but the confidence with which they attacked! their work, the unanimity of expressional shading, and the excellent balance achieved and sustained throughout created a highly favourable impression. It was a distinctly successful effort, and the musicians fully deserved the warm expressions of appreciation which they received at the conclusion of their monumental task. A charming interlude was provided by a bracket of short compositions which consisted of ■ Moussorgsky’s “Une Lame,' a restrained and melodious little number which received delightfully graceful treatment, a lively and colourful minuet by Saint-Saens,' and Faure’s “Elegie,’ a work of great melodic beauty which was played with exquisite freedom of expression. Probably the most attractive presentation of the evening was the trio by Bradley Rootham, in the performance of which the instrumentalists seemed to be even, more at home than in any other work on the programme. Of modern English type, this composition opened with a fresh and rhythmic allegretto which was played with fine spirit and colour) the beautiful second movement also receiving delightfully artistic treatment. The concluding allegretto, with its abrupt finale, was played with vivacity and vigour, the finale being cleanly and crisply achieved. It was a singularly interesting work, obviously based on English folk dances and music, and the manner of its presentation lent it an added charm. The reeitay concluded with the brilliant “ Erstes Trio,” by Schumann, a highly complex and exacting work demanding considerable versatility on the part of the'performers. Here again the quality of the combination was happily evident, and the instrumentalists achieved a performance which did them every credit, the rousing final movement being a particularly impressive presentation, the concerted power and splendid tonal balance, as well as the excellent spirit which was maintained, winning the audience’s high approval. On the whole the programme was one which was replete with interest, and it is to be hoped that this talented ensemble will afford Dunedin music lovers further opportunities of studying this branch of musical art.