STIMULATING CONCERT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 75, Issue 6443, 7 November 1947, Page 4

STIMULATING CONCERT

PRESENTATION OF CHAMBER MUSIC THE HOPKINS STRING QUARTETTE It would be no exaggeration to claim that the programme of chamber music presented in the High School Hall by the Hopkins String Quartet last evening was the finest of its type presented in Te Awamutu under the auspices of the local branch of the Community Arts Service. The programme was in every way a success, and drew a most gratifying response from the audience. Not the least important contribution to the value of the presentation was the explanatory remarks of Mr Owen Jensen, who in addition to performing capably as pianist, introduced each item on the programme with an outline of its musical significance. Mr Jensen’s commentary with its underlying note of authority, left no doubt of the speaker’s deep knowledge of his subject, combined with the capacity to convey his enthusiasm to his audience. Preceding the evening’s performances Mr Jensen explained that no programmes had been provided to the audience as the true spirit of chamber music was informal in which the music was presented as intended for concerts of this nature. “Chamber music is meant to be entertaining,” he explained, going on to say that entertainment was not necessarily a “low-brow” term, but could refer to works of various types and of the highest quality. He did not wish the audience to read into the music too much of an erudite nature, but to remember that Chamber music was meant to be played amongst friends in an intimate and informal atmosphere.

The programme opened with Beethoven’s Trio for Clarinet, ’Cello and Piano, played by George Hopkins (clarinet), Emil Bonney (’cello), and Owen Jensen (piano). This piece contains a fine ’cello passage in the 2nd movement, and throughout the work the rich, mellow tones of the ’cello blends with and softens the more penetrating voice of tlje clarinet. I “Perfect Musical Combination” The next item on the programme was the presentation of “Quartette in G” (Hayden) by the string ensemble. “Hayden has been called the ‘father of the string quartette,’ which is considered the most perfect combination in music, comprising as it does the four voices of the first and second violins, viola and ’cello,,’ explained Mr Jensen, in introducing the ensemble.

Played with sensitiveness and superb combination the slow movement (second) of this quartette is particularly inspiring. Helen Hopkins impressed as leader, although, of course in this, as in other small ensembles, success depends to an equal degree on the measure of support forthcoming from the remainder of the group. The presentation drew a particularly appreciative reaction from the audience, and the, players were recalled and accorded a warm ovation.

Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet provided a most satisfying finale to an excellent evening’s entertainment. Mozart, said Mr Jensen, was the first composer to give prominence to the clarinet in Chamber music. it was explained by the speaker that George Hopkins used the clarinet in “A” for this composition, whereas in the trio that had opened the programme he had used a clarinet iff the key of B flat. There were various technical reasons for this, but in effect the former- instrument gave a softer tone. It is noteworthy, too, that Mr Hopkins apparently prefers the term “clarinet” in reference to the instrument.

George Hopkins was supported by Helen Hopkins Ist violin, Eric Craig 2nd violin; Gregory Frith, viola; and Emil Bonney, cello; and the combination was an excellent one, playing throughout with an appreciation of what was required of each performer. The second movement contained a beautiful aria for the clarinet in which George Hopkins showed what could be done with an instrument more familiarly associated with “jive” than with chamber music. The instrument has a very pleasing tone in its middle register, though the lower notes are sombre to the point of melancholy. There seemed not the slightest doubt that the audience—which with each succeeding presentation appears to be becoming more genuinely critical and selective—had appreciated and enjoyed the programme to the full. The evening was simply and appropriately brought to a close with the National Anthem.