CLASSICAL MUSIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16736, 18 May 1922, Page 7

CLASSICAL MUSIC.

AN AFTERNOON CONCERT. A new musical venture, qnite altruistic in its aims, waa launched yesterday afternoon in the Jellicoe Hall. Four well-known local musicians—-Miss Paula Soherek, Miss Millicont Jennings, Airs J. E. Russell and Air Harold Beck have joined forces to give a series ot concerts at which classical music Will be presented. It is explained that the concerts (one evening and three afternoon fixtures) are being given for the sheer love of tho beautiful works, and that music seldom or never before heard in this little country will be played and sung. One may at / once admire the courage of the talented quartette and wish them well in their undertaking, which has its prosaic financial as well as its artistic side. For the opening concert of the series there was an. audience of encouraging dimensions, which gave the performers unstinted appreciation. The numbers were contributed by Miss Paula Scherek (violinist) and Aliss Millieent •Jennings (mezzo soprano), while the duties of accompanist were shared bv Mrs J. E. Russell and Air Howard Moody Miss Scherek opened with Lorrelli s “Follies d’Espagne.” which included a cadenza written l>v herself. It was a clever performance of a very exacting composition, in which the violinist showed a commendable degree of technical skill. A fine broad tone was produced in the introduction, and the intricate presto movements and variations were played with skiliul facility. Tho tone was not always impeccable, and Miss Scherek I would be well advised to give, quality of tone just as much attention as mechanical proficiency. She did some excellent interpretative work in Hennques’ suite ;* A Child’s Day.'* light ! a , nc *. ai, Y music which is intended to s*fP ,ct . a m tho life of a child, (he imitative monotone of “ The Humming Top,” the gallop of tho "Little Jockey on the Hobby-Horse.” and the rollicking gaiety of the “ Game of Jig and Touch Mood ’ were each and all irresistible, while the more serious ” Homesick ” and “Sleeping Beauty ’ had just the right touch of pleasmg melody. Unaccompanied, Miss Scherek played Bach’s “ Bourre J 1 anci CampagnoLi's “ The Ghost. The latter is a tremolo study, which Miss Scherek played with much skill, though the quality of tone in the main theme was rather thin. An -old French *• Hunting Song wae given with great dash, and very satisfactory renderings were given of Hubay’s “ Lament ” and Franz Kies’s “ Perpetuum Alobile.” Miss Jennings sang four songs, in two of which she was happily suited. She opened with two Italian songs, hut though she interpreted them with her usual artistry they did not quite get over tho footlights. A slightly disconcerting vibrato was in evidence in the first song. The second, which was a pastoral love song, was a good deM better, and was given with much animation. Later Miss Jennings gave two Hebridean folk songs, which were entirely successful. The lirelv “ Churning Lilt” iva.s the more popular. but from the point of artistrv the other Bon g "The Land Under Water” had more to commend it. Jennings has a special faculty for the suitable presentation of folk songs. Tho accompanists deserve a word of praise for their sympathetic and helpful playing, and they were not overlooked in the incidental tributes of chocolates and Hovers. The next concert of the scries n-ill be given on the afternoon of May 31.