If Prokofiev and Shostakovitch have remained interesting second-raters, it is not through lack of talent. The blame rests firmly with a regime which has insisted on full-time allegiance to its approved philosophies and which as disallowed the personal vision as heretical and subversive.
Distinguished by Discipline
The post war years have seen the inauguration in Europe and elsewhere of several small string groups devoted primarily to reviving music of the 18th century. Possibly the war itself prompted a sense of distaste for the excess of romanticism and a nostalgia for restrained, classical values
Miss Addie invades a male province
Pianist Fiona Addie chose two very dissimilar fruits of the late Romantic era for her appearance last night with the Bulawayo Municipal Orchestra under Hugh Fenn.
Girl with startling talent
Jennifer Huntly is a young Rhodesian pianist studying overseas. Her recital last evening, was not entirely successful. Nonetheless, I believe that she has a startling talent, and there need be no limit to what she can achieve.
Fr. Girard in splendid voice
Shortly before last evening’s concert by the Bulawayo Municipal Orchestra, under Hugh Fenn, I was warned that the visiting bass soloist, Father Fernand Girard, was fighting a severe cold and had even lost his voice in the morning.
Anne, Sandra outstanding
The senior pupils who performed at the lunch-hour concert yesterday of the Rhodesian Academy of Music sustained a high level of accomplishment. Two performances were outstanding:
Soprano in Fine Voice
Yesterday’s lunch-hour recital of the Rhodesian Academy of Music brought Judith Conradie Watt (soprano) back to the concert platform after several years’ absence. A warm reception testified to her popularity.
This Mozart pianist lacked authority
Mozart produced some of his greatest work at astonishingly high creative pressure. The last three symphonies were written in six weeks, and the C. Minor Piano Concerto in 21 days between work on The Marriage of Figaro.
This voice has big promise
The overheard comment of a schoolgirl leaving Saturday evening’s concert by Asher Hainovitz and the Barbara Thomas Singers – “I wish it had gone on for hours” – was probably a good index of popular feeling.
Youngsters show progress
The Rhodesian Academy of Music lunch-hour concert yesterday followed the yearly practice of featuring some of the pupils who had achieved special success in the eisteddfod. As many of the youngsters figure annually, it was interesting to record their progress. have