There are a few works in music which inhabit some knife-edge between jubilation and tragedy, miraculously participating in both, but submerged in neither. Among these are Mozart’s Grosse Fugue and the final Hallelujah in the minor key in Bach’s cantata, Christ Lag in Todesbanden.
Child of the opera house Рnot church
After completing William Tell, Rossini went into musical silence for 39 years, broken only – apart from some trite jottings – by his Stabat Mater and the Petit Messe Solenelle.
Mature playing at R.A.M. concert
The Rhodesian Academy of Music’s periodic presentation concerts give the public an opportunity to keep in touch with its work. Friday evening’s concert gave a firm impression of progress in every field of performance.
Fine Messiah sung by City chorus
Handel’s vision of redemption in the Messiah is no less exhalted or deeply felt for being express in open-hearted, forthright musical language.
Music at its best
It is well known that it does not rain if you close the car windows. I am afraid, therefore, to say too much about what sounds like a new “high” in orchestral playing in Bulawayo in case it should cause a similar effect.
Pleasing City Recital
Marjorie Hird’s singing was always notable for ease of delivery and wholesome charm. Her Bulawayo lunch-hour recital yesterday for the Rhodesian Academy of Music showed that in the two years since her last such appearance, she had made big strides in voice control.
Any fears banished by violinist
For a 25-year-old violinist, the programmed look ambitious – Bach’s great Chaconne, Brahms’ late D. minor sonata, and Debussy’s elusive G. minor sonata
Sonata was in wrong sequence
The practice of planning concert programmes in chronological sequence of works is firmly established, but perhaps there are occasions when the traditions should be relinquished.
Iolanthe easy on the ear
Just 25 years ago, G.B. Shaw’s plays were the last word in fashionable heresy. They are almost forgotten now, while the older Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, whose barbs are certainly gentler, but which prod at some of the same venialities, always find an audience.
Irritating Problem at City Concert
Last night’s concert by the Bulawayo Municipal Orchestr, under Hugh Fenn, turned out a series of honourable near-misses. This sort of thing can be more irritating than downright failure.