GEORGE NEWS - To celebrate the end of two frustrating years of the state of disaster, the George Music Society hosted a concert performed by our own musicians namely Stefan Conradie, violin, accompanied by the ever popular pianist and composer, Dalene Brits. 

Unfortunately a depressingly small number of people turned out to hear them.

The first half of the programme was devoted to a collection of short but popular "salon" pieces starting with J S Bach's Air in D. Conradie is a master of dynamic control as was shown when the violin crept in so quietly that we almost missed the first phrase.

A sprightly romp through the Brahms Hungarian Dance No 5 led us to Elgar's Salut D'amour, played with feeling by both performers. After Dvorak's popular Humoresque No 7 came three pieces by Fritz Kreisler. 

This composer was a concert violinist and he wrote a vast amount of music for that instrument, yet only three pieces have remained in the general repertoire. 

I found the Liebesleid a little too sentimental, but Schön Rosmarin was a worthy inclusion in the programme, especially given the beautiful tone Conradie coaxes from his instrument.

After the interval we were treated to the seldom heard Sonata for violin and piano op 45 by Grieg. This work opened on an aggressive and dynamic note that continued throughout a passionate movement. 

The second movement was a more gentle romance. The third movement opened with a sort of clarion call to "come and join the fun". It swung from mood to mood with a variety of dynamics and ended with a flourish that earned a well-deserved round of applause.

To end the concert, Massenet's endearing Meditation sent us home warmed by an evening of gentle music performed by two excellent musicians.

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