GEORGE NEWS - A disappointing but appreciative audience came to the Mother Church to hear Elmarie van der Vyver (viola) and Mathilda Hornsveld (piano) present a programme of largely Latin American music with some other light pieces added to the mix.
The concert opened with Oye mi ilanto by the Argentinian composer Carlos Buchardo. This composer was influenced by the music of his native Argentina and wrote mostly songs for voice and piano of a romantic nature.
It was followed by another Argentinian, Carlos Guastavino, who was also influenced by the folk music of his country. La rosa y el sauce translates as the Rose and the willow, a song with romantic connotations.
The church building is not kind to instruments and it took a little time for the two instruments to find a suitable balance.
Hans Sitt was a Bohemian of great talent. In 1891 he wrote Albumblätter, a book of six short pieces, each with their own charm, mood and tempo. These pieces gave Van der Vyver a chance to show off her instrument and the allegro molto vivace ended with a flourish, deserving a good round of applause.
Glazanov's Elergy, Rachmaninov's Vocalise and Kreisler's Liebesleid and Syncopation are all popular "light classics" that the two musicians clearly enjoyed performing. These pieces were followed by Scott Joplin's often played Entertainer. There was a slight glitch with repeats which was satisfactorily overcome.
Back to Latin America with the Uruguayan, Gerado Rodriguez, who was a composer and journalist who lived from 1897 to 1945. His La Cumparsita was given the full tango treatment by both instrumentalists and we were just short of the dancers. This was followed by Astor Piazzolla's Oblivion, a slow and passionate song with a lazy tango rhythm.
Ladies in Lavender was a dramatic/romantic film starring Judy Dench and Maggie Smith, released in 2004. The music was composed by Nigel Hess and we heard his hauntingly beautiful romantic theme from the film.
To end the concert we heard Niel van der Watt's excellent Cari Amici, una Chaconne, a set of variations set round a block chord theme. All the twists and turns were ably negotiated by the viola, well supported by the piano.
The South African composer, Stephanus le Roux Marais, wrote a song called Heimwee (Homesick), evocatively reminding one of the lonely life in a boarding school, and this rounded off a very satisfying concert. I hope to hear more from these two fine musicians in a more instrument-friendly venue.
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