The final event in the southernmost celebration of Benjamin Britten's centenary was a recital of three instrumental works from the legacy of music left by this notable British composer of last century, and the large lunchtime audience at Marama Hall yesterday were treated to a very professional performance by University Music Department staff (oboe Nick Cornish, cello Heleen Du Plessis, piano John van Buskirk, violin Tessa Peterson and viola Andrew Filmer).
Phantasy Oboe Quartet, Op.2 (1932) is an early work full of promise by the 19-year-old Britten, already recognised as a composer. The sparse and cautious novel entry from the cello first created an air of anticipation and an uncertainty of what was to come, before the listener was rewarded with a great variety of harmonic textures and oboe highlights of melodic ingenuity.
Six Metamorphoses after Ovid, for Oboe, Op.49 (1951) was accorded an outstanding performance from local oboe player Nick Cornish. Such purity of tone and supreme control, as each of the five movements he presented were first introduced, then played with thoughtful nuance and articulation.
''Giggling women'', ''flowing waters'', ''weeping mountains'' or ''racing chariots'' - all received immaculate phrasing and colour in his sensitive interpretation.
Suite for Violin and Piano, Op.6 performed by La Belle Alliance again proved to be several movements of unpredictability for the listener - a pastiche of innovative harmonies and melodic passages, strident bowing and glissandos, originally premiered in Vienna, in 1936.
The programme notes, which referred to ''instrumental acrobatics'', say it all, and the performers delivered most appropriately. Britten 100 Festival has been a week of enjoyment and learning for those who attended all or many of the presentations, and indeed has been a real treat for local audiences.
Lunchtime Concert
Marama Hall
Wednesday, April 24
- Elizabeth Bouman
