Shostakovich Week

Whether by accident or design, campus composer of the week appears to be Shostakovich. At one o'clock on Wednesday June 14, the Poly-Vic Orchestra plays Shostakovich Symphony No. 1, while lunchtime concert on Thursday June 15 features his String Quartet No. 8, plus Brahm's Quartet op. 51 in C minor.

Concerts in the second term have so far concentrated on instrumental rather than vocal works. Early in the term we heard Ken Young playing a contemporary work for solo tuba by Gordon Kinney, and in the same programme Deidre Irons (piano) and Ken Young performed Hindemith's Sonata for Tuba and Piano (1943). Although interesting in terms of sonority textural balance of the tuba-piano combination was not always the happiest. Two Handel Sonatas for flute proved however a most delightful instrumental companionship. The Baroque Players, always an aural treat, also performed a programme of music by Handel, Purcell and Vivaldi. Anthony Jennings playing harpsichord was a bonus.

Perhaps the most exciting work performed this term was Rebecca Clarke's Sonata for Viola and Piano (1919). Born in England in 1886 of American-German parents, Rebecca Clarke was trained at the Royal College of Music, London, and was a professional viola player and composer. Her Sonata for viola and piano is a famous piece which won the 2nd Coolidge Prize in 1919. Expertly performed by Gavin Saunders and Deidre Irons, the Sonata surprised and delighted with its rich sonority, wealth of melodic ideas and contrapuntal brilliance.