An Evening in Bohemia

By TARA WERNER

SCHOOL OF MUSIC, Auckland University - Violinist Julia Dibley (19), a third-year performance student at the School of Music, ran a musical gauntlet last Thursday night. She was performing to an audience consisting almost entirely of teachers and fellow music students.

The resulting tension appeared to affect her tone, which sounded quite harsh. It took her and pianist Timothy Evans some time to fully relax, and when they finally did, the music flowed and her playing was less astringent.

Both had the technical ability to cope with a difficult programme of Dvorak, Martinu, Suk, Janacek and Smetana. But with more recital experience the two will probably lighten up and allow each score to fully speak for itself.

The raw intensity of their approach benefited Martinu's Impromptu (1927) due to its rhythmic vitality, and also Janacek's Sonata for Violin and Piano because of its emotional power.

But a little more care could have been taken with both balance and dynamics, since the violin was too dominant.

The lyrical quality of much of the other Bohemian music performed was also understated. The opening Sonatina in G, Op 100 by Dvorak suffered in this regard, especially in the larghetto.

However, there were many glimmers of real potential, such as in Suk's Four Pieces for Violin and Piano (1900), where a good balance was achieved between the duo. Both seemed finally in their element in Dvorak's beautifully crafted Four Romantic Pieces Op 75, with the composer's bitter-sweet and nostalgic-sounding melodies receiving a warm performance.

And Smetana's From my Homeland made a dashing finale to the programme, with Dibley and Evans racing to the finishing line.