University Baroque at the School of Music

By TARA WERNER

SCHO0L OF MUSIC, Auckland - This group of students specialising in music of the period demonstrated an obvious affection for both Bach and Vivaldi.

The small orchestra under the direction of James Tibbles has a lovely mellow sound combined with close attention to stylistic detail, such as clear contrasts in dynamics.

Given the season, the choice of Winter from Vivaldi's The Four Seasons for Friday night was entirely apt, with all the descriptive elements - shivering in icy snow, or the sound of raindrops outside while sitting by the fire - receiving careful treatment.

Soloist Simeon Broom played with total assurance without dominating his colleagues.

If University Baroque appears to have gone from strength to strength, then the University Singers under conductor Karen Grylls is a choir that also continues to build a robust reputation.

A highly effective interpretation of Vivaldi's Dixit Dominus highlighted the singers' vocal ability, stalwartly accompanied by Tibbles' musicians.

The quiet teamwork between both musical directors, each conducting the appropriate sections, seemed to make the music flow along pleasantly.

Vivaldi's innovative scoring, at one stage pitting two sopranos against two cellos, or high trumpet versus alto, provided soloists and musicians alike with plenty of challenges which, on the whole, were well met.

Three chamber works complemented the larger musical forces used.

After a hint of disjointedness in the first section of Telemann's Fantasia No 3, solo flautist Elizabeth Farrell seemed to gain more confidence in the following allegro.

Meantime, James Tibbles and Michael Bell played Bach's Concerto for two harpsichords with elan, both instruments sounding in perfect accord.

A warm and evenly matched interpretation of Bach's Sonata for two flutes and continuo rounded off a comprehensive and satisfying programme.