Seven proficient young soloists playing last night with the Bulawayo Municipal Orchestra under conductor Hugh Fenn engendered ample confidence in Bulawayo’s musical future.
Joan Buchler’s account of Bach’s F Minor keyboard concerto was intelligent and deft. The finale was just too fast for proper articulation.
Monique Seckel (14) easily surmounted the difficult melodic leaps of the first movement of Haydn’s G Major Violin Concerto. Rhythmically poised, she should aim at greater tone.
Alison Earl (13) was mature and firm-fingered in the Rondo from Mozart’s D Minor Piano Concerto, but a shade fast and emotionally uncommitted.
In the slow movement of Alec Rowley’s Miniature Concerto, Rose Tobias (10) sensitively did all she could with the mostly ungrateful solo part, while Rosemary Walker (7) sparkled with remarkable technique in the last movement.
Denis Prager (10), in the last movement of the Rowley, cast spells as he unfolded the music’s contrasts. Graham Johnson (11) did the same with a graceful and accomplished reading of Mozart’s Concerto Rondo in D.