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NEL a 0 adn x ALTE 0 A ida bd * Popular local artist receives Dr. Tom Millar opens Town Hall season By Gertrude Jackson ~The Program Committee of Town Hall 1873 made a wise decision when they chose Dr. Tom Millar as the artist to open 'the 1977-78 concert season. Dr. Millar is a very talen- ted and competent musi- cian, with an extraordinary gift of presenting his music with enthusiasm, and warmth of expression, Those who had heard him were eager to hear him again; and those who unfor- tunately missed his concert last 'year, were happy to have this opportunity on Friday night. Mr. Doug Farndale, Chairman of Town Hall 1873, welcomed the guests in a few well chosen words and called on Gloria Forder to introduce, the artist of the evening. At the close of her gracious little speech of welcome to the Dr., the audience rose to honor him, and again at the close of the recital, he was given a standing ovation. It was pleasing to find the programme planned.in the traditional manner, with the composers and numbers in chronological : order, from Bach of 'the Baroque era through Mozart and Schu- bert, who belonged to the classic period. The last half of the programme, included compositions of the Roman- tic and Modern era. ~ Young artists hesitate to play Bach at a recital for he is possibly the least under- stood of the great compos- ers. Bach was a church organist a great deal of his life, and his music has a kind of spiritual quality. Many audiences call Bach's music 'high brow' and say that they don't like it be- cause it "hasn't any tune in it". On the contrary, much ean: gesy "EN tnere's? of his music has often two or three tunes, running -a- long at the same time, with" a strong steady bass finding them together. Dr. Millar choice was Prelude and Fugue No. 17, Book 2 Will Tempered Clavier - In the Fugue it sounds as if there are two or three friends visiting together and the "voices" (or parts) keep up a continuous conversation, at times quiet and other times boisterous as if there were an argument. It takes a great deal of artistry to bring out these "tunes". It is clever music and it was performed by .a clever artist, ; gi. oh 23 Mozart's Sonata in C Major, belongs to the Class- ic era. His music is exqui- site and gracious. It often: has - that simple melodious quality, which makes the listener very unaware of the artistry and technique re- quired to interpret Mozart, as it should be done, This 'REFRIGE ENDS THIS SATURDAY 985-2272 Sonata is in three move- ments. The first and third are written in lively cheer- ful tempo with bursts 'of incredible speed and force- ful playing, but never with too vulgar a display of noise. Mozart's music has always an air of refinement. The middle movement Adante Cantabile is in direct contrast and is as the word Cantabile implies, .written in a beautiful lyric style with singing tone, which makes one feel it, should have words. This complete Sonata was done with warm, musical sensi- bility. Schubert lived only 31 years, but in that time wrote more than 600 songs. ° His name is synonymous with "tunes'" but he wrote a great deal of other music. Dr. Millar played one of the most brilliant of his piano pieces. Impromptu in A Flat Major with fine under- standing of the continuous melodie interest, occurring most of the time in the bass: This is a well known classic and was enthusiastically re- ceived by the audience. Following the intermis- sion 'we had a change of style and an Etude in B Flat Minor by Szmanowski was a delight with rich, smooth, sonorous chords. We are not too familiar with this composer but this Etude made us long to hear more of his music. Debussy, one of the most popular of modern com- posers, has a very cool, refreshing style of writing and Dr. Millar brought out this exciting quality in '""Reverie" and "Passe- pied". Everyone was wait- ing for the all time favorite "Clair de Lune" and they were not disappointed. The understanding, and tender beauty of melody, was brought "out so effectively that we felt our artist had captured the composers vision of 'Clair de Lune." Finally the last group, by Chopin, the best loved of all the Romantic era compos- ers, included the Sonata in B Flat 1st movement, The immense, boundless variety of tone and technical facil- ity required in this Sonata, was a supreme example of the composers and the pianists skills. Polonaise in E Flat Minor followed and Dr. Millar showed again his mastery of the keyboard, as \/\VA White-Westinghouse NOW A SIDE-BY-SIDE " RATOR - FREEZER At A Sensible Price! 16 cu.ft. Frost Free Just 32" Wide - On easy Roll Castors - Full Warranty. Port Perry, Ontarjo : Hous or Howano BUSINESS 241 Queen St. PHILP 150 WATER STREET - PORT PERRY little touch of whimsy, -in introducing "Danny Boy" for a few measures, gave the audience a little fun and reminded us. of Victor Borge. The Nocturne in E Flat studied by many of our senior students, was parti- cularly appealing and with its beautiful legato phrases was like a lyrical poem. In the final Chopin number, Scherzo in C Sharp Minor, Dr. Millar ran the gamut of feeling, expression and technical prowess - a pecial. Qvitation We invite you to visit our Dealership THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6th & FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7th, 1977 and see the NEW 1978 MODELS now on display OPEN 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. REFRESHMENTS AVAILABLE PONTIAC-BUICK LIMITED 985-7309 FURNITURE -- TV. -- APPLIANCES RESIDENCE Howard Hall 985-2367 PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1977 -- 11 standing ovations he. sped through -the. intri... Splendid ending for a won... . ... "cate, rapid runs. 'A subtle derfully satisfying evening. Even after giving us such a prodigious programme, our artist responded to our applauding demands for an encore, and played the meltingly, beautiful trans- cription by Liszt of Schu- mann's Dedication. The audience was invited to a reception in the down- stairs lounge where they were happy to meet and chat with Dr. Millar and his lovely wife Katharine, ask for, and receive autographs and enjoy coffee, lemonade and sweets. .