Word: soloiste
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Vancouver Symphony (Sun. 6:30 p.m., ABC). Broadcast from Canada. Soloist: Pianist Solomon...
...Berlioz' "Harold in Italy" (Symphony' in Four Parts with Viola Solo) is the musical story of a poet "wandering about the Italian countryside (represented by the orchestra) adding his individual comment (the viola part) to the scenes which passed before his eyes." In last Friday's performance, both the soloist, William Primrose, and the audience added some comment that Berlioz had not figured...
Depicting a "March of Pilgrims Singing Their Evening Hymn," the second movement is a gentle lyrical piece ending on a long sustained note played by the strings and the soloist. The performance seemed an improvement over that of the first section: Ansermet had more control over the orchestra and Primrose played his difficult part flawlessly and seemingly without effort. As the movement concluded, instrument after instrument dropped out until only the soloist and the strings remained playing. Primrose poised his bow for the last note and, with the impact of a siren in an empty subway station, produced the sourest...
With a grimace of rage and a wave of his hand, Ansermet restored order, and the noisy fourth movement began. As the soloist had only a bar or two to play during the whole movement, Primrose stood idle, making a picture much like the one of Attorney-General McGrath published in last week's issue of Life...
When "Harold's" musical journey finally thundered to a halt, the audience gave the soloist a tremendous ovation. Bowing and smiling, Primrose had to return to the stage four times to acknowledge the applause. Whether the audience was merely clapping out of relief or appreciation for the performance, this writer will never know...