[...]
Tuesday and Wednesday the Montreal Symphony
Orchestra presented its 12th and last twin concerts of the subscription series.
Zubin Mehta conducted and presented a program which seemed rather unusual at
first sight, but its success proved quite undeniable. The evening started with
the world premiere of the Concerto No. 1 for Piano and Orchestra by the Canadian
composer, Oskar Morawetz. The reputation of Morawetz is firmly established in
Canada and we expected a work of high calibre. Far from being disappointed, we
were delighted. This concerto is a captivating work, magnificiently written for
the soloist as well as the orchestra, a work one would like to hear again as
soon as possible. In three movements without interruption, the concerto exploits
with consumate skill and without the slightest pretention all the resources of
the piano.
The composer makes use of orchestral colours with astonishing
variety. The composition develops with a simplicity and spontaneity which are
not unusually the main characteristics of contemporary works. I feel that the
success of the concerto was quite exceptional and it is an important addition to
the Canadian concerto repertory, which is rather limited.
The young pianist, Anton Kuerti, an American of
Vienese origin, performed the work with an artistic understanding worthy of the
greatest praise. I have been told that he learned the work on a few week's
notice. Under the circumstances, he accomplished a real tour de force,
especially since he played the work by memory. Zubin Mehta brought out the
numerous subtleties of the skillful and very varied orchestrations of Morawetz.
I have seldom seen a Canadian work received with such spontaneity by the public.
As soon as the last measures of the brilliant last movement were finished, the
audience applauded frantically, and one heard comments of satisfaction and
appreciation which spoke volumes. Mr. Morawetz came to the stage to take a bow
and receive this year's $1000 prize, given to the Montreal Symphony Orchestra by
the Ford Society of Canada.
[...]
