Rene Soames (tenor)
Clifton Helliwell (accompanist)
The New London Quartet: Erich Gruenberg (violin) Lionel Bentley (violin) Keith Cummings (viola) Douglas Cameron (cello)
Franz Reizenstein (piano)

Although Franz Reizenstein is a pianist and doubtless wrote the piano part of his Quintet with himself in mind as performer, he would appear to have avoided the chief danger inherent in such works: that of giving the pianist the lion's share' while reducing the strings to the level of a mere accompaniment. The piano part, though by no means wanting .in brilliance and elaboration, does not swamp the strings, and the interest is equally divided among all the instruments. The work, while showing a strong feeling for harmonic effect, is largely polyphonic in style, and vigorous, athletic rhythms abound. In the slow movement there are many passages of eloquence and drama; the Scherzo, in contrast, suggests a gay hunting party. The finale has a slow introduction :n which the themes of the main part of the movement are adumbrated; they are subsequently developed with ingenuity and resource. (Harold Rutland)