MARIE HALL RECITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 177, 26 July 1907, Page 2

MARIE HALL RECITAL.

A MUSICAL SUCCESS.

Auckland lovers of music in recent years have been favoured with a. visit from a king of pianists—Paderewskd—a king of 'celloists—Jean Gerardy—and now a queen of violinistes—Miss Marie Hall—is with U3. The advent of Marie Hal] has been awaited with much interest for some time, and the large audience that filled the Choral Hall last evening to hear the famous violiniste play was _ertainly both critical and exacting, judging by the enthusiastic reception accorded to the distinguished artist.

Miss Marie Hall needs little introduction to us, her name and fame as a violiiriste being worldrknown. Having studied her instrument under Seveik, of Prague, a teacher responsible for manyfamous violinists, is sufficient guarantee of a thorough musical education, and we may say at once that her playing came in the form of a, revelation to those present. The programme submitted at the initial recital last evening was certainly a very fine one, comprising works of the classical and modern school composers, which included the famous Max Bruch G Minor Concerto. Precisely to time Miss Marie Hall, an artiste of slim stature and unassuming manners, appeared to play the opening number, "Max Bruch Concerto," and was warmly welcomed -by the audience, who had not long to wait to realise that a rich musical treat, was in store for them. The | violiniste attacked the opening cadenza in the concerto with confidence, and made it quite apparent that she was master of her instrument, negotiating the chords,_ octaves and arpeggios with the utmost ease. The lovely adagio which followed, full of sadness, calling for noble and intellectual interpretation, was superbly played, the stillness of the audience during its performance amply testifying to the power of expression conveyed by the artiste. The final allegro movement, with its brilliant passages, was given with ease and telling effect, and aroused the listeners to much enthusiasm. Miss Hall received a well deserved ovation, having to bow her acknowledgments. The items next essayed by the violiniste were bracketed numbers, (a) "La Folia," by Corelli, and (b) "The Zephyr," by Hubay. The former, a composition of the old school, with it* quaint theme and variations, including an unaccompanied subject bristling with difficulties, "was played in a musicianly manner and with perfect intonation. The '• Zephyr," a charming contrast, introducing effective harmonics, always cleanly taken, proved a favourite with the audience,' who insisted on an encore. Miss Hall kindly responded with a charming rendering of Saint Saens' "La Cygne." Four bracketed items followed, viz?, (a) "Aye Marie (Schubert- Wilhelmj), (b) "The Bee" (Schubert), (c) <• Humoreske " (Dvorak), (d) -Hejre Kati'"' (Hubay). In the rendering of the "Aye Maria" a little want of breadth of tone was noticeable to enable the listener to fully realise the noble intensity of this lovely theme, but a deep conception was, nevertheless, achieved. " The Bee" proved a charming little mprceau for muted strings, most daintily played. Dvorak's " Humoreske " also proved a favourite with the audience. Hubay's "Hejre Kati" scene from the Czarda was given in characteristic Hungarian style, "the violiniste quite revelling in its performance. The sustained trills, double stops and the harmonics towards its close. were all so clearly defined; the audience again demanded an'eneore, Miss Hall responding with '" Canzone tta," by A. D'Ambroise. The final number standing against the name of Miss Marie Hall was the difficult "Faust Fantasie," arranged by Wieniawski, and her magnificent playing of this exacting musical feat certainly earned for her the high eulogium expressed by those present at the rich musical feast submitted to them last night. Miss Marie Hall's remarkable powers over her violin came to her without effort or forced intention, and her tellin°- expression and perfect technical command, and a fine conception .of music certainly enable her to hold a position amongst first rank artists. Mile- Lonie Basehe, the pianiste associated with Miss Marie Hall, filled the arduous position of solo pianist and accompanist. To say that she ably fulfilled these two roles hardly does her justice, for they weTe carried out with. conspicuous ability, and we may say at once that this lady, as a pianist, has a "cair" to the instrument. The solo numbers" contributed included 3-bracket Chopin items—(a) Nocturne, F sharp;) (b) Etude, G flat; (c) Valse.Aflat. These solos were played by Mile. Lonie Basehe on a magnificent Beehstein Grand, and her fine conception of the Polish composer's music was certainly delightful. Possessed of phenomenal technique powers, good tone, and a strong musical temperament, Mile. Lonie Basche's playing is indeed a success. Two other piano solos were played by this artist— (a) Liebestraum and La Campanella, both by Listz, and their finished performance was recognised by the audience, who insisted on further items. As an encore piece, Mdlle. Basehe played McDowell's "Shadow Dance." The accompaniments throughout the concert were most artistically played by Mile. Basehe. .

The second concert will be given tonight, and the third on Monday even