THE MALLINSON SONG RECITALS'

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 170, 17 July 1908, Page 6

THE MALLINSON SONG RECITALS'

A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCE. The world-famous English song writer, Mr. Albert Mallinson, and his wife, the i popular Danish soprano, known to Auckland music lovers as Madame Anna Steinhauer Bahnson, gave their opening recital at the Choral Hall last night before a highly appreciative audience. Their performance was an exwsptional treat, and at the close of each solo the gifted musicians were heartily applauded, aad in several instances had to give a repetition of the music. It is not often that students and lovers of music have such i an opportunity a= now presents itself ; at these concerts to hear music per- ' formed in such a masterly way, in the ' manner the composer would have it done; for in Mr. Mallinson we have the composer of the mueic, who is also an i able organist, a capable pianist, and aejcompanist; and associated with him is ! a singer of exceptional gifts, who by temj perament is an artist, and by training j lan accomplished musician. The per- j I formanee of these tyro famou3 artists j was a series of delights, and everybody | left the hall charmed with what thoy had heard. Mr. Mallins-on's songe have now wide-world recognition, and justly <..->, for his music is admirably wedded to the poems he selects. His melodies are delightful, picturesque, dainty, a.nd dramatic by turns, and always suit the word.;, while his accompaniments are real luxuries; they are treated with rare delicacy, and many of them would make •beautiful pianoforte soios. Mrs. Mallinson seemed to put her full powers into all she had to do, yet it was so simply done, without any apparent effort, so natural and charming that her performances proved irresistible; Ino matter what the style of the solo, ■the gifted songstress entered into thp '. mood of it. and gave an appropriate and 'highly finished rendering of it; of special ! beauty was her singing of the children's j songs, while in so'os that required dra- ! matic force, she was always equal to the ! demands made. Mrs. Mallinson phrased I her music beautifully, and her absolute command of voice was shown by the delightful way she was able to modulate i into any degree oi expression sue wished; of special charm was her piani issimo singing, so soft and gentle, almost i inaudible, and of exceptional sweetness. ; Mrs. Mallinson was heard in 20 songs, I and had to repeat three: and at the conclusion of the concert appeared as fresh jas when she first sang. ?h.> gave with . freedomand power of voice th,-> uncommon song "Courage." and . c ang in a charming way the lovely setting of "To Mc At My ! Fifth-floor Window." The beautiful "Owr the Winter Eaves" was delivered with much expression, and the admirably i written song "A Birthday" received a fine rendering, the singer exhibiting her full powers in this solo to splendid advantage, -while the delicious accompaniment simply rippled from Mr. Mallinson's fingers. "Slow, Horses, Slow," a most effective composition, with a beautiful i piano-part, was charmingly rendered by songstress and accompanist, a.nd a delightful delivery was given of the lovely little song "Love's a Little Rosebud." Some admirable effects were secured by I Mrs. Mallinson in "Eleanore," and a ; splendid climax was reached at the end. I The singer's high notes rang out clearly jin the dramatic solo "Botschafc v.-nd Lied?' and her trilled notes wore of delightful timbre. The striking and effective composition "Four by the Clock" I was splendidly sung; the composer was I warmly ovated at its close, and repeat- ! edly bowed his acknowledgments. "Intra I Muros' , was a fine example of vocal art. It was rendered with breadth and force, i prery word wns mad? to tell, while of special beauty was the pianissimo singing of the last phrases "Alone in the Wood." a veritable gem. was beautifully sung and charmingiv accompanied. The two children's song?, "Bed in Summer' and "Baby," were delivered with childish simplicity, and so pleased the audience j that, a repeat was demanded. A descriptive reading was given of ''Daybreak.' , and much dramatic intensity was infused into thp rendering of " 'Twas in the Golden Time of Spring." A charming and highly interesting concert concluded with a bright and free delivery of "Gloriana." Mrs. Mallinson received a very warm welcome, and war, presented with several beautiful bouquets. Mr. Ma.llir.?on accompanied his wife in a delightful way; so beautiful was hi> phrasing, touch, and sympathy with th? singer, that the performance seemed to be as if only one executant was contributing the whole thing. Mr. William Robyns, who possesses a splendid bass voice, which he knows how to uso, sang with fine effect Schumann's "The Two Grenadiers" and Gould's ''The Curfew"; in the latter his low sustained X flat was of rich timbre, and he brought nut the ■ different changes admirably. Ho was | heartily recalled after each sol.i. Mi>= j R. Ku?smann contributed three violin ; solos with a good measure of success for so ynun"" a player, which were accom- ! panied E. Wyman. who also i played for Mr. Robyns. Next Saturday evening the second and last concert will be given, when students of music should I not fail to be present.