IGNACE PADEREWSKI.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 155, 4 July 1927, Page 11

IGNACE PADEREWSKI.

SECOND NOTABLE CONCERT. Before, a crowded Town Hall on Saturday evening, Ignace Jan Paderewski, the distinguished Polish pianist, gave his second concert. There was a large gathering, including a number of musical students and a noteworthy attendance of young people. Marked interest was taken in the performance, and the artist was acclaimed with joyous enthusiasm throughout. At the close of the programme the visitor was wildly cheered, and obliged to entertain his ardent patrons? with further displays of his genius. During the enthusiasm, a little maiden appeared on the platform and presented the artist with a posy, which was, gracefully accepted, the pianist rewarding the. giver with a kiss. This little episode was very ttmciiing and moved all hearts.". -f " ■ For over two hours Paderewski entertained his delighted listeners. He presented a gigantic programme of the best i in pianoforte literature, held the atten- ! tion of his audience, and kept them enthralled with his wonderful playing. He filled the auditorium with waves of glorious sound, and throughout the varied gradations of tone colour there was never a deviation from the refined and luscious tone secured from the vibrating wires of the instrument. From a single plastic rhythmical figure the . pianist creates entire images and paints them in delicate hues. He 'certainly ■ is a remarkable colonrist of the pianoforte. Padcrewski's scales arfe a luxury [ and in regard to taste in the use of j , dynamics, repose, and self possession, j it is debatable if he has an equal. Bach's celebrated G minor organ Fan- j ' tasia, and still greater Fugue, transuited for the pianoforte by Franz Liszt, received a noteworthy performance. The initial movement, which is a | remarkable specimen of contrapuntal skill, was laid bare in a manner definitely and precisely exhibiting its many parts, whilst the left hand clearly, decisively and with richness of tone empha- * sised the interesting pedal work. The Fugue was deftly handled, consistently displaying the intrinsic value of its rhythm, melodious character and classicDesign. Beethoven's Sonata, opus 27, No. ' 2, gave the soloist many opportunities to I exhibit his executive and interpretative ■ gifts. The reading was not academical

and executed according to a fixed standard, but was interpreted as the master considered- the • composer ■ intended, and extremely interesting the reading was. Delicately treated was the Adagio, its ebb and flow of sympathy, pathos and passion being mirrored with a cantabile touch of beauty aud refinement. The soft cadences of the subsequent Allegretto were calmly expressed, and prepared the listener for the stormy and energetic-phrases of 4h© third movement. Tire Presto Agitato, with its restless 9«<;cesstipn -of arpeggios, sudden siaccato haimonios . and cantabile music «rf- the minor-episode, were executed in a passionate and energetic style, and an agitated and moving rendering was .given. of the forcible triads and closing harmonies of the tinale. The artist was very heartily applauded at the conclusion of the Sonata. Very charmingly interpreted were the two Schubert Impromptus, Opus 142, in A and B flats. A graphic and descriptive performance was given of the SchubertLiszt "Erlkonig," and the "Standeheu" was executed with feathery lightness, the lyric mood was delicately conveyed, and the accompaniment made to always retain - .its - winged delicacy. Chopin's "Ballade O Mirror," "Nocturne D Flat,'" Etudes ' Nos. '5 " and '. 10, and "Valse A Flat." opus 34, were delivered in a style delightfully expressing the varied character of the music, and provided much musical thought for students of Chopin's works. The recitalist's exquisitely designed "Chant Du Voyageur,'" and his pupil Ernest Schelling's "Nocturne e Raguse —a work of much beauty and harmonised in a manner enhancing its melodic content—were both unfolded in cantabile tones, expressively picturing the charming creations. A bravura delivery of Liszt's Second Rhapsody won for the artist tremendous cheering, and the same composer's "La Campanella' and Paderewski's popular Minuet in G had to be performed before the audience parted with its idol. The final and concluding concert of the present tour takes place to-night, when the programme will be an all-Cbppin one. NEW ZEALAND HELPS IRELAND. Writing from Portadown, Ulster, "G.IJ. ? states: "Wiiile stopping in New Zealand jrot Pulmonns and tiiey did mo ?uc!i a lo of good. I have great faith in tli«m am. i ever since I get my friends to keep send- , ing . them to me." Try Pulmonas foi coughs, colds. l/'5 and 2/0. Chemists and stores.—(Ad).