THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Press, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5082, 21 December 1881, Page 3

THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

The programme submitted last night on the occasion of the Wilhelmj concert was full of gems, both vocal and instrumental, and the various items were most admirably and artistically rendered by those undertaking them. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Gordon, Miss Gordon and party were present, and there waß a: very excellent attendance in the dress circle. Throughout the performance it may be noted considerable annoyance was caused by the ringing of the Cathedral bells, which, however excellent in themselves, are scarcely suited as accompaniments either to a violin or piano solo or a song. .This annoyance has been felt more than once, but last night it was more than ordinarily irritating to have the finest passages of a solo by Herr Wilhelmj rendered totally inaudible by the clash of the bells. We can hear these at any time, but such an artist as Wilhelmj is heard but once in a lifetime. Therefore it is to be regretted, from a musical point of view, that the concert last night should have been marred somewhat by this untoward circumstance. In the first part of the programme Herr Wilhelmj repeated Mendelssohn's concerto, which was, it is needless to say, interpreted most artistically. It was enthusiastically encored, and in response Herr Wilhelmj played Schubert's " Abenlied." The opening piece of the Becond part was a scena cantata composed by the player,to the memory of Vieuxtemps. This also was encored, and in response Herr Wilhelmj gave a paraphrase of his own on Wagner's " Mei?tersinger." One of the greatest treats of the evening was, however, reserved till the last. This was Beethoven's celebrated " Kreotzer " sonata, played , by Herr Wilhelmj and Mr Vogrioh. 1 his was ] I indeed worth listening to, and both artists brought to its rendering not only a thorough ! conception of the ideal of the composer, but the | ability to reproduce it in a manner worthy of the composition. Miss Conron, as she has done throughout the season, sang splendidly. Her rendering of " Koberto tv che adoro," from "Boberto le Diable,"was a finished piece of vocalisation. In the second part she sang two charming songs by Schubert, "Adieu" and " Impatience," both pt which were excellently sung. In response to an encore, she gave Hntton's "To Anthea." Her next number was a quaintly pretty ballad by Molloy, "Dresden China," which drew forth loud plaudits and a redemand, to which Miss Conron responded by ringing that charming ballad, "The Snowy-breasted Pearl." Mr Vognoh opened the concert with Schumann's variations, and also gave in the first part a splendidly played polonaise, by Chopin, and his r ownim--'Botwff AflaEf." TChe latter piece was a perfect gem in its way. In the second part he gave four numbers by Schumann and took part most admirably with Herr Wilhelmj in the Ereutzer Sonata. To-night Herr Wilhelmj plays the chaconne by Bach, and " Aye Maria," by Schubert.