THE LEMARE RECITAL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12509, 23 May 1906, Page 8

THE LEMARE RECITAL.

A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE. (SPECIAL* TO "THE I'RESS.") WELLINGTON, May 22. Notwithstanding a boisterous and bitterly cold evening, some two thousand people assembled in tlio Town Hall this evening to hear the first of tho Lemaro organ recitals, and the audience was not in Any way disappointed, for the performance was certainly one of the greatest muiioal treats ever heard in New Zealand. Mr Lomare proved .himself a brilliant executant, and the large audience greeted each number with storms of applause. Tho recital opened with the bach Fugue that I mentioned in my teiegiam yeoteraay. It is not the most frequently played of the- groat composers works, but..it is one.ot the finest examples of his musical genius, displaying a great mastery or the reeouictes oi counterpoint aiwl a wonderful power of sustaining classic mueical periods to a. magniucent climax. Composed some two hundred and thirty yeare ago, it is still regarded by muiacians as one of the very finest pieces of organ music. The audience enjoyed Mi- Lemares playing of it thorougniy, and it wa6 at once evident that the celebrated organist could get a grip of his audience, and that his visit will do a great deal to popularise organ music in Wellington. Indeed, it is to be hoped now that the -success of the Wellington organ has been proved, that the other, cities will follow in tho same lines as the capital. . * ittr Lemare's second was an Intermezzo by Hollins—a charming work in lighter vein by a, well-known English composer." Added interest, was given to this number owing to the fact t-nat Mr Hollins is blind. He is at present the organist of S£; George's Free Oihureh, EdinOurgk end, I believe, visited New Zealand a year or two ago. Of the other numbers, the Mendokeohn ■Sonata No. 1, a Caprice and Madrigal of the performer's own composition, and Rossini s Overture to William Tell, were greatly appreciated. The William Tell Overture was a most brilliant piece of execution, the 'finale, as played by Mr Leinare, arousing the audienoe to the greatest enthusiasm. One cf the most interesting items was an "Improvisation,"' Mr Lomare asking his audience to send a theme or a few bars of music upon which he oould work. Several were sent in, and one or two selected, the experiment being as interesting as it was novel. Mr Lemare remarked to mc that when (he was in Pittsburg, musical members of his audiences often endeavoured to "catch" him, and many of tB«. themes handed to him wore exceedingly clever. Mr Lemare gives in all six recitals tiere, and already his visit is a financial success. Ho gets £300 for these recitals, end instead of his making money out of tho city corporation, it seems most likely that the city corporation will make money out of Mr Lemare.