MR EMPSON'S RECITAL.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13104, 1 May 1908, Page 8

MR EMPSON'S RECITAL.

Mr Ernest Enipeon gave his first piano recital since bis ' return from Germany lost night at the Choral Hall. Mr Enipson evinced considerable brilliancy in his playing, ami ho has a fine Grm touch. One notable feature also vcas the entire absence of mannerisms. There- was at times, notably in some of the Chopin numbers, a slight touch op brustiueness in the interpretation of tho piano passages, and in the Polonaise in A flat there was hardly sufficient clearness of tone, tho passages running , somewhat into each other instead of standing out boldly and distinctly. Mr Empson, however, as a whole, is to be congratulated on his artistic success. In the Waidstein Sr.nata all the movements were excellently interpreted, particularly the final rondo. The Brahms Rhapsodic was finely played, as also was Liszt's "Sonnetto do Petrarca." - Chopin's 'Impromptu in A flat," played as an encore for the bracketted numbers at the end of the first part, and Chopin's "Valse t " played as an encore»to the, Polonaise, were notably Mr Empson's v best efforts. In these, partioularlv in tho valae, Mr Empeon was heard to very great advantage. Tho piano part of the duet with Mr Gladstone Bell wAs given with much artistic appreciation of the characteristics of the composition, and was admirably played throughout. In the_"Polonaise" there was an absenoo somewhat of the effects of light and shade. It was played with considerable brilliancy and power, and the Crescendo effects wore excellently interpreted, but the defect to which attention has been called, was noticeable in parts. Mrs Burns, who was in excellent voice, .sang a couple of bracketted songs in the first part well. <3he was particularly good in the second-part* in BevigiLani'e "Hush, My Little One.", and Mr Alfred Hill's "Pot Song," which was given as an encore. Mr Gladstone Bell played a lovely aria by Bach, with much breadth of tone and artistio effect. The "TaranteUe," by Cossmann, afforded Mr Bell an opportunity, of which he took full adva-nfc&ge,'' to display his great facility'of execution, and he was deservedly encored." In the duet with Mr Empsony Mr. Bell was ated excellent. Miss Katie 'Young accompanied effectively. .