THE GREATEST LIVING VIOLINIST.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18400, 5 June 1925, Page 9

THE GREATEST LIVING VIOLINIST.

to Tins i»rroa or "th* rsus." Sir,—At tho risk of being charged with impertinence, I venture to draw the attention of the public to the unique opportunity offered to this generation, by Kreisler's visit to Christehurch towards the end of nest week, to hear perfect music interpreted by one of tho greatest musicians and unquestionably the greatest living player of his own particular instrument. Since the death of Sarasate and the decline of Ysaye's powers, due to advancing age, there has been no violinist who holds so commanding a position in the world as Kreisler does to day. It would be difficult to point to a more prominent figure in the international world of art. A happy chame has made me familiar with most of the critical literature on violin music and playing of recent years, and there is no other artist who receives such unconditional homage from the severest critics as is given Kreisler, who charms not only by the case with which he obtains a sublime beauty of tone, but by his masterly interpretation of great music, appealing as strongly to tho unlearned as to the most cultured musician, and by his utter disregard of all the meretricious tricks which aro sometimes practised in the hope to win popularity. His concerts should be a powerful stimulus for many years to the progress of music hero. lie is now fully matured, not on tho mere verge of manhood, as so many of tho artists who have visited us of late: and even thoso who remember the visits of Remenyi and "Wilhelmj will agree that he easily stands supremo among violinists who have played here. I writo this in order that lovers of music may realise tho richness of their opportunity, and because in these days of commercialism and flamboyant advertisement, it is quite impossible for the great majority, removed so fnr as wo nro from the music centres of tho world, to discriminate between the very best and tho moderately good.—Yours, etc., J. HIGHT. Canterbury.College, Juno 4th, 1925.