AMUSEMENTS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20334, 5 September 1931, Page 19

AMUSEMENTS.

I CIVIC THEATRE. ZLATKO BALOKOVIC. VIOL IK VIRTUOSO. 'llio Press of the world aro all moat enthusiastic about tlie performances of the iairious violia virtuoso, Zlatko Balokovic, who cones to the Civic for a series of concerts on Jiiesdny nost. Writing of his Sydney debut tho Sydney "Sunday Hun" btatod: Brilliant virtuosity, a worm eiiigin<; tone, and an a.lunng interpretative magnetism, were outstanding Jeatuvcs in the artistic make-up of iialoiiovic, the Slavonic violinist, who made his Australian deout at the Town Hall last night. It was tho tirst of a season of lour concerts, and tljo occasion was from every aspect a corapleto success. The programme was such that demanded tho highest technical and artistic exprosaional qualities, combined with mastery of stylo. Handel's feonata in G Minor is rarely heard on our concert platforms, and it is a, beautiful work. It has four movements, the first being Andante un poco lento," and to this miolwvio imparted much fegiing, the Joligbtful tone of the fiddle singing every bar with expression. The "Allegro," fresh in character, was also played perfectly; but in the Adagio" the violinist was quite emotional. It was played with deepest mennTif' <?? ii vast, y impressed his audience, lno Allegro, tempo di giga," was rhythmic unci buoyant throughout and full of the spirit of the jig. Of the whole programme, tlie supremo work was the Cesar Franck sonata for violin and piano, and it is no exaggeration to say that nothing finer ha 3 been heard in Sydney. The interpretation was great. The exquisite cantabile of the gro „ Moderato," the passion of the Allegro, and, altogether tho masterful reatment of the whole of this was an artistic triumph for both violinist and pianist—Kjell Fleetwood. Equal emotion and artistry were displayed in the "Kecitativolantasia. The playing of both artists hero of " 1B highest ideal in balance and vmpathy. Then came tho charming song " logl ' otto ' poco mosso," that sang so ardently ovet tho animated hut unobtrusive piano part. It was a pity that the af.plauae held the Sonata up after tho first movement but there was quite an ovation nere, and the players had juat to bow to the situation. There was another outburst of applause at the conclusion of the work. I agamni s "Concerto in D Major" was a wonderful display of every class of work for the player s clever bow and left hani. inere are melodic sections, but the piece pyrotechnics— stops of octavos, thirds tenths, abound, but they were facile Uir Balokovic. Less pretentious solos wero Kimsky-KoisekofT's "Hymn to the Sun," Kreifrior's "Tambourin Chinois," n, Brahms' \Vaitz, and Saraaate's "Gypsie Airs." The encores included a beautiful rendering of a new arrangement of the Londonderry Air. Baron Fleetwood plaved the accompaniments Wl *h artistic skill and perfect accord. The bos plans are rapid 17 filling at The Bristol. j