Campoli’s Concerts Mean Incessant Travelling

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30146, 1 June 1963, Page 13

Campoli’s Concerts Mean Incessant Travelling

“If you are a concert player you have to keep travelling,” said the violinist, Alfredo Campoli, yesterday. “It's the only way.” He ought to know, having travelled 1,250,000 air miles in the lam 18 years to play in concert halls around the world. Since February, he has toured Germany, France. Italy and Greece. He left Spain last week to give two concerts at the Stirling Festival near Glasgow After his New Zealand concerts he has to rush back to England to play in the Cornwall Music Festival on Friday. “You get a bit tired of it,” he admitted, “but travelling is the only way for a concert player. It could affect my playing, but I don't let it When I am at home in London I work very hard in preparation for my tours. It is like a boxer in training." But Mr Campoli was quick to deny that he could ever get sick of the violin. "I tove my work,” he said, “and one of the greatest returns Is to see others deriving enjoyment from it.” To make sure they do, he practises regularly in his hotel rooms wherever he is, preferably a large room. "It is very difficult if there are sick people in the next room.” he added. “Because of that, I usually bring my mute Addle with me. It can be heard only up to two yards away ” The fiddle he has with him in New Zealand is an 1845 Joseph Rocca, valued at only £3OOO, compared with his £20.000 Stradivarius. Mr Campoli decided againsi bringing the “Strad" this time because he had to send it for repairs after his last visit to New Zealand in 1960. The humid weather of the tropics twisted the neck and two cracks later appeared in the top of the instrument "It was not irreparably damaged,” he said, "but it’s worth a lot of money. The [Rocca plays as well, if not better, than the Stradivarius

It is much more powerful and can rise above the orchestra better." Last evening. Mr Campoli was looking forward with great pleasure to a friendly game of bridge with Mr J. R. Wignail and some friends. “He's your foremost bridge player here and he's fixed up a very special match for me." said the violinist. “I play bridge wherever I am. and when I get home Til be playing for Middlesex against Essex in a big county match “ Mr Campoli came to New Zealand this time to play at the Auckland Festival, and will give only one concert in Christchurch, in the Civic Theatre tonight.