JAN KUBELIK.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 212, 1 June 1908, Page 3

JAN KUBELIK.

<J-; , ' A SYDNEY''INTERVIEW. On his arrival in Sydney from Vancouver the other day, Kubelik, the famous violinist, chatted pleasantly_ to the Press representatives about his various attempts to visit Australia during the past six years. He had always wished to come, for should not an explorer .in music be naturally oager to investigate strange and beautiful regions ? .He was fond of travelling, and had given 28 concerts in England since last October, followed by 120 concerts in the United States (his third visit theft), from New York to Vancouver. As ho intended making 40 appearances in Australasia, he would put up a record of 188 in 11 months, and oven then lie would have to hasten to London to star with'an. orchestra conducted by Mr.' Landon Ronald. Indeed, he was finding the whole affair rather a trial of strength. " Nevare again I " remarked Mme.' Kubelik, who admitted that- sne was herself musical, and even played, the violin. 1 "Great talent," interjected the virtuoso, "but will not practise." Eveiryono smiled; and the Hungarian lady tactfully interpreted the general sontiment,. of thosej>resent.in the remark, "To be the wife of Kubelik is to make tho heart' rejoice, but when you begin to play yourself, thenj the heart is sad 1 A polite inquiry as to the 'health of the much-photographed children ' led to the discovery that tnoy wore, with their grandparents at Buda-Pesth. " "Wo have four," continued Mr. Kvl.elik, "but the-first two girls were issued under the same opus number ('Op. 1'), . t that,under the musical usage of all nations, our 'published compositions' have not yet passed 'Op. 3.' " "As to my student days in Prague? Well, I did not study arduously at the Conservatorium; for the simple reason that it took me an hour to walk there, and ail hour back, and, not being a strong boy, I was too tired. But I had' tho faculty of learning quickly, and just as I entered, Professor Sevcik returned after twenty years in Russia. Tho secret of his greatness is that with apt pupils he knows how to shorten the road to success. Ho always gets some result at every lesson." (Mr. Kubelik paused to road a congratulatory cablogram from Mr. John Prouse, Wellington, the Now Zealand baritone.) "Yes," he continued, "Mr. Prouse • supported mo on one of my English tours, and singer ho is, too, and ou another Mias Alice Hollander was. the solo vocalist, one of tho finest contralto voices I liavo heard. Miss Hollander was always telling us of the beauties of Sydney. "Famous orchestras I have played with? Well, almost too many to mention. Tho very finest are the Dresden Opera House orchestra, under Herr Schuch, the Berlin Philharmonic under Nikisch,. the Vienna (old) Philharmonic and the Opera House, the Colonnc and Chcvillard in Paris, tho Boston Symphony and tho Thomas , orchestras in America. I have appeared witli all theso many, many times, as well as with the London Philharmonic and London Symphony orchestras. If it were possible, I would certainly .play a concerto with some Sydnoy orchestra, but my stay in each city will be necessarily brief. To-morrow night's debut,, and Saturday's ro-appoaranco will quickly pass, and with tho Tuesday's matinoo my departure will be near at hand"; and the virtuoso, and his wife rose to prepare for tho reception in their honour tlw Lord MBiP*» •