MARK HAMBOURG.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 336, 24 October 1908, Page 6

MARK HAMBOURG.

; The third of the series "of four recitals by 'Mark Hambourg, the 'eminent Russian pianist, was .given fit the Town Hall last evening, .before somewhat small, but very appreciative, audience. As at' his previous recitals, the pianist's programme' consisted of a' classic masterpiece . in a setting of minor gems from the groat composers. The. recital opened with -a. graceful by Ranieauj enriched by a series of variations" of great intricacy in technique. There was also a Chopin series—"Etudes in' E Minor, E Flat, and C Minor"; "Nocturne in G Major" ; "Mazurka in'A'Minor" and. "Ballade in A Flat"—a. Leschetizky "Tarantelle," an "Idyll" by J.' B.' Davis, and Liszt's sixth "Rhapsodie."- The major classic of the evening, and'one which merits special reference, was' Beethoven's' magnificent "Sonata Appassionata.',' Tho first movement of',!the.'Sonata, , the/"Allegro Assai;" opened quietly and expressively, the beautiful harmonies, full of emotional colour, , being given-, out; with a masterly .touch. Then came' the allegro proper, in ; startling contrast , to the tranquil opening, and the spirited movement, dramatically - developed, held tlje. audience spqllr.bound with. its fiery animation.. Finally the storm subsided a'little, and the stately "Andante Con. Moto" was, introduced, to give-place to the. fine . "Allegro ma non troppo," loading, . tempestuously, ,to the finale, a short but stormy "presto.'' Beethoven's music is peculiarly characteristic of his moods. It is volcanic, in a.sense; there is something of tragic,' grandeur in . his sonatas; their structural characteristics; reveal • also the. composer's: abhorrence- of the convential, for they are so ;far unconventional that the model laid down by Mozart, and accepted as a standard type, is to -some extent departed from. • lii. a. Mozart sonata each movement is formally introduced, like the rising: of the'curtain, at.tlio theatre; As a distinguished writer once remarked, the opening of each movement in a Mozart sonata suggests the presenting of arms by a body of troops. Beethoven sonatas are a compo-. site whole, the result;- of structural and, to a certain extent, thematic continuity. Mark Hambourg is a successful, interpreter of Beethoven, for his presentation suggests some temperamental afiinity between .the two. Of tho other'items,might be mentioned the charming " Idyll," already noted, by Davis, a young composer of some genius. This composition should, certainly.,be studied by .mu-sicians-.who wish to add a,dainty classic to their repertoire. The pianist'also-added, as an encore number ■ to the second series, a Chopin Prelude in F Major.' The recital this evening—the- filial of the series—will be, in at least one respect, a noteworthy event. The piece do resistance of tho programme is Beethoven's great Concerto in C Minor, in which the pianist will be associated with tho Wellington Orchestral Socioty (Mr. Alfred F. Hill). Tho Concerto consists of threo movements, tho second of which is of most intricate construction, making heavy demands upon. both pianist and orchestra. The opening of tho Concerto is a magnificent "tutti" movement.