TWO-PIANO RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 285, 28 August 1931, Page 2

TWO-PIANO RECITAL

Programme of Rare Numbers The varied musical activities of Wellington received a pleasurable addition by the recital for two pianos, given by Misses Nora Gray and Lalla Vondersloot, to a large and enthusiastic audience at Nimmo’s Hall, on Wednesday evening. These two brilliant pianists are already well-known as concerted, performers', and their programme of seldom-heard numbers further enhanced their reputations. Rachmaninoff’s imposing suite of four movements showed this grent Russian composer at his best. The stirring march, the Intriguing waltz with its rapid figures In thirds, the alluring romance, and the frenzied tarrantelle, gave the performers great opportunities ot displaying tiieir technical and tonal command. In the virile first movement ot Rubinstein's Concerto In D Minor, Miss Vondersloot showed fine abandon and an unusual octave technique. The first movement of the Concerto in C Sharp Milnor, by Sehytte, gave Miss Gray ample opportunity for showing her finely graduated touch. Liszt's Concerto Pathetlque has moments of beautiful melody, alternating with passages of great tragedy. This was given a splendid performance, showing both players to be thoroughly caught up in the tragic spirit of the work. The concluding number was a brilliant, arrangement for two pianos ot Schulz-Evler's transcription of the "Blue Danube” waltz. This number was played with fine appreciation of its gaiety and charm, and was most enthusiastically encored. Chabrler’s spirited “Spanish Rhapsody” was given as an encore. Miss Mollie Fenton, an artistic contralto, was the assisting vocalist. Her first group included Brahms’ lovely "Sappic Ode.” sung with fine feeling, "Spin, Spin.” by Jungst, and “The First Primrose," by Grieg. The second group contained "The Virgin’s Slumber Song,” by Reger, sung with great sweetness, the sensitive "Silver,” by, Hutchenson, the dainty "Snowdrop” (Stanford), and song of rare beauty by Respighi, “Nebble” (mists). Mr. Gordon Short accompanied the songs and concertos with fine artistry.