BOY PIANIST

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 13

BOY PIANIST

Philip Hargrave’s Great Attainments RECORD CONCERT TOURS No stranger could be expected to see in a quiet-mannered, sturdy boy of 12, who arrived at Wellington yesterday, any spark of the genius for pianoforte playing, which, if one is to believe the Australian musical critics, lie undoubtedly possesses in abundance. He was Philip Hargrave, whose recitals are reported to have everywhere commanded record-breaking attendances. and been the cause of enthusiasm which would be remarkable if evoked by some world-famous virtuoso. and is. in tlie case of a pianist, so young, .finite, unprecedented. Philip is accompanied on ids concert tour of New Zealand by . bis teacher, Madam 11. Garuaut. who in an interview witli a “Dominion” reporter yesterday gave some details of his career. Tlie boy himself broke into the conversation only when the subject of sport came up. He then mentioned his liking for tenuis, cricket, and football, though his tours bad given him little opportunity for active participation in the last two.

His pianoforte studies began at tlie age of five and a half, said Madam Garuaut, and he made such phenomenal progress Mint when seven years old he won a 12 months scholarship at Adelaide, gaining 90 per cent, in tlie examination. This feat he repeated in a higher grade in the following year, when he gained the same number of marks. At. tlie age of nine he entered for the scholarships in the two highest grades, and won them both against comnetition from students of ages from 17 to 21. Such a performance as this had never been known in Australia before, Madam added.

These successes, however, were not allowed to interfere witli Philip’s studies, and the only occasions on which lie played outside tlie studio were at three afternoon receptions at Government House. The next year, when he was ten years old. he gave his first public performance at the Adelaide Town Hall, and the following year, at his first full recital, did something that had not been accomplished for 15 years—packed out tlie liall half an hour before the concert was due to start. Tlie public demand to hear him was so great that two extra concerts were given, and at each of them the same thing occurred. It was then that the firm of J. and N. Tait became associated with him, and the result was in the nature of a triumphal procession through the eastern Australian cities. Attendance records set up 'by such great stars as Melba, John McCormack, and Galli Cure! were -broken.

“Piano playing seems natural to Philip.,” Madam Garuaut said. "He docs two hours practice a day, and accomplishes more than the average talented person could do witli four times that amount. What is more, he lias a wonderful memory—-absolutely photographic. He lias only to play a work through a few times and he has it in his mind for good.” After the present tour. Madam Garnaut said, she ami Philip would return to Adelaide. Tours of South Africa and South America would follow, and next year the boy was to make his debut at the Albert Hall, London. A teacher would then have to be found for him in Europe, but so far nothing had been done about that. For a boy with such a future before him, it was a question that needed the fullest possible consideration.