PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 46, 18 November 1936, Page 5

PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Miss Dorothy Downing’s Success Before a good audience iu Nimmo's concert hall last evening, Mrs. Ethel Mackay presented. Miss Dorothy Downing in a very successful pianoforte' recital. Miss Downing, who has not yet attained her majority, proved herself mistress of her instrument, and there is no doubt that she should reach a high peak in the art as she gains experience. Miss Downing played 12 selections, of wide variety, using the score for three of them. Her fingerwork and general technique were excellent, while her interpretations were delightful in their naturalness. All the items were good, but special mention must be made of Mendelssohn's Fantasia in F Sharp Minor, whose difficulties disappeared in Miss Downing's flowing reading. Another selection which called for brilliant technique was “The Arkansas Traveller,” a fast-moving composition by Guion. As a contrast to this, Miss Downing’s presentation of Schumann’s sweet “Romance” was charming in its smooth and feeling interpretation. By the variety of her items, Miss Downing proved herself not only capable but also versatile, and each item was played with a distinct and true feeling. At the conclusion of the performance she was presented -With beautiful bouquets and baskets of flowers. Tile programme was as follows: Fugue in F Sharp Minor (Handel) ; Andante Favor! (Beethoven); Waltz in E Minor, Ballade in A Flat, and Impromptu in F Sharp (Chopin) ; Fantasia in F Sharp Minor (Mendelssohn) ; “Romance” and

“Aufschwung” (Schumann) ; Intermezzo, Op. 118. No. 2, and Rhapsody in G Minor (Brahms) ; “Reflets Dans I’Eau’’ (Debussy) ; “The White Peacock” (Griffes) ; “Music Box” (Friedman) ; “The Arkansas Traveller” and “Sheep and Goat” (Guion) ; Prelude in G Minor (Rachmaninoff) ; and “Spoon River” (Percy Grainger), the latter being an encore number.