MISS ELSIE HALL'S CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume LVII, Issue 23, 28 January 1899, Page 5

MISS ELSIE HALL'S CONCERT

The reputation which preceded Miss Elsie Hall, the talented young Australianborn pianiste did not exaggerate her artistic powers, and the audience that attended her first recital in Thomas's Hall last night was rewarded by a veritable musical treat. A little more than a year ago Miss Hall returned to the colonies from Europe, where she had been prosecuting her musical studies with marked success, aud had already gained high praise as a performer from competent judges. Since her return she has given recitals iv Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide, and a week or so ago she won the applause of Auckland musical circles. The impression Miss Hall made last night will gain her many admirers in this part of the world, aud they will watch her future career with keen interest. Throughout her performance the player was lost in the artist, and the personality of the musician never interfered with the development of the theme. Although her execution was of the highest order, it was not until' she rose from the piano that the audience could turn from the music to honour the accomplished musician. Miss Hall seemed to make music without any approach to effort, and while there was not the slightest suspicion of a slur, the unobtrusive strength displayed, especially in her finger-work, was quite beyond the ordiuary. Miss Hall was ably assisted in her recital by Mr. Mozar, whose sweet tenor voice was in excelleut form. After Mr. Mozar had opened with Ganz's " I Seek for Thee in Every Flower " Miss .Elsie Hall played as. her first item Schumann's varied and mirthful " Carnaval." In her treatment of this changeful and animated composition Miss Hall at once proved the accuracy and extent of her technical knowledge, and she was loudly applauded after .the closing chords. The most popular of her numbers was the Schubert-Liszfc " Serenade," as a recall to which she played Salaman's "Spanish Caprice." Perhaps the finest of all the numbers was the last — Liszt's " llhapsodie No. 14," although this was closely approached by Mendelssohn's Prelude and fugue in E minor, and Chopin's Variations iv B flat major, both magnificently played, and closely followed by all music-lovers in the audience. Mr. Mozar sang, in addition to his opening number, Cellier's "JSo Fare Thee Well," from "Doris," Sullivan's " Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," a repetition of the last part being demanded by the audience, and Blumeuthal's "An Evening Song." The vocalist was at his best iv the last of these numbers — the song seemed to suit him— and in response to prolonged applause he sang as an encore number "The Link Divine." Mrs. C. Gill made a sympathetic accompanist. The next of Miss Hall's recitals is to take place on Tuesday, the 31st inst., and the approval she has won from the musical authorities of Wellington should ensure a large audience. Last night unfortunately on more than one occasion the musio was spoilt for some of the audience by the loud talking of people who were Bitting in a part of the house where such interruptions are not generally expected.