A SUCCESSFUL NEW ZEALANDER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 13

A SUCCESSFUL NEW ZEALANDER.

The lifit of honours gained by New Zealand students in the older countries is by no means a email one. To this ever lengthening chain another link is added by Miss Louise Croucher, youngest daughter of the Mayor of Richmond. Since leaving the Nelson School of Music she has studied hard for three years at the Royal Conservatorjum of Music, Leipzig. The results of her violin "Pmfung" (or examination) in February and piano examination in March were both very gratifying. The press notices were very favourable. The Leipziger Zeitung, for instance, states that "Frl, Louise Croucher, of Richmond, N.Z., rendered Mendelssohn's E Minor Concerto for violin not only with a fine or delicate tone ('so tonrein'), but perfectly, note for note jn perfect tune, and her expression and interprs tation so natural," The Leipziger Taga blatt says: "In the first Prufung held on Friday, 16th February, at the Koniglichen Conjsprvatprium o f Music, Leipzig, the young violjnistin Frl, Louise : Croucher, of Richmond, N.Z., showed herself in ihe rendering of Mendeja sohn's E Minor Concerto (with orch.es tral accompaniment) tt thorough and finished student. She ppss&ssea also & fine tone." The same paper speaks in the following terms pf the piano teat in March; "Frl. Louise Croucher from Richmond, N.Z,, who passed as a violinist in the first Prufung, presented herself this time as a skilful pianistb Without doubt this young lady is musically very gifted. In her rendering of the 'lUavier 'Konzert yon Mozart' she showed much sureness ('sicherheit'), and to her brave technique and pretty touch is all praise due." The tribute of the Leipziger Zeitung n»ps as follows:—"Frl, Croucher, of Richmond N.Z. interpreted with clean technique, excellent taste marking her expression in the 'Klayier Konzert yon Mozart ' Especially in the 'Presto' her technical ability showed to great advantage," At both performances the young New Zealander was the recipient of some beautiful bouquets, the applause and congratulations being also of a must gratifying kind, It may be added that the Concerto was played from memory, and the orchestral accompaniment was under the baton of Prof. Hana Sitt. Miss Croucher, who remains another year in Germany, haa received and accepted an engagement (through the director and conductor) from the "Stadt Orchestra" of Breslau. During her stay in Breslau she will be the guest of Herr G. Handke, a former Principal of the Nelpon School of Music.