TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITAL

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 119, 16 November 1914, Page 2

TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITAL

Had it been widely known beforehand that another, and by no means the least noteworthy, of Wellington's musical mileposts was to have been passed on Saturday night, it cannot be doubted that the seating accommodation of our Great Town Hall would have been taxed to its utmost limit ; but _ although the recital was advertised the audience hardly numbered as many fifties as the hall would have held thousands. This is to be specially regretted, as the recital was, in fact, the finest ever given in Wellington. Of the items played on Saturday night there is not space to say much. The opening number was the Fantasia in C (Op. 16), and as registered and played it was a well of pure delight to the entranced audience, who, but for a misunderstanding As to when the end of the number had been reached, would infallibly have demanded a repetition. For unadulterated beauty nothing liner than this number has over been heard on a Wellington organ. The next item was the delightful Pastorale (Op. 19), with which Mr. Page had previously made ub acquainted, and the organist maintained the*, exalted standard set in his openihg number, the audience enthusiastically showing its ap preciation. The third selectiou was tin Prelude, Fugue, and Variation (Op. 18). which has been given at earlier recital? by Mr. Page. His rendering wan superb, and' carried the audience to siicb a pitch of excitement that, although the work is fairly lengthy, an encore was fervently appealed for. Instead, how* ever, of tiikmg tho request literally, the organist substituted a beautiful improvisation. It was a wonderful extempore utterance, and none who heard it but will deeply regret its ephemeral existence. The first part of the programme was closed with another number new to Wellington, tlie supeib "Piece Heroique," whose haunting hist subject and bold second theme serve as materials for a. glorious work that will, it is hoped, bo heard again many times at these recitals. The latter part of the programme com., prisod only two numbers^-the first an Andantino not previously heard in Wellington, and described in the programmenotes as of no importance, but which was nevertheless a gem of purest water; the (second a piece that will be indelibly associated with Mr. Page's name in the hearts of all true lovers of music in Wellington—the Finale in B-fla^ (Op. 21). which was played at his opening recital and has been repeated several times since. It is a veritable tour de force, from the colossal pedal passage with which it opens to the magnificently sonorous poean that brings it to a close. Its demands upon the organist's tech« nique are tremendous, but Mr. Page responded in a manner that covered him with glory.

Mr. Payne, M.P., in his speech laat week in. Auckland, said he found himself in a vortex of intrigue when he arrived at Wellington, and lie quoted alleged details in regard to the defection of several members to the Government Party, and he challenged the Government to appoint a commi«Bion. No member of the present Opposition had approached any Labour man with a view to/getting him. to change his vote. Referring to Huntly, Mr. Payne said the Minister for La» bour allowed the formation, of a bogus union, and the ,gae tests had not been made once a month. Thus the men had not full protection. Someone asked why Mr. Payne had changed front on tha three-fifths majority, Mr. Payne : If I did say I would support it, it does not make any difference. (Loud laughter.) The "Tory Party" had a very cunning scheme in that Bill, and I would not support it. I believe in State control. If there were one hundred votes and only eighty voted, they did not desire to see the issue carried by forty-one against forty votes. He would like to see compulsory voting. Mr. Mortimer moved, and Mr. Evane seconded, a vote of thanks and confidence. There was a lively interlude when the chairman refused to accept an amendment. Loud and continued applause followed a declaration from the audience that proper procedure required ah amendment to bo put before a motion. An amendment td the effect that Mr. Payne wa* not a fit and proper person to represent the electors, while thanking him for hi* address, evoked loud cheering and considerable hooting. ThU wa* ruled out ac being a direct hegative, and also because the mover was not a Grey Lynn elector. The motion was carried. Cheers and groans followed.