TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITAL

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 50, 28 February 1921, Page 3

TOWN HALL ORGAN RECITAL

Tho recital given by Mt. Bernard F. Page, City' Organist, at tho Town Hall on Saturday evening was a success from every point of viow. The audience was the largest oE this year's series, and showod marked enjoyment of' the programme, which wa.s well selected to please any listener of reasonable taste and musical intelligence. The two big numbers included are now co well known that they have become popular favourites, and three of the pieces were light enough to be readily appreciated oven by thoee who had not heard them before. The first item was Beethoven's melodious "Coriolan" overture, with its effective "notes of exclamation" heard at tlie beginning and repeated later. Tho effectiveness of a short . and very pleasing Fantaisie by IJunhill "(best known in Wellington as a visiting examiner) was enhanced by Mr. Page's fino registration. It was followed by the "grave, sweet melody" of Wolstonhohne'i Eomanza (encored), and, by a charming "miniature" and fantastic "Danse dcs Odalisques" by Rebikoff, the success of the latter in conjuring up visions of the Flowery Land being instant and convincing. Mr. Page is always groat in the Prelude to Act 1 of "Tristan and Isolde" (Wagner), and on Saturday he excelled himself, the dramatic effect of tho mighty climax being almost overwhelming. The second part of the recital was dovoted to Tchaikovsky, tho pieces played being the fine Elegy in G (substituted for tho longer Intermezzo shown in the programme) and tho Finale from the "Pathetic" Symphony, perhaps tho truest expression o£ undying sorrow in the whole literature of music, and ill this again Mr. Page's work was everything that could possibly be dcsiied. It. should bo noted th.at as tho hall is otheTwifio engaged, tiwre will be no further recitals until 19th March.