LECTURE-CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 35, 10 August 1921, Page 3

LECTURE-CONCERT

A Brahma lecture-concert was given in the Art Gallery last night by Mr. Robert Parker and assisting musicians. Johannes Brahms was born at Hamburg in 1833. His father was musical, and he himself, gave early evidence of musical gifts. He studied under Marxsen, who insisted upon his obtaining a thorough, grounding in the work of Bach and Beethoven. Until lie reached the age of 20 his life was uneventful, though before that time he had his three famous pianoforte sonatas. In 1855 ho met Bemenyi, the nomadic Hungarian violinist, who invited him to make a. tour. They gave a concert at Gottiiigen, and it was there that Brahms's wonderful performance in transposing offhand Kreutzar sonata, because the pianoforte was a semitone below pitch, attracted the attention of Joachim. The latter . gave Brahms a Setter to Schumann, who was so impressed with his work that, he wrote a eulogy which led at oncfc.to the publication of some of the Brahms compositions.

After some further period spent in diligent study, Brahms went to Vienna, where ho Jived quietly till the day of his death. Mr. Parker said that Brahms was usually styled the last of the classicist*. Even in his smaller works he made demands of, ns mean order upon his interpreter. His work was the logical development and continuation of that of his two great, predecessors. He stood beside Bach and Beethoven for the noble, dignified, and majestic qualities of his compositions. '»

The illustrations to the lecture included the sonata in G Minor for violin and piano, described by Mr. Parker as one of the very first works ever written for violin and piano. It was beautifully played by' Miss Ava Symons and Mrs. C. W. Hector. Miss Syinons, with Mr. Parksr, also gave a spirited interpretation of three of the Hungarian 'dances. Examples of pianoforte compositions were: A selection from the First Sonata (Mrs. Hector),' Scherzo (op. %' Intermezzi in B and 1 E Minor, and Ballade in G Minor (Miss Ethelwyn Kirk). There was a charmingl selection of Brahms songs, including " Lullaby," ".True Love," "The Sandman" (Miss Gladys Watkins), " Gracious and Kind art Thou," "Sapphic Ode," and "Sunday " (Mr. Erie Rish worth).

On. the conclusion of the concert Mr. Parker received a warm expression of ap : preciation from the audience. He himself, ex-pressed Ws gratitude ts the performers who had so ably assisted liim. in illustrating 1 the lectures.