THE CHERNIAVSKY' TRIO

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 96, 20 October 1924, Page 3

THE CHERNIAVSKY' TRIO

CONCERT AT OPERA. HOUSE.

The piece de resistance of the programme presented by the. Cherniavky Brothers on- Saturday evening .was a delightful trio by Arensky.- -Chamber, music of this-class is too. seldom heard' in New Zealand^ and the delicate and sympathetic treatment of this opening item made one wish that they would devote a larger portion of the entertainment to trio work 'of .lasting musical value> This is hot intended as i derogatory to, their playing of the more;popular items which figured on - their, programme, for in everything their essayensemble or solo--there is the same high finish and artistici,musical sense. Doubtless- the Cherniavkys " have so designed their concerts as to offer something to satisfy all tastes, but New Zealand audiences have by this time been educated up to something of higher standard and musical worth than some' of the concluding trio numbers given on Saturday night. Much' as these were appreciated by a' mixed audience, the applause, at the conclusion of the-Arensky number was no less hearty or insistent. The opportunity rarely occurs of healing" three artists who are completely in accord, arid it seems .like wasted opportunity to' hear them in anything but the highest arid best. The Arensky trio is based on clearly-defined themes, of • two or. three bars''length; the treatment of each, and tho contrast between the four movements, fixes the interest throughout. This was music perfectly played. As solo items, the 'cellist, Mischel Cherniavsky, played artistically Rimsky-Korsakov's "Hymn to the Sun," Popper's "Spinning Wheel," Moszkowski's "Spanish Danee 8 " and other small pieces, while Jan, the lightfingered pianist'and accompanist, gave a satisfying Chopin . bracket—the. C Sharp Nocturne, three Preludes, including the so-called "Blacksmith," Polonaise in A Flat, the waltz in D Flat (played in octaves), and. the "Butterfly" study. Leo Cherniavsky displayed the finish of his technique in the florid difficulties o£ "The Devil's Trill" (Tartint —Kreisler), and as concert pieces played sympathetically Drdla's Serenade, and Kreisler i arrangement of a Mazurka by Chopin.. The final trio numbers were an Oriental Romance by Rjrnsky-Korsakoff. Norwegian Dance (Grieg), Barcarolle from "the Tales of Hoffmann," "By the Waters of Minnetonka," and Slav Dance (Dvorak), each specially arranged by the Cherniavskvs. The trio announce that they are now making their last New Zealand tour, for in future they proposes to give concerts in England and the United States, onlj'; . '. '■."•,'■