MOISEIWITSCH

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 122, 25 May 1928, Page 5

MOISEIWITSCH

AN IMPRESSIVE RECITAL Beethoven,- Chopin, and Liszt —these occupied the chief places in the programme of the recital given at the Town Hall last night by M. Beuno Moiseiwitseh, and typical examples of the work of Scriabiue, I'almgi'cn, Stravinsky, and Debussy came between. Notwithstanding _the wintry character of the night; with its wind and its rain, tlie audience was large and responsive, and appeared to fully appreciate , the superb art and profound knowledge of M. Moiseiwitseh, and abundant reason for this was given before the night was out. The compilation' o£ the programme was such as to make the widest possible appeal, for it contained a fairly large percentage of numbers with which most music-ally-inclined people, arc familiar,, but wliiclr, nevertheless, afford - the performer ample opportunity for self-expression, interpretive ability, and. display of technique. M. MoiseiwitsUi opened with Schubert's wellknown, not to say hackneyed, Impromptu in A Flat. -It was played with rare delicacy, and, in the variations on the simple theme, with brilliancy. Followed a thoroughly correct and highly intellectual rendering of the "Appassionata" sonata' of Beethoven. The great work of the recital was Liszt's "Tannhauser," a stupendous effort, and probably one' made unforgettable by all who. heard it. . This number came at the end, and' reference to its performance is made hereurider. By way of contrast to the solitary selection from Beethoven came in order Debussy's "La Cathcdrale Engloutie," given With considerable graphic power and invested with an appropriate air of mystery. The audience was ,so delighted with the Etude in F Sharp Major of Stravinsky as M, Moiseiwitsch played it that it called for more'and more, and was not appeased until this number was repeated. The lullaby-of. l'ahngreny "La Joiigleusc^' jjf..Mosskowski, and the celebrated Nocturne, of Scriabine (for the left hand) succeeded the Stravinsky study, and all three proved.greatly to the liking of the audience. Then .came Chopin T-tliu Vajsc iv O Flat, the■ Nocturne in ¥ Sharp Minor, and the Ballade in A Flat, followed by studies,-given as extras. Their performance further proved M. Moiseiwitseh to be an outstanding interpreter of Chopin. Last on the programme came the triumph of the evening in the abovementioned Liszt transcription of the ovei> ture to "TannhauserI.'' This impressive homage to Wagner, however, is never permitted at any part of it to obscure the genius Of Liszt. Up to this number the audience had expressed its appreciation of M. Moiseiwitsch's performance in genuinely hearty yet decorus applause, but on the conclusion of the thrilling "Tanuhauser" '.number1 it. let (itself go. It was right ill insisting on recalling'M. Moiseiwitseh to let him. kijow how-, highly it thought of this magnificent performance,' but not quite reasonable to demand something more after such an effort. But he played again (no matter what) and played it in a plaoutoiy mood, as it seemed. In the programme'for the second recital on Saturday night, there is a good representation of Chopin on the list, to mention a few of the selected works—l''autasie Impromptu, Ballade in G Minor, and the famous etudes known as Butterfly (in tr Flat Major, Op. 25); Black Keys (in G Flat Major, Op. 10, No. 5); Haindrop (Prelude in D Flat Major, Op. 28); and the Etude in E Major, Op. JO, No. 3. Mendelssohn is represented by Rondo Capriccioso; Beethoven by his beautiful Moonlight Sonata in C Sharp Minor. I'rokolielf has a place, tod, with Suggestions - Diaboliijues; and Liadoff's La Tabatieie (The Music Box). The famous Licbestrauni of Liszt is down for expression, and the Marche Militaire of Schubcrt-Tausig transcription. For the first time in New Zealand, Fairy Tale in E' Minor (Medtner). will be played, and it will be seen that there is ample material for the art of, Moiseiwitseh to be displayed. For tomorrow's concert there will be day pales of 5s and ;Ss tickets at Ned' Perry's, Man-' ners street. ■ '