PHIL HARGRAVE, BOY PIANIST.

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 106, 1 November 1934, Page 15

PHIL HARGRAVE, BOY PIANIST.

There, was a big demand for-seats ■when • | the Tjox plans were opened yesterday at the Bll.C.'for, the four recitals to he presented by the twelve-year-old pianist Philip Hargrave at the Grand Opera House on Saturday, Tuesday, ■ Thursday, and Sat- ■ urday, November 10. The concerts are being presented' under the direction - of Messrs. J. and N. Tait. Philip Hargrave achieved a sensational triumph when he presented liis first recital in Australia, and his success increased with/ each _ subsequent recital. Responsible critics and. prominent musicians as well as the pub-' lie at large joined in the chorus of praises,, and young Philip was' universally ■ ac-»i claimed- "the musical sensation of Aus* tralia," for whom is predicted a world, career amongst the greatest musicians: o£ the day. Nothing within ■ meniorjvit is stated, can compare with the enthusiasm; which surrounded his appearances in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and' Brisbane,- ■> before packed audiences, creating an absolute furore. At the age of five and a half:years .this unique child was brought to.Miss Henrietta Garnaut, of Adelaide. After a fortnight's lessons Miss Garnaut, ifc is stated, declared: , "I- have found : a genius." At seven years he was playing •Beethoven's. "Moonlight" sonata, without nrasic. At the age of nine Philip _ accomplished the, amazing feat of winning the three-years scholarship awarded for tha most.promising candidate in the Grades'lli' and I of the. public mus.ic-. examinations.. The Adelaide "Advertiser," commenting on this, stated that the examiners were astonished—Philip Hargrave, at the age ofi. nine years, had gained a, scholarship the entrants for which are usually between the age'of 16 and 20 years. Since his early* recitals' Philip Hargrave has considerably, added to-his already comprehensive repertoire, which comprises Bach, Beethoven^ Mozart, Chopin, Haydn, Liszt, and manyother giants' of the piano. Philip Hargrave's, Auckland concerts, proved a great . success. At his final recital' there tha theatre waa packed to capacity.