PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Evening Star, Issue 12068, 14 December 1903, Page 7

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

The invitations issued by Miss Hotop and her pupils brought a large party of ladies to the Victoria Hall on Saturday afternoon, and the hour and a-half to whick the programme was judiciously measured off passed away pleasantly in listening to nine pianoforte performances by Miss Hotop’s pupils, relieved by the singing of Miss Shand and a violin solo contributed by Miss Conghtrey. An audience largely composed of mothers and sisters who have themselves passed through the tuition stage, and keep up their ear practice by being day after day in the company of the younger relatives who are in" the pupil period, is by no means easy to please. Fumbled fingering and clumsiness of touch must b© at once detected, and a slovenly style is sure to bring reflections on the teacher. Miss Hotop may therefore be congratulated on the fact that the audience paid attention to the performances right through, showing that they were ii\terested. and there is reason to suppose that the confidential interchange of opinions, as well as the remarks intended to be heard, were of a complimentary character. Miss Hotop is evidently a careful and skilful teacher. Proof of this was forthcoming in the thoroughness with which the performing pupils had been prepared. Every piece presented was played with sureness and some degree of taste, according to individual proficiency. The girls who came forward for the occasion wore Miss K. Fels, Miss M. Hotop, Miss B. Fergus, Miss I). Fergus, Miss K. Sinclnir-Thomsou. Miss E. Fels, and Miss if. Hart, and the music chosen was from such masters .as Beethoven, Lizst, Chopin, Mozart, Brahms, and Grieg. The performances of course revealed varying degrees of meric, but in all there was an observance of theme and style. Miss Shand selected two very pretty songs, one by Mrs Batten, the other by Nevin, and sang them most tastefully; and the violin solo by Miss Coughtrcy, who used a new violin just imported from Italy for the rendering of a. caprice de concert, by Musin, may be accepted as an unqualified success. Miss Coughtrcy is developing her tone and acquiring unusual power with the left hand, and we have no doubt whatever that in the near future, if this young lady continues studying, she will become one of the best of our New Zealand violinists.