JASCHA HEIFETZ

Evening Star, Issue 19642, 23 August 1927, Page 3

JASCHA HEIFETZ

SECOND OF THE DUHEDIH CONCERTS Sumo of our people who attended both of Heifetz’s concerts think that lie was not in‘such supremo form last night as on Saturday. The great and beautiful tone that is his distinctive possession was only occasionally heard in the first part Perhaps ho was not using the same instrument. Moreover, it is. a reasonable inference from thodact Rita ho continuously tended tho pegs that the damp weather was affecting the strings. Such an occurrence docs not aid a violinist to#happiness. He played well, of course, but it is the first concert that will the longer remain in the memories of those who heard the two. It was getting uu for a quarter of an hour behind time when tlio big audi ence—full below and two-thirds of the circle occupied—saw Heifetz and his colleague Isidore Achrou. They commenced with Locatelli’s ‘ Sonata in F Minor,’ and next played the ‘Spanish Symphony ’by Lalo. These works are not well known hero. Of the two the symphony made tho deeper impression, particularly its schorzando, a dance measure that was treated with refined elegance; hut tho whole piece was much enjoyed, and the applause developed into a kind of slonowall. the audience demanding an encore and _ Heifetz gravely contenting himself with hows. Heifetz won, and was allowed to retire after four reappearances In the second part the slow movement by Bach that is popularly known as his iiir on the G string was one of the features. It, was arranged for the violin by Wilhelm.i. Then the_ rondo in D major by Schubert, and in this the artist seemed to he at his host. A daintv prelude h> - Debussy, ‘The Girl with the Flaxen Hair.’ v/as played with charming delicacy on the muted strings, and, an encore following, it was repeated. The short, and brilliant scherzo impromntn by Grieg (transcribed for the viobn by Joseph Achron) was rattled off in ’great stylo; and the last item on the programme. Sarasate’s < Gipsy Airs,’ delighted tho audience since it was plaved with honesty and decision, its hcw'hlcnncnls holdlv faced. The encores did not include the promised ‘Ave Maria ‘ by Schubert that some went expressly to hoar.