A MEMORABLE VISIT

Evening Star, Issue 20556, 7 August 1930, Page 8

A MEMORABLE VISIT

BACKHAUS CONCLUDES BRILLIANT SEASON One of the really memorable events in the musical history of this mtv t£<> Backhaus season —concluded in the Town Hall last evening. The public of Dunedin had certainly become cognisant of the fact that there was a genius in our midst, and that this would be the last occasion, possibly for many years to come, on which the privilege of hearing him would be afforded. The Concert Chamber housed singularly appreciative audiences at the previous recitals, but on none of those occasions was there such a remarkably enthusiastic reception as was accorded Backhaus last night. It was a fitting tribute to this great pianist that such enthusiasm should be demonstrated, for he is unquestionably one of the commanding figures in the musical world. What is more to the point, he has given the public here something of inestimable value. Dunedin audiences are extremely conservative, but Backhaus cannot possibly leave without being impressed with their very sincere appreciation of his art. The spontaneous outburst that followed each item, and the ovation at the end of the recital, could not but express the fact that his visit has been memorable.

Each single item, and, im fact, each movement in the major works, brought storms of applause. The recitalist chose Bach to open his programme, playing the ‘ Fantasia in C Minor * and the ‘ Prelude and Fugue in F Major ’ from the * Well-tempered Clavichord.’ He then turned to the Beethoven sonatas, taking the F major (op. 10, No. 2) and the ‘ Appassionata ’ (op. 57). All his Beethoven has proved conclusively that Backhaus is a very distinguished exponent of that composer. One of the most interesting works of the programme was the Brahms variations amd Fugue on a theme by Handel. This was a monumental performance developed to a magnificent climax. The Chopin music was, as before, particularly delightful. Backhaus selected the brilliant ‘ Ballade in G Minor,’ the three studies in C major (op. 10, No. 1), E minor (op. 25, No. 5), and D flat major (0p.'25, No. 8), and the charming waltz in F major. As on the previous occasions, ho concluded with selections from Liszt, playing the fanciful ‘ Gnomes’ Dance ’ and the celebrated ‘ Hungarian Rhapsody.’ The performance of the Rhapsody capped the whole season. It is the type of music im which Backhaus excels, and nothing could have better exemplified his dynamic personality. For several minutes the applause was deafening, and then the recitalist came back, responding to popular appeal with exquisite interpretations of the Liszt 4 Liebestraum ’ and the Delibes-Dohnanyi ‘ Naila ’ waltz. Ft was a recital and a season to be romerabefed for a very long time. Backhaus has performed a musical service to this country, and we can only hope that he will feel disposed to visit us again and enrich our musical life with nis presence.