SPIVAKOVSKY-KURTZ TRIO

Evening Star, Issue 22247, 27 January 1936, Page 12

SPIVAKOVSKY-KURTZ TRIO

THREE GIFTED INSTRUMENTALISTS DISTINCTIVE AND BRILLIANT RECITAL The first major event of the musical year was tho appearance of the justlycelebrated Spivakovsky-Kurtz trio in the Concert Chamber on Saturday evening. No season could have been more happily ushered in than by their brilliant and distinctive recital,, and it would have been unpardonable if. the audience had not shown the enthusiasm that it did. Their music was, as it always has been, a sheer delight to hear, both in solo and collaboration, and unquestionably constituted one of those vivid experiences that remain fresh in one’s memory through a musical lifetime. Since their previous visit to Dunedin these gifted and accomplished young men have, more recently, been winning wide encomiums in a radio tour, the arrangement of which, incidentally, exemplifies an appreciation of high responsibilities and rich opportunities on the part of the broadcasting authorities. But if the science of the transmission of sound has achieved absolute fidelity, the reality. of sight remains, after all, the essential factor in perfect enjoyment of music such as theirs, creating as it does such a vital intimacy of personal association. The music of Jascha and Tossy Spivakovsky and Edmund Kurtz must hold an irresistible appeal for everyone, no matter how slight his degree of artistic appreciation. It is a lamentable, fact that the average concertgoer simply will not realise that there is nothing intimidating or oppressive in such programmes as they offer, and that his suspicions of “ chamber music,” which are bred by ignorance, are quite groundless. But if anyone could succeed in eradicating that most exasperating apathy, it is this very remarkable trio. Each is a master of his instrument and a soloist of the highest attainments, and a full recital by any one of them would be an unalloyed delight. But it is as a trio that they score their most decisive success. Whatever they play together is distinguished at once by the absolute unity of thought and purpose that can only be born of long association, perfect understanding, and brilliant musicianship. They play in trio as on one instrument, and there can be no higher tribute to their artistry than to say that they do so without apparent physical effort. Their piece de resistance on Saturday evening was Mendelssohn’s glorious trio in D minor, and from the moment the smooth-flowing and beautiful melody of the first movement was taken up it was an enchanting representation oi one of the loveliest works in all musical literature. The tranquility of the alow movement was captivating, this in turn giving place to a dancing scherzo and a brilliant climax. The trio was vibrant with life, a masterpiece of coordination that brought a storm of applause. The conversations between the three instruments were most sensitively attuned, and each succeeding mood was brilliantly etched. This alone would have made the evening well . worth while, for it was an experience indelibly imprinted upon one’s memory. Edmund Kurtz was the first to appear as a soloist, his choice being the very exhausting violoncello Sonata in D major by Pietro Locateili. Kurtz produces from his lovely instrument that rare singing tone heard in the music of only the finest ’cellists, and has a superb technical equipment. Such technical mastery was very necessary in this Locateili sonata, for it is a work that would defy anyone but a master musician. Particularly arresting was his crisp staccato bowing in the first movement. The slow movement was exquisitely played, and its cadenzas were gracefully and vividly described. Kurtz is a ’cellist who sinks his whole individuality into the mood of his music, and his performance here again finely accentuated his deep scholarship and great artistry. Jascha Spivakovsky, that dynamic and commanding pianist, presented the Beethoven Rondo in G major and then the famous sonata in E flat. The rondo was cleanly and impeccably fingered, and offset very effectively the powerfully expressive sonata that followed. Jascha Spivakovsky is a pianist of immense power, power that is conveyed with rare discrimination, and plays with clear authority. The striking scenes of Beethoven represented in this sonata were drawn with a vital touch, and were developed to an exciting climax. As an encore Jascha Spivakovsky played a brilliant Mendelssohn scherzo with precision ■ and power. There was remarkable clarity and vitality in this exhilarating staccato study. The concert concluded with Tossy Spivakovsky’s group of solos. This young man is one of the great tonalists of the violin. Ilis music is always finely suggestive of silk and velvet, and that tone is invariably wholly preserved through the most complex technical displays. He opened this group with Mouret’s ' Sarabande,’ the haunting cadences of which held a charming appeal. The rearrangement by Kreisler of tho Tartini variations on a theme by Corelli was made an electrifying study, played with great facility and verve. Paul Juon’s 1 Arva ’ waltz was an airy and fanciful little sketch with a piquant climax. Very few violinists can produce the harmonics that distinguished this performance. Sir Edward Elgar’s ‘ La Capricieuse ’ was given a timely revival, and was delicately and gracefully played. Concluding the set group was one of the great show pieces in the repertoire of all famous violinists, Paganini’s ‘ Caprice.’ Paganini took a fiendish delight in devising such bewildering executive problems as are embodied in this very lively work, but Tossy Spivakovsky seemed to dispose of them with ridiculous ease. Recalled, tie played another vivid work, a Spanish dance by Sarasate'. The accompaniments to the violin and ’cello solos were finely played by Mr Noel Newson, who is obviously an exceptional young pianist. His music was deft, incisive, and highly sympathetic. , , • , Further recitals will be given to-night and to-morrow night. The work to be featured this evening is the Beethoven trio in B flat major, the performance of which should hold a vital interest Tossy Spivakovsky is to play the great Bach ‘ Chaconne,’ and Jascha Spivakovsky will present the famous Carnaval ’ suite by Schumann. Edmund Kurtz’s group of ’cello solos will include works by Faure, Cassado, Ravel, Lollonyi, and Vivaldi.