MASTER PIANIST

Evening Star, Issue 23726, 6 November 1940, Page 2

MASTER PIANIST

IGNAZ FBIEDMAN EH DUNEDIN Dunedin, reputedly a musical centre and one which has produced pianists who have won distinction in other countries, should welcome the opportunity of hearing one of the world’s recognised masters ot the piano, Signor ignaz Friedman, who has come to this city to give a recital in the Town Hall Concert Chamber to-morrow night in aid of the Otago Patriotic Fund. Signor Friedman is a Pole, and, like all his countrymen, has been deprived by the invading enemy of the control of his wealth and estates. “1 am one of those people,” lie told an interviewer, “ who are rich without money. Much rather would I be poor with some money.” He had planned to retire eight years ago, when ho was 50 years of age, hut wars came, and so Ignaz Friedman is “ still playing the piano.” There can be no question regarding Signor Friedman’s position in the musical world, nor of his genius as a pianist. His lather, who was a violinist and also a pianist, gave his son his first lessons, but later he was taken in hand by that great master teacher, Theodor Lcsclietizky, who numbers among his pupils Paderewski, Hamhourg, and Moiseiwitch. It is said of Leschctizky that he was so impressed with the qualities of his new pupil that, knowing that the young Pole was not possesed of a great deal of money, he taught him for nothing; and fop five years Friedman acted as the groat man’s chief assistant. Hut Ignaz Friedman’s real career began in 1904, when ho toured the Continent and gathered laurels wherever he appeared. He played at the French, English, Spanish, and Rumanian Courts, as well as before Tsar Nicholas IT. and the Emperor Francis Joseph. 11c tells of one experience he had when he was invited to play for the Sultan Abdul Hamid, who like many_ other Oriental potentates possessed his own private theatre Friedman played before the Sultan, and, incidentally, was also listened to by the ladies of the harem, who, however, were hidden behind lattices in the gallery. After the recital the Sultan said to the pianist- “ Tell me. Signor Friedman, is it not difficult fo play the piano as well as you do?” To which Ignaz Friedman replied- “ I am convinced, your Highness. that it is much easier than ruling the Orient ” “ Perhaps you are right,” remarked the Sultan. Sienor Krorlrmn has a gracious personalitv. and lie loves the music of the romantic and clarsical periods; the music,of Beethoven, Brahms. Chopin. The programme to-morrow night should bo one from which our . local music lovers will receive insnirat'nn and which should cl olio-fit even those whose technical knowledge of the art may not he perfect. Ri"rnr Friedman will give only one recital in Dunedin.