MUSIC LOVERS' DIARY

Evening Star, Issue 25849, 20 July 1946, Page 8

MUSIC LOVERS' DIARY

LIU KRAUS REFLECTIONS • Dunedin" music lovers. Have had a major experience, in the visit during the last week of Madame Lili Kraus. Perhaps they were somewhat sceptical about the tremendous enthusiasm which the Hungarian pianist's; visits to Auckland and Christchurch had engendered, but they were captivated quite as effectively once the series of recitals -began. After her departure; it is possible to take a coherent view of the experiences she offered, but it;*is scarcely possible to abate enthusiasm. No other artist who-has city has performed-such a wealtn of great music as Lili Kraus.- In four recitals before audiences arid 'tares purely broadcast recitals she made what might have been thought to be tremendous inroads into her repertoire, but it is interesting to note that there are not a few items unheard in Dunedin that are to be' performed ■in Wellington next week.. At' no tirrie does she lower her standards and descend to music tending to glorify only the performer. With Lili Kraus the music is always of.prime importance. Her interpretations are not K corivehmight even disagree, with her reading of some the performance is alyvays interesting the reason for her deviation from convention is usually apparent.. : . < ;.. .INTENSE AND SINCERE! i; . Those whose contact with,Lili Kra.ua was entirely through :the radio missed something/ They missed'" the 'sight of' an intense and sincere artist who 'gets right inside the music, baring (the mind of the composer, something of her own.' They missed' something of her vitality, her tremendous energy—features that were revealed astonishingly.: to : 'a 'Few. . individuals who saw and play a Beethoven concerto . and major works of Mozart 'and, Schubert. for, ■ four hands with.local players iar into, the night immediately after her; great effort at her public recital....'..-.' . ;'; ,■ Lili Kraus has set standards that others will find hard to emulate. T?ew' of. those who have preceded her, in, the last year or two could.now expect to; getbv with the kackrieyed .programmes . that have become so monotonous.. 'Lili • Kraus was billed with commendable restraint by. the National Broadcasting Service as" one of the-greatestof women pianists;" Some of. our other visitors of infinitely poorer calibre were ridiculously" boosted "'without justification If thev" come again they may find audiences harder to nlease. ' It is gratifying to know that Lili Kraus will return in a few months with a fine violinist and ■ later may tour with the National Orchestra. : Following are. the most interesting musical items scheduled for, broadcasting during the coming week:— To-night.—4YO. 9.0, mbdetn French music; ,10.1. Bach preludes; aud .fugues.. ; ■':,,...;;• -,;...- \ ,'; ' To-morrow.--4ZD, 11: a.rii;, works bv Hoist and Vaughani Williams, 4YA, 2.30, and: 3YA, 3.0.".. contemporary music. -4YA,; ; 8,0, .YJJasseijet.'s '.Manon.' ,'■ - , J,.' ■;''.';•,' ,w.v>v Monday. 4YA, '7.30,*' 'Bach'* , 'Brandenburg-' v No. ,<: '■& ; ■ 7;47,-. -MarJl; gherita ! Zelanda; 8.2, Professor Galway discusses Vivaldi - and violin ' concertos. 3YA,' 9.30,' Schubert's ' Death and the Maiden ' Quaritet - •-'•■"■ ::«««# ■h^.ii : iv:nMfi3^^'* ' Tuesday 8.0, .sonates; ,9.0, a chamber music. . ' • Wednesday. - British symphonic musid,"' including Elgar's "'Falstaff' and • Ireland's Piano Concerto; 9.0, French music. 3YA, 7.59, Haydn's ' London ' Symphony j 8.34, Mozart violin concerto. Thursday 4YA, 7.30, ballet, and operatic -programme"; 9.25, Mahler's 'Song of the'Earth.' , ' -, Friday 4YO. 7.45. ' H.M.S. Pinafore.' ' '