MISS MAIDA HOOKER.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 August 1924, Page 4

MISS MAIDA HOOKER.

RECITAL AT TIMARU. Miss Maida Hooker gave a most successful recital at Timaru this week. The Timaru Herald writes as follows of her performance: —Miss Hooker is a graceful exponent of the art of the pianoforte. Without any suspicion of pose, she virtually absorbed and transferred to her audience the varying moods and passions of the masters. With a receptive audience, it is needless to state that the artist’s work met with approval. The pianist opened with four bracketed numbers by Bach, the “Gavotte from Violin Sonata” (Bach-Saint Saens), “Prelude in B Flat,” “Gavotte and Musette in D Minor,” and “Gigue in G, ’ each of varying style and calling for careful' treatment, which was accorded with the apparent easy technique possible only to the assured artist. Chopin’s “Ballade in G Minor,” the next number, showed the artist to' possess a fine appreciation of the nib'ato effect in the opening passages. This number, perhaps her biggest effort on the programme, with its magnificent fortissimo conclusion in descending octaves, was in itself sufficient indication of Miss Hooker’s artistry. The enthusiastic applause that followed necessitated an extra, number, and a short, waltz by Brahms was contributed. The next bracket included a dainty rendering of “Fairy Tale.” by Medtner. the very expressive “Nocturne No. 2,” by Chopin, “Rhapsody in 0 Major” (Dohnanyi), and Debussy’s entrancing “Gardens in the Rain.” The success of all four numbers was apparent in the two extras insistently demanded, and graciously conceded: “Dusk,” and a waltz by Brahms. This success was followed up in the treatment accorded to Schumann’s “Kriesleriana.” and the “C'apriceio, B Minor/’ and “Ballade in G Minor,” by Brahms. The “Capriccio,” a lighter number, and the latter in direct contrast, with bold decisive chords, were exceptionally well rendered, and a double encore was accorded. The final listed item proved to be Liszt’s “Rhapsody, No. 10,” which as usual with Liszt’s almost diabolical skill in arrangement, calls for unusual technique in order to portray the delicacy and decision required in the bell-like melodies that precede the havier climax. In response to a further demand the strong and dignified “Prelude in G Minor” by Rachmaninoff was artistically played. Still unsatisfied, one more number was insisted upon, and another of Brahms’ waltzes was gracefully conceded. Supporting the pianist, Mrs. W. I. Tait contributed to the artistic merit of the recital with carefully chosen numbers, lhe entire programme was accorded a splendid reception, which should prove a big encouragement to other artists to hold recitals in Timaru. During the performance further tributes to the gifted young pianist were expressed in the handing to Miss Hooker of numerous floral gifts. The National Anthem concluded an entertainment of the sort only too rare.