NOTES FOR WOMEN

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 201, 9 August 1927, Page 8

NOTES FOR WOMEN

BRILLIANT N.Z. PIANIST IN ENGLAND

In a letter received by the English mail last week written by a Hastings lady now in London comes news of a recital given by the New Zealand pianist Esther Fisher. This brilliant young performer had just given a successiul recital m the Wigmore Hall, and tile programme included the following items which will be of interest to local students of modern music:—(1) Organ Concerto No. 4 (Back-BoskofE); (2) Sonata in D. Minor (Galuppi); (3) “Fantasie Op. .17” (Schumann); (4) “Cortege” (first performance) Gerrard Williams; (5) “Ondine” by Ravel; (6) “La Danse de Puck” (Debussy); (7) “Fantasie Sonata,” (Roy Agnew; (8) “Nocturne in E Major” and Two Etudes by Chopin.

The writer of the letter says: “Esther received lots of lovely flowers which were piled high on the platform- There were many distinguished people present, especially did I notice Cyril Scott, the musician, and Roy Agnew who is an Australian composer. You will notice by the programme that sonata by the latter was played.” INTERESTING ADDRESS AT MOTHERS' UNION. The Mothers' Union- held a very successful meeting on Tuesday afternoon, some forty members being present. Rev. C. Mortimer-Jones briefly spoke to the members, introducing Miss Violet Russell, the visiting speaker for the afternoon. Mrs. Boshier, presiding associate of the Hastings branch, also welcomed Miss Russell, and expressed the pleasure of the members in having her with them. Miss Russell, who has had a great deal to do with immigration problems in England, gave a very bright and entertaining talk on some experiences she had in Canada when she helped two young girls from London to settle there. One girl married soon after arriving, and the marvellous way both this girl and her friend adapted themselves to primitive conditions of lite was told with much humorous illustration and graphic description by Miss Russell. Stores were available only once a year, potatoes were never seen, in fact no ordinary foods were procurable, leaving the settlers an almost unbearably monotonous diet. There were no telephones, no mails, and no proper transport. Miss Russell gave an interesting account of her own journey to this outlandish part of Canada, her audience listening with keen attention. The speaker said she had read some of her grandmothers’ letters on eariy New Zealand —Hawke’s Bay in particular- Various well known Hawke’s Bay people were mentioned in these letters and among other incidents recorded was the arrival of the parents of Mrs Stubbs (a member of the Union present at the meeting) and their subsequent marriage. Mrs Boshier thanked Miss Russell for her address, which was very heartily applauded by all present. Afternoon tea was handed round and Miss Russell chatted with the members who asked her many questions about her experiences.