BACKHAUS’ SUCCESSES

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 191, 2 August 1930, Page 8

BACKHAUS’ SUCCESSES

WORLD’S GREATEST PIANIST?

Wilhelm Backhaus the world-famed pianist wlio is at present touring the Dominion continues to draw large audiences, and in Christchurch the Municipal Concert Hall was full to capacity for three recitals, and he is to give a fourth recital on his return from Dunedin. Referring to Backhaus’s position amongst the great pianists of the day. the Otago “Daily Times’’ writes: “Samuel Langford, the veteran critic of the ‘Manchester Guardian,’ writing of a performance given bv Backhaus in Manchester in 1922, describes him as probably the greatest of all pianists now befotp the public. Every tnnsic-lovcr in the audience in the Town Hnll Concert Chamber last night will heartily endorse this deliberate and authoritative opinion. His playing silences criticisms and provokes only admiration and reverence. His technique is almost without equal in the world to-day. and vet. so much has he subordinated its outward and visible signs, so little does mere bravura enter into his playing, that last night’s audience, carried away liv the spell of this magician. Hinv not have realised that they were listening to one of the supreme wonders of human achievement. Not to have heard him is to proclaim oneself completely indifferent to musical culture. Ho is one of the great ones of the world, and we honour ourselves in honouring him.” Backhaus will give one recital in Hawke’s Bay. at tli» Municipal Theatre. Hastings; on Wednesday. August 20th.