GERARDY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 18 July 1923, Page 7

GERARDY.

y. _ AX INSPIRING PERFORMANCE. The serious manner of Jean Gerardv on the platform is-very marked and it is a striking characteristic of the great ait st who last night thriJled, delighted and truly inspired his listeners with his wonderful playing. But it is the seriousness of a man who is rant in his work, for one feels that it is so as soon as he first draws his bow across the strings or the glorious instrument fibm which, he. draws tones so rich so rarely great, yet at will so limnid arid delicate I and sweet that the hearer is absolutely spellbound. Wonderful as were all the tones drawn from that instrument, none excelled m grandeur the deen low tones that sounded like the pipes "on a great organ. They were magnificent. And his powers of execution—truly they are of the highest order, and make one marrel to see that all is dore without, effort. The most rapid and thrhcult work appears child's play to" him, and this feature of his performance stands out in the memories of the evening, showing his wonderful art and technique. Ai:d above all one cannot put feel that in hi-s nlaying the artist is putting his heart and soul into everything he plays, with that infinite attention to detail and the finest points of expression which make for perfection, and which have been used to define t genius. The combination of infinite ati tention to detail, with broad expression ! and interpretation and the power to . draw from an instrument rich" tones of | marvellous fullness or of exquisite , sweetness, are the equipments of the truly great artist. And such is Gerardy. The: numbers chosen by him were such as enabled him to show his powers ■ to the full. The Variations Symphoni- ' ques of Boeliman are delightfully fresh ! and graceful in style, and full of . poetry. The player seemed to have the ! power to suit his playing to the idea* of the composer, and in this lay some: |of his charm. In all ife was perfectly ' ! natural and free from ostentation. The simple melody of the opening was developed in several variations, which served to show his powers of execution, and they con luded with a broad, dignified finale. The work was marked Iby wonderful gradations of tone, and was altogether delightful. ' The Sonata ;by Eoccherini was a most interesting ' performance. The instantaneous trani sitlon from the, rich, full tone to the i lightest and most delicate was a fea- . tur.e that was most marked. It was a glorious effort, and quite thrilled all , listeners. , The three selections bracketi cd. for the last number were a striking contrast in styles that would tax the powers of any but a great player. The broad, full tones of the rather sombre j aria of Bach were treated with a digi nity and seriousness that were ■ get^sr ijttinsr Tien irtthoul hesitation the,artist changed his mood' to the charm of the beautiful Evening Song of Schumann, in which successive variations in tone gave the greatest delight to the hearer, and anon he took up and played with a gay lightness the Papillon of Popper, seeming to flit as a fairy through the summer air—a perfect gem it was. The artist was greeted wjth an enthusiasm that increased as the evening proceeded. It culminated in a pen-feet storm of applause, which did not die down until, * after appearing several times, he returned, and to the •delight of everyone played four encores, i They were a Serenade, St. Saens' "Swan/ "Vito" by Popper, and Schu-' berts pretty "Cradle Song." Each was a delightful mvmber, and so pleased 'the listeners that they would fain have had even more. The other encores were a St. Saens' "Romance," Gavotte by Popper, and Tschaikowsky's pathetic "Chanson Triste." The artist's performance was one that will remain, in the thoughts of the hearers as long as musical recollection lasts with them. = Associated with M. Gerardy was Miss Essie Ackland, a contralto who combines with a most engaging naturalness andfreshness of style and an attractive ] personality a really fins voice of good | | range, with great depth and richness j \ ami good tipper notes. She sings with i a nice easy style and an absence of efj fort that were very pleasing to the listener. She has considerable temperament, and sings with very nice expression. Her singing of the rather sad "None but the lonely heart" of Tschaikowsky was marked by dramatic fervour . that was altogether convincing. She 1 was also very good in the well-known "Caro Mio Ben," and pleased her listeners so much that in response to continued applause after her second number Wallace's pretty song "Sweet and i Low," -bracketed with Schumann's "In , the Garden," she was recalled three times. She sang these both with a delightful expression of simple sweetness ' that was quite charming. She quite won the hearts of her audience. The pianist of the evening was Mr. G. S. McManus, a player of very considerable ability, with excellent technique and execution. He; played in . capital style Chopin's Polonaise in A . Major, Danse Caprice by Grieg, and the well-known Rachmaninoff Prelude. • In all he proved himself a musician who could interpret the ideas of the composer in effective style. He also proved a careful, sympathetic abcom- * panist, and to him the other perform--5 ers owe a great deal for his good work, "j The great cellist concluded the re- - cital with his_ wonderfully inspiring ; playing of the National" Anthem. It - was a fitting finale to a great performance..