PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXXI, Issue 10257, 27 January 1894, Page 6

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Mr William Leech, and Miss Alyce Leech, who were assisted by some of the bast talent of Christchurch, introduced themselves to a Christchurch audience last evening, at the Oddfellows’Hall. A nicely selected programme of pieces, by wellchosen composers, was put before the assemblage, and fully appreciated. Mr Leech, as a pianoforte player, will be an acquisition to the ranks of musical talent here, and, though not powerful, ho plays with refinement aud feeling. Miss Leech, who is endowed with a mezzo-soprano voice of sweetness and some power, will be heard with pleasure, and, we are glad to notice, sang bar songs without reference to a copy of the music. The concert was opened by Miss Leech and Mr F. Woodhouse with Mendelssohn’s duet “ Greeting.” It was very nicely and feelingly rendered by the two singers. Mr Millar followed with Mascheroni’s fine song “Mia Vita,” and gave a powerful interpretation of it, Mr Leech chose for his first item a " Polonaise ” of Chopin, and produced a good impression, by qualities which will compare well with most of our players here. In the piece in question a tendency was shown in one or two places to rush passages, and a little want of delicacy of handling betrayed itself, though on the whole a very nice rendering was given. For his second exhibition some movements from the “ Sonata Pathetique” (Beethoven) were chosen. • The allegro movements might-have had a trifle more brightness infused into them, though they were played with good attention to light and shade; the grave movement was - broadly and smoothly given. As showing hia capability in another genre of music the player chose for an encore Greig’s “ Bridal Procession” and gave a very good interpretation of the northern character of the muflin. "We are not sure of the suitability of the'“Marche Funfcbre,” by Chopin, 'which Mr Leech put before the audience in the second part, as a concert piece. It was played down to'the slow deliberateness with which it ought to be taken, and perhaps this was the player’s beat effort. Miss Leech gave OowenV song “The Better- Land” with feeling, and taste, though the accompaniment was hardly, as subdued as it ought to have been. Both ibis song and “Will he Come P” by Sullivan, in the second part, were very mealy sung. The voice haa in no way been spoilt, and shows promise of power and development, and is sweet to listen to. Of Miss Bell s two songs the first. “ When in the Earl/ Morn,” was perhaps her better number. Mr Weir was in good voice in “ The Sun was Setting,” and gave it with much expression, though. we hopo be will not allow a tendency to quaver sometimes run awav with him. Mr Millar treated the public to a good eoag in “ The Diver,” and got down to the low final notes firmly and solidly. Mr Woodhouae’s refined and trained voice was heard to advantage in Blnmenthal’u “ Her Name,” though, perhaps, he might have been a little more impassioned ac the climax. The accompaniments throughout were nicely played by Mrs Edgar.