BERNHARD WALTIIEES CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 12027, 25 July 1902, Page 6

BERNHARD WALTIIEES CONCERT.

The musical public assembled in large num* bers at the Choral Hall last night to welcome Bernhard Walther, the young Belgian vio-. linist, on the occasion of hia first concert,', and,- on recognising that it was an uncom- '. monly talented artiste whose acquaintance ". . they were thus forming, their welcome took on an enthusiasm which, to the average con-cert-goer, will have seemed but justly due to one of his brilliant powers. A notice of Bernhard Walther must almost of necessity '. have in it a strong element of appreciation. : He is one of those stars of the musical world who/ visiting us now and anon, keep within , our minds the gratifying fact that we are'not denied our share of the best that the world / of music has to offer. Probably it will be • some time before wo hear his like again, and in,the meantime we are well pleased indeed to have heard him now. The charm of his playing owes much to " his absolutely unassuming, even business-like, manner. He is a wonderful executant, a master of technique, and his,finish is superb. In accelerated passages his bowing is magnificent, his deft fingering and his masterly manipulation of the 1 bow battling description. At times this bow -'". 1 of his leaps at the strings with incredible > rapidity, emitting bar after bar of swift fol- , ' ? lowing notes, each true and clear in thef? ', harmonious effect, again it lingers on them with : caressing melodies resulting. Expres- ' sion, ■ sympathy, and wealth of tone are the \ I adjuncts of his playing, and his beautiful in- j strument is a very slave to his moods— weeps '■ r : with him, laughs with him, loves with him. Bernhard Walther placed himself upon a pinnacle of esteem last night.; He was'warmly * applauded on first appearing, and- as his numbers grew, so too grew his reward after that kind. His opening contribution was . '. Wiemawski's "Romance San Parole, et Rondo Elegant," in the two phases of which ho had fine opportunities of exemplifying his accomplished style. - The running cadenza (unaccompanied) was executed after the man- > ner_of a genius, and was followed by unrestrained applause. As an encore the violinist 1 gave an exquisite! rendering /of "The Last Rose of Summer," the muted strings effect introduced being delightful, and not unlike that which the vox humana stop imparts, to the stately organ. Bernhard Walther was. next heard in . Sarasate's " Romanza," in which his playing throbbed with the passioa of the music. This was, as was inevitable, V encored, when the artiste submitted "The Elves' Dance" (Bazzini), apiece dazzling in ' its velocity of tempo and requiring the master ..; ,; hand to interpret. In tliis he created something like a sensation, his fine playing of the harmonics and pizzicato movements being astonishingly clever. A double encore 'resulted,, m response to which the violinist gave an admirable rendering of Schubert's'delight- ' 1 fully melodious " Serenade." His final num- . bcr was Sarasate's > remarkable composition. Zigeunerweisen" (" Gipsy Thoughts"), in winch from the .sombre opening phrases. - > through the ruminative love-brenthing second movement, to the concluding wildne-s of the reckless dance-measure, he plaved with mar- ' ■ ■ vellous acumen and skill. Bernhard Walther played entirely from memory, and his performance was such as to stamp him as a ! great artiste. That his debut was a distinct success was patent to everybody. Tlio"«-|§f|p maining artistes contributed also very largely to the enjoyment of tho evening, the whole § H programme being highly tasteful. Miss Pippin Balhn, a Christchurch young lady, sang Haddock's "The Soul's Awakening," and as <■ an encore " Still as the Night." Her voice is a contralto of rarelv beautiful quality, ",. ) and with thorough training, particularly in the direction of articulation, should become :;: 'isM a voice to remember. Miss Gertrude Crowther,_ soprano, sang Cowen's "The Promise of Life," well, her mezzo voce notes being pleasant. The two young ladies namod were also heard in the duet " Nocturne" (Denza), for which they were encored. Miss Edith Mount Rogers, whose voice is a soprano of melting sweetness, soft toned and mellow, despite evident nervousness, gave charming renderings of Trotore's ballad "A Rose in . Heaven," and Balfe's " I'm a Merry Zingara," submitting as encores " Mignon" (Guy d'Hardclot) and " Kathleen Mavourncon." Quit 9 delightful items were the two string quartettes for violins and 'cello, " Adagio-Alle-Rro" (Schubert) and " Mtnuette" (Boccherini), ' beautifully ti-patpd by Dr. H. Cox, Herr L.,:fg j| Kroutzer, and Messrs. C. Kemp and C. B. . , Plummer. Both were appreciatively en- >V;■■■ cored. Messrs. S. and J. Jackson were also ■- encored for their oboe and clarionot duet ; from " Carmen." As aceompaii'V Mrs. 3. •Tockson acquitted herself splendidly despite her arduous duties. So richly was the con- ..;.■ cert enjoyed that we would fain look forward to another from the same artistes. Certainly • | Bernhard Walther will be heard again with ,r ' pleasure by musical Auckland. \ WS