KUBELIK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13783, 23 June 1908, Page 6

KUBELIK.

A BRILLIANT TRIUMPH.

THE OPENING CONCERT.

The'expectant-hopes of music lovers for weeks and months past ,in connection with the long-promised visit to New Zealand", of Jan Kubelik, (he famous . Bohemian violinist, saw fruition at the Royal Albert Hall last evening, when the opening conceit was given. As was to .be expected, (he attendance 'ma'.large and enthusiastic to a degree. Naturally the audience anticipated something, unusual as regards violin playing, but it is to be questioned whether many were entirely prepared for the exposition of musical skill which. awaited them. ■ Kubelik's position in the musical art world is unquestionable, and the many who attended last evening's performance will doubtless regard it as a red-letter occasion. The tone Kubelik produces from his Guarnerins is of surprising mellowness and purity of intonation, and the resonant quality of the G string in all bis numbers is to be specially remarked. All tone grades are managed with consummate ease, his fortissimos are never of metallic harshness, while his softest shades of tone are graded down to a mere thread of sound. The player's technical skill is remarkable, at times producing a bewildering impression upon his auditors. One moment a torrent of chords crashes from the strings, the next a filmy wisp of double harmonics pervades the auditorium. Or, ' perchance, it is a shimmering cascade of chromatics which dazzles and delights the ear, only to be supplemented by a wonderful exhibition of staccato bowing, or finger dexterity in pizzicato phrases. Willi graceful ease, bom of long practice, his fingers execute an impeccable shake, while his arpeggio flights are elegantly consummated. Of somewhat spare build, his preliminary attitudes upon the platform seem to suggest the thoughtful student, but this ' apparently reticent manner vanishes a.s the music proceeds, and his face lights up with the artist's enthusiasm. Stiff bravura passages cause him no apparent perturbation of mind and body, every intricate idea being presented with that, ease usually ascribed to virtuosi of exceptional attainments. Kubelik's opening number was Mendelssohn's famous * ; Violin Concerto in E Minor." The first movement, "Allegro Molio Appassionato," was superbly given, the utmost being made of the beauties of the thematic material. The skips were given with finished clearness, while the manifold chains of triplets, embodying staccato and legato styles, were played with distinction. With feathery lightness the bow gave out the semiquaver arpeggios, and the cadenza was powerfully declaimed. The " Presto" close to this movement was given with great brilliancy. The " Andante" was presented with noteworthy taste, the subject portions with inner, accompaniment being given in a manner worthy of such a great artist. The last movement — Allegro Molto Vivace"—was played in exhilarating and forceful manner, the prodigal technicalities being negotiated in memorable fashion. Loud and prolonged applause, together with cheering, greeted Kubelik on the conclusion of the Concerto, and after repeated bowings and returning to the stage he at length acceded to the popular demand for another number, and played an unapproachable rendering of '■ Ave Maria" (Schubert-Wilhelmj). Kubelik next appeared as exponent of the bracketed numbers, (a) " Preislied," from " Der Mteistersinger" (Wagner-Wilhelmj), (b) "Praeluditim" (Bach), and (c) " Polonaise" (Wieniawski). In the noted Hack number the distinctness with which the different subjects were made to stand out together, with the flexible purity of tone displayed, was surprising. The "Polonaise" of Wieniawski received sin. unexampled interpretation, moving the large audience to applause and cheers. The inevitable encore resulted this lime it was Pibrich's exquisite " Poem." The concert concluded with an astounding tour de force in Pagamni's "Witches' Dance." Here a perfect cornucopia, of technical ideas was presented, calling forth loud and prolonged cheers as the last note vibrated from the strings. Kubelik, aftor repeated acknowledgments of his. auditors' delight, played Hubay's delight fid moreeau " Le Zephyr." " Miss Erna Mueller, a mezzo-soprano, of pleasing presence and cultivated rich voice, contributed the vocal numbers(a) Aria, "Mon s'ouvre a-tu voix," from Saint-Saen's "Samson and Delilah." (b) "The Shepherd's Hong" (Elgar), (e) "Thy Beaming Eyes" (MacDowell). Being recalled, she sang "Charm Me Once More" (Lederer). Miss Emily Dyason, a promising pianist, gave acceptable readings of the programme numbers—fa) "Legende" (Paderewski), (b) "Papillon," (c) "Oisillon" (Greig), and (d) "Etude de Concert" (Qodard). These were rendered with neatness and facility, and her recall item was'. Rubinstein's "Barcarolle." Herr laid wig Schwab, as accompanist, performed yeoman service. His duties were no sinecure,-and his work, especially in the difficult violin numbers, was of an'exalted ideal.

The final opportunity of hearing Kubelik in Auckland will be to-night at. the Roval Albert Hull. . .' "