HISLOP RECITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20863, 4 May 1931, Page 10

HISLOP RECITAL.

SECOND FINE PROGRAMME. BRILLIANCE OF SINGING. The second concei t'of Joseph Hislop s Auckland season, which was given in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, was, if anything, an improvement on his opening concert. Commencing with the wellknown "Flower Song" from Bizet's "Carmen,'' Mr. Hislop made a more vigorous opening, and having at once broken the ice of restraint, sang the remainder of his songs with fine enthusiasm. The appreciation of the audieni | was fully apparent throughout the evening, and Mr. llislop had to respond to numerous demands for encores. In addition to the "Flower Song, Mr. ilislop's first group of songs contained a beautiful little Italian song-storv, "Fiocca la Neve" ("Softly Fall the Snowflakes") am! "Recondita Armenia," from Puccini's "Tosca," u spirited number which was sung with fine feeling. The second group was begun with Kathcrine lleyman's "Trees," an unusual and strikingly beautiful song, of which both the words and the melody were equally attractive, the next, "Tlio Song of the Palanquin Bearers," was even better. A lilting and damtv air with a sweet and tender gaiety, iL had to lie repeated before the audience was satisfied to let Mr. llislop pass on to the following number. 'I lie group was concluded with "A Widow Bird Sate Mourning," on expressive song which possessed a charming air of sadness and desolation, and Rachmaninoff's "At Night," a romantic and passionate song, in which Mr. Ilislop's resonant tone was amply evident. As an encoro he sang "Fine Eyes," an unusual and entertaining ballad. The third group was devoted to a presentation of negro spirituals. .1 he first of these was "Coin' Home." from the largo of Dvorak's "New World ' symphony, an 'appealing number which seemed to he instinct with the negro tradition. The two other numbers. "Were You There?" and "Nobody Knows," were two exquisite examples of this type of music. At the conclusion of this group Mr. Hislop sang as encores "Corn Rigs" and "The Rose of Tralec." The final number on his programme was the famous "On With the Motley," from Leoncavallo's "II Pagliacci." So dramatically was this given, however, that he was not allowed to depart without giving further encore numbers. For these, Mr. llislop made a happy choice in singing the gay and carefree "Quest' o Quella," from Verdi's Rigoletto," and "Bonny Wee Thing," one of the most popular of his encores on Thursday evening.

Further hearing of Mr. Isidor Goodman's work at the piano confirmed the excellent impression lie had made on Thursday. Opening with Mozart's sonata in F major, which lie performed with meticulous neatness, lie played with the same brilliance and versatility which had characterised his previous performance. His playing of Debussy's Oatbedrale Kngloiitie," was perhaps his best item on Saturday evening, and the bells faintly tolling on the cathedral tower as it sank beneath the waves were indicated in a masterly manner. The next number. Fagan's "Three Harpies," was original and striking. As an encore after the, playing of this group, Mr. Goodman gave another brilliant little piece, Chasins' "Hush Hour in Hongkong." His final number was Chopin's "Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise." Tho andante was beautifully played, and tho sheer brilliance of * artistry in tho performance of tho polonaise was rewarded by enthusiastic applause. The concluding recital will be given tomorrow evening.