LEVITZKI RECITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 13

LEVITZKI RECITAL.

AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE.

CHOPIN AGAIN PROMINENT.

The second recital of his Auckland season, which was given by Mischa Levitzki in the Town Hall on Saturday evening, attracted a very largo audience, which accorded tlio artist a memorable reception. Tlio demand for encores was even more insistent than on Thursday evening, and Mr. Levitzki had to play nine extra numbers. At the conclusion of the concert the Governor-General, Lord Bledisloe, who attended the recital with the Lady Bledisloe and party, personally congratulated Mr. Levitzki on his outstanding performance. Chopin compositions again occupied a prominent place in Mr. Levitzki s programme. A notable performance was that of the " HAoic" Polonaise, in A Flat, Op. 53, which was vigorously delivered in the grand manner. There was some wonderful work by the left hand in a glorious accelerando find the powerful finalo was given with a sweeping-breadth of style. Another fine number was the Mazurka in A Flat Major, which was full of polTsli and was played with a fine distinction between the passionate restraint of the middle portion and its quiet ending. The Nocturne in C Minor was an impressive number and was excellently delivered. Its variety of moods and expressions was particularly striking. Two brilliant studies concluded the Chopin group. These were the Etudes in 0 Major, Op 10, No. 7, and in D Flat. Major, Op 25, No. 10. The first was a very charming and expressive pieco in strong contrast to the swift scintillation of the latter. As encores to this group. Mr. Levitzki played the waltz in G Flat, the " Black Keys" Study, and the Nocturne in F Sharp Major coupled with the " Butterfly" Study. The Bach Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue, which opened the programme, was a brilliant technical display, in which preciseness and neatness were the chief features. This was followed by Beethoven's Sonata in A Major, Op. 101, the heaviest work of the evening. In this Mr. Levitzki acquitted himself with distinction. The opening movement was quietly meditative, with a serene nobility about it, which was in contrast to the lively and vigorous second movement. A sonorous adagio was followed by a return to the meditative quality of the opening, culminating in a brilliant finale. The final portion of the programme had a distinctly modern flavour. It opened with three " musical water-colours" by Debussy. The first was a brilliant Arabesque, which served as a graceful introduction. " The Golliwog's Cakewalk, a quaint little fantasy with some subtle harmonies, was followed by "La Filln Aux Oheveux de Loin," averv beautiful example of the vague and indefinable, yet withal, hauntingly beautiful, quality of Debussv's music. Mr. Levitzki provided a brilliant finale in the' Schulz-Elver Arabesques on Strauss' " Blue Danube Waltz." The nimble finger work was admirable and the familiar strains of this well-known waltz acquired deeper beauty in Mr. Levitzki's handling of the piece. The encore numbers at the conclusion of tlio programme provided a small recital in themselves, so interesting and varied were they. The numbers were the Concert Etude in D Flat Major of Liszt, Mr. Levitski's own waltz in A Major. Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 6, two Chopin preludes, and Schubert's "Marche Militnire." Owing to the success*of the Levitzki concerts Mr. E. J. Cravestock lias arranged for the distinguished pianist to give an extra concert on Saturday evening next. The third concert will be given to-morrow evening. On r l hursdav Mr. Levitzki will give a recital at Hamilton.