THOMAS’ HALL.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2641, 16 October 1895, Page 2

THOMAS’ HALL.

THE BALLING-BAENETT CONCERT. In the music of Wellington this concert makes a special landmark. A concert by two artists of the first rank in their respective styles giving music of the highest character to a largo and very appreciative audience—for such a concert to be a success financially as well as musically is a fact of soma importance):ln view of the many failures of first-class artists to draw houses the fact is eminently satisfactory. The programme was of the first force. It will be remembered by those who hoard it especially for Rubinstein's ■ great sonata for viola-alta and pianoforte. In this work the famous composer put forth all his powers. For strength, originality, passion and fire this sonata of his stands first among the best of his greatest efforts. The opening movement arrests the attention, the noble ”Andante" charms with its wonderful beauty; the third movement with its hurrying characteristic phrases is all too short; the final Allegro carries one away with its tremendous power, till the last bar leaves one surprised that the music has occupied three-quarters of an hour, and disappointed that there is not as much more. It was a rare composition for introducing us to the viola-alta. It is a modern instrument, perfected within the last decade, possessing the power of the violoncello, with the delicacy of the violin, with a tone of its own perfectly unique, liquid, full, rich, broad and strong. Very few artists have the command of this difficult instrument) of these Herr Balling is one, In this sonata, which- was expressly written to take advantage of its splendid qualities, Herr Balling showed his consummate mastery, giving us a perfect revelation of what can be done with strings. The technique is extremely difficult, from the length of the strings, but no one could have suspected anything of the kind as he listened to the splendid tone and brilliant execution of the master playing from memory, producing every one of the many fine effects with an ease and precision which are the property of only the first artists. Mr Barnettrs power as a pianist is so well known that it is only necessary to say that he gave a splendid rendering of the piano music. The ensemble of the two artists was magnificent at every point, in delicacy, power, expression, mastery, in everything they were together in the highest style ot their art. The most exacting of musicians could not hope over to hear a better performance, a thing that cannot be said of every city in the world. After the Rubinstein each of the artists entertained us alone; Mr Barnett very worthily with a grand Adagio and Minuet of Schubert, and Herr Balling with his own paraphrase of Mendelssohn’s “ Loreley," and a perfectly wonderful “Pastorale” and “Gavotte” of Ritter’s in the Mozartian style, in all of which music he made us especially admire and delight in the grand tone and beautiful qualities of his noble instrument. Having delighted us separately, the two ended their unique and most enjoyable, as well as very improving, concert with three movements of the MeyerOlbersleben Sonata, a glorious composition in which they revelled, and in which every musician present revelled with them. The large audience applauded heartily at the end, as it had done throughout, and went away vastly pleased. The Governor, Lady Glasgow, qnd a party from Government House were present, including £ady Augusta flqyle, whom everybody was pleased to sea. In congratulating the young lady on her recovery wo express the sentiment of all who were present.