ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5009, 6 July 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

THE HAMBOURG CONCERTS. a grbatTiamst. Mr Mark Hambourg, who gave his first concert in Wellington on Saturday night, is one of the world's pianists, and it is not to be wondered at, therefore, that his visit to this colony should have aroused such enthusiasm. By his playing on Saturday uigljt, he captured his audience at the outset, until at the end of the programme the people literally rose at him, loudly cheering him, and recalling him again and again. The was an emphatic reply to those who are fond of assorting that Wellington is not a musical community. Indeed, the generosity of the artist was taxed to an inconsiderate degree, for his hearers insisted upon encores throughout, the programme, even after the long and exacting Beethoven Sonata, and would have compelled Mr Hambonrg to give another encore piece at the. end of the concert, for his performance of the tremendously sensational transcription by Liszt of the “Midsummer Night’s Dream” music, had they not probably realised, when he had come out four times and bowed, that it was time to desist. Mr Hambourg is a player of extraordinary power. His small stature does not convey, when he first appears on the platform, any idea of the immense reserve force stored within his fingers. Even as he plays producing astonishing breadth of tone, the impression left in the mind of the listener is that behind all this marvellous energy and resistless impetuosity there is nevertheless a further reserve power upon which he could cal] at any moment. Mr Hambourg is a finished exponent of the most modern methods of pianoforte-playing, and, so far tvs tho merely technical side of his work is concerned, obtains all his gigantic effects of technique in a reposeful wav, and with his wrists depressed below the keyboard, in the fashion’ of the modern sshaoli* A fittest 3

him ns a solid and serious musician, at aomo in the music of Beethoven ruthcr Laun in that ol the less profound Chopin; out this may prove a hasty conclusion requiring to bo modified after a closer study ol his style. In the “Appassionato bonata of Beethoven, the first and t!m most important work of Mr Hambounr* programme, he played with remarkable depth of moaning, developing the sedate iw tU J e adagio with singularly rare effect, ihe first movement us well as the last, also an allegro, wore bvilljantlv playi r wp P assa S* s “pearling” iu tho most delightful way,whilst the sonority of tono produced was_ amazing. Tho audience cheered tho player, who after coming forward a couple of times, seated himself ogam at tho piano and gave with dainty giaco a berceuse by Chopin, A group of three selections of Chopin comprised tho Nocturne” in E-mujor. the “fciudv” in ~ 1 £ l ml t, . l ° “Ballade” in A-flafc—all notable for crisp, delicate execution. An P j C i olo "as enthusiastically demanded by the audience, Mr Hainbourg select ing the charming “Capriccio” of Scarlatti, as arranged by the gifted Tausig, an( J d ls Playiti}j in it a perfect technique, A ‘volksliod” of his own composition was gracefully played, and with it waa bracketed the show-piece of the evening —the “Midsummer Night's Dream* 3 music, of which '“Tho Wedding March” is the theme. This is an astonishing piece of bravura playing, but in its enormous difficulties tho pianist seemed to positively revel, carrying bis audience with him through heavy scales and double octaves running the whole length of tho keyboard, and through all the other intricate devices with -which the piece, ia embellished, until after the final series of massive chords there was an outburst of cheering, and Mr Hambourg was recalled no fewer than four times. Of tho other members of the company, Mr John fianmone, the well-known iiautist. was prominent. TUiough ten. yeajy had passed since his previous visit to New Zealand, his excellent fiutoplaying is well known, and tho Wellington public was glad of tho opportunity again: to give him hearty greeting. Ho made a_ feature of his solo, a-concert study by Ivranz, playing with, pronounced expression. and finish. His encore piece was his own “Distant Echoes,” which waa interesting only as a specimen, of trickplaying in tho production of harmoniccJ. Mr Boris Hambourg brother of tho pianist, is a youthful 'cellist, only eighteen years old. Ho has plenty of work ahead of him to develop his tone, which is just now attenuated; but hd plays with a great deal of intelligence i technical skill. In Wellington! lately, however, there has been si-mo excellent 'cello-playing, and perhaps this has made audiences critical. Notwithstanding this, tho playor was warmly enteored for his solos. He playo.l the first movement from DavidofTs Concerto r? -'i In U lor ’ Chopin's Nocturne in. E-fiat\ Davidoff s “Am Spriugbrunneu,” and as encoro pieces tho Bach air for the G string, and Popper's “Spdnnliod." Ai movement from a Mendelssohn sonata was played by Mark''and Boris Hambourg, the tones of the piano overwhelming those of the 'cello. The singer of the company is; Miss Mabel Batchelor, a fight soprano, whose enunciation is distinctly good, while her method has a good deal to recommend It, though «he uses tho vibrato effect unduly. , For an interesting song “Parted,” from a “Soi»» Cycle” by Cowon she was recalled, and then gave Ivrenm's “Spring Voices.” The accompaniments were sympathetically’ played by Mr George F. Boyle. There was a crowded audience. For the second concert to-night, another attractive programme is promised. Mr Mark Hambourg is to play a “Caprice and Fugue” on “Alcoste” airs, arranged by Sadnt-Saens, four Chopin pieces, tho Sgambati arrangement of a . Gluck melody, and tho sixth '‘Rhapsodic” of Liszt,

THBATEB ROYAL, The unfailing popularity of this place of entertainment was demonstrated on Saturday night, when a very meritorious and attractive programme was presented. Mr Tod Callaway, character comedian, provoked continual merriment by his clever imitations. The “Flying Moultons” provided a very successful* turn, which amply sustained the reputation they have enjoyed. Mr John Carleton a baritone of fine compass, created a very favourable impression on his first appearance. Ho sang some sentimental songs in good stylo. The farcical comedy, "Living Models," was very amusing. Acceptable contributions were given hy Messrs Harris Trigger, George Dean, Miss Emmie Smith and Miss E. Esdails The last throe nights of tho "Flying Moultons" are announced. CHORAL HALL, The farewell of Denis Carney at tho Choral Hall on Saturday night was most enthusiastic. Ho is a capable ar_ tiat, of widely-acknowledged merit, and to-night he will bo succeeded by. an equally popular performer in Fred Bluett. The audience lost Saturday night wag an overflowing one, and it was rewarded with a well-balanced and highly enjoyable programme. The songs of love and of moving adventures sot to melodious strains were pleasingly given by Miss Amy Blackie. Miss Amy Lnrsin, Miss LUliesSmith. Hajny Hart and Ted Herberte, while the light and airy occurences in which tho woes of the saveloy man and others, and tho 'joys of the Cockney bounder are depicted, were given in an amusing way by Tim Howard, Jack Steele and Bonis Carney. The Lenten sisters, exponents of tho art of kicking high air and singing light ditties, were given a triple encore. "ABE YOU A MASON*?." In forming his company for the pro* duction in Australasia of the new farcical comedy, "Are you a Mason ?" which will be seen here for. the first time next Saturday evening, Mr J. C. Williamson drew upon London, New York and the English provinces, selecting also a few popular favourites on the Australian stage. Theatre-goers here will on this occasion see Mr George Giddens, a noted London comedian. In the part which he created in the original production of "Are You a Mason?" Mr Giddens is essentially n London actor, having spent practically all his stage life in that city, playing leading comedy roles. He joined Mr (now Sir Charles) Wyndbam’a company for the original produc. tion of "Betsy in 1879. The box plan for the season will open at the Dresden rooms to-morrow morning, at 10 o’clock.

The concert and “social” in aid of the Sisters of the Poor and the Homo for Incurables is to be held in tho Drillshed on Wednesday- evening. An excellent concert programme lxa« been arranged. Several talented amateurs will take part, includiug Miss ffulia Moran. Miss Pulsford, Miss May Sullivan, Miss Twohill, Miss Scidoloh,' Messrs Hendry, Carr and Devine. By twelve votes to four the Victoria College Debating Society on Saturday night negatived a motion "That no event in tho history of this colony has had a more injurious effect on tho morale of its people than the despatch of contingents to South Africa.” The resolution was moved by Mr Ostler and Mr Toogood, an<! was opposed by Mr T. T. Seddon and Mr Thompson. A children’s entertainment and sale of work will be held in St. Mark’s Schoolroom to-morrow evening, in aid of the Chinese mission in the Wellington diocese. Novelties are promised in the shape of music by Chinese and Chinese decorations. The Mount Cook Old Boys’ Association will hold its annual ball in St. Peter's Hall on the 31st inst. ’Those desiring invitations should communicate with either of the secretaries. Nominations should be in to-day,for the annual ball on the 15th inst. of the Wellington College Old Boys’ Association.