THE THREE CHERNIAVSKYS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9090, 8 July 1915, Page 9

THE THREE CHERNIAVSKYS

JUST AS POPULAR AS EVER. The Cherniavskys, the talented Russian instrumental trio who have won such fame amongst us, have not chosen a propitious period for a return visit to Wellington after their sojourn in the south. Just now it must be recognised that -a sort - of Carnival aftermath has set in. Nevertheless a large audience assembled at the Grand Opera House on the occasion of the first of their farewell series of concerts, and they evoked just as much enthusiasm as ever. Encores were the rule throughout a most attractive programme, and if some people had had their way there would have been a superabundance o£ items.

The opening trio - was by Haydn—the one in "which the popular "Rondo all Ongarese” occurs—and this final movement was taken at an especially presto tempo with clearness and effervescing brightness notwithstanding. Much expression was infused into the preceding andante and adagio cantabilo, a particularly rich foundation being supplied hy' the ’cello in the latter. As an encore the over-welcome Cherniavsky version of Schubert’s Impromptu in A Minor was played with pretty piquancy. After the trio Mr Misohel Cherniavsky appeared in the role of ’cello soloist, his bracketed selections being an exquisite cantabile movement by Cui, Each’s without accompaniment, and the "Dance Apache’’ of Van Biene, -the "Broken Melody” composer. In this last-men-tioned the skill of Van Biene as a ’cellist was well approached by the youthful Russian, who in regard to tone and finish evidenced even an improvement on former performances. The octaves and .harmonics in the piece, were a fine exhibition of virtuosity, and the Shake in harmonics at the end had an exceedingly quaint effect. This same the player introduced into Schubert's ‘Slumber Song,” which was beautifully rendered as an encore. A Chopin group was afterwards furnished by Mr Jan Cherniavsky- on the piano—the languid and melancholy Nocturne in E, left hard study in C minor, black key study, and the polonaise in A major. These pieces wore interpreted in a most skilful manner, and executed with the abandon of a matured virtuoso. In the second study a glissando sweep over the-black keys was introduced, so that an added touch of brilliancy was given do the dazzling butterfly manipulation. The left hand study resulted in a broken string, which gave an • inharmonious clang to the last chords, and it was lucky the accident did not occur sooner. In these days of trichords the mishap was of no consequence, and the severed wire was simply 'removed before the pianist went -on to bis next piece. He was recalled over and over again, and ultimately gave the inevitable encore —a, bright little reverie, which was rippled from the grand with apparently not the slightest effort. After the interval. Air Leo Cherniavsky was most warmly applauded for his brilliant efforts as a violin soloist. - His composition was a thoroughly happy onecoupling Tschaikowsky’s “Serenade Melancholeque.” Kreisler’s "Caprice Viennois,” and a polonaise by Wdeniawsky. The concluding trio was one in four movements of surpassing beauty by Arensky—in style thoroughly popular as well as elevating. A really excellent concert was brought to a conclusion with the playing of the National Anthems of Russia, France and Great Britain.

To-night another concert will be given, the programme including the "Peer Gynt” suite of Grieg, and variations from a Tschaikowsky trio, Wieniawsky’s “Faust” fantasia for the violin, Golterinann and Davidoff compositions on the ’cello, and Chopin and Liszt excerpts on the piano.