A GIFTED ’CELLIST

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11409, 4 January 1923, Page 3

A GIFTED ’CELLIST

ADELINA LEON AND THE TASTE FOR MUSICAN ARTIST’S DILEMMA. Varied has been the career of Adelina ! Leon, the gifted 'oelliet with the Rosin* Buokinan party. . Miss (Leon is no stranger to New Zealand, as this is'her second visit. Adelina Leon has viewed from the air, dived, in a submarine, visited Whangarei, and survived a 'quake' at Weiirakei; the last , was the greatest thrill—at least she confided os much to a "Times" reporter yesterday Music is, of course, the topic nearest her heart. > Adelina LeOn was of opinion that New Zealanders were more musical than their cousins across the Tasman Sea. “Yon are far more appreciative," she confided, "and you like better quality.” "This is the problem that faces the artist in Australia. If one gives a programme of gqod musio, the aritios enthuse—and the public stay away 1 If one plays papular airs—for example, 'Silver Threads Amongst the Gold'—the critics want r to’ know why one does not put on better stuff. What is one to do? With a popular programme one gets a double encore—and a bad notice. With good music it is the other way round. That’s the position." The interviewer admitted that it certainly was difficult to know actually what to do. "However, yon ■ are more musical in New Zealand,” smiled Adelina. "Yon are more English, , too. Yes,” she added, "there is a great difference in the audiences.” "Take your 'picture theatre orchestras. I think ebme of them wonderful. They more than surprised me.' It is very different in,London where there are probably five hundred—approximately, of course—and the musio is very different. Oh yes, I am sure you are a musical people." Undoubtedly Mies Leon had neyer visited a picture show at Utiku. No, Maungaturoto. . There is a pianola there. “Well, anything else?" The interviewer paused. The inevitable question. It was impossible to ask Miss Leon her impression of the view from Mount Victoria. . She had already 1 oommented upon the gentle zephyrs for which Wellington is so*, renowned, and will long remember New Year’s, Eve. A piper play6d her: to sleep. ..Doth subjects were exhausted. t “Tell me about your family.” said the Pressman. "Of coureeyou oome from the most illustrious family in England?” "I would not say that," laughingly replied Miss Leon,, "but I. will tell you something." . 1 An expeotVnt hush. "My grandmother's cousin wsa Ignaee Moocheles, who taught Beethoven. He was a composer as well." . At the age of five . Adelina Leon commended to learn the piano, hat later transferred. her affections to the 'sella She wae inoticed atthe ege of fifteen by the eminent Rodin when he onoe visited England. It was at a fete in the students' quarter in London where she played for him. He mid it‘was one of the

things that most impressed him dining hia visit. A letter, from the great sculptor. acquainting her of this fact, is one of. Adelina's treasures. An uncle is Solomon J. Solomon, the portrait painter. Her first teacher was de Murick, the husband of Adelina Patti's sister. A notable distinction, a scholarship in the Boyal College of Music at South Kensington, was won by . the young artist. - Her master in Paris, was Pablo Casals. "The most wonderful 'oellist of his time," declared his pupil. "He was either a Spaniard dr a South American. lam not quite sure. Anyway, he was truly (remarkable." A tour of the principal cities in Europe followed. - ' And then Adelina Leon took part In quartette recitals at the Aeolian Hall in London. "They were qnite a snooese. lasting from twelve o'clock till a quarter past one. Sir Charles Santly and , all those people came. The recitals were , most successful." I

With the members of Miss Lena Ashwell's concert parties Miss loon weqt to France in 1915, where she remained for some Considerable tame, (entertaining the troops, and many and raired were her experiences. She visited the Rhine Army with a concert party' after the armistice.! Visits'to Malta,'the Mediterranean, Southern Italy followed, and then Australia and New Zealand. Miss Leon was eloquent in her praise of the Dominion, and said how much she - appreciated the opportunity of seeing it a second time.. The 'oellist will return to England in February, via the. United States. - ,