SONATA RECITAL

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12406, 27 March 1926, Page 7

SONATA RECITAL

AN EXACTING PROGRAMME. Playing of uniform excellence and frequent flashes of brilliance characterised the sonata recital by Mr Leon de Mauny (violinist), and Mr Bernard Page (pianist), at the Concert Chamber last night. They performed before a well-filled house, and were aocorded a great reception. In an exacting programme bristling with difficulties not once did these, two artists sink into mediocrity. Mr Page belongs to a schdol of pianists which is, alas! all too rare. If he does not glitter and scintillate he is always poetic and imaginative. His noble conception of the art of music is dbubly welcome. Mr de Mauny is a violinist for refleotive moods, delighting in delicate half tints, in implications rather than forthright statements, The combination of the two musicians is exceptionally well-balanced, and in their programme last night they succeeded in eliminating the common tiresome austerity and infused a romantic life and vigour far from distasteful. . Three sonatas were played last evening. The first was by Haydn, written in F major. It is an Old World piece of three movements —Allegro Moderate, Andante, and Vivace Assai. The Andante, a theme in D major, is particularly charming. There is some beautiful piano work early in the piece. A sonata in D major by Ropartz, a pupil of Cesar Franck followed. The influence of the master is. apparent throughout. The whole sonata is of an old Breton theme which is used even in the last movement. A work of a modern Russian composer Gretchaninoff, sonata in D Major (Op.. 87) concluded the programme. The piece contains rather a fine fugue. The second movement, andante, grasioso, contains four variations which work up. from moderate through allegro energico to a fine majestio passage, and then drops to a quiet movement which Is a pleasing contrast. A romantic climax follows.