WILLIAM BACKHAUS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12526, 16 August 1926, Page 7

WILLIAM BACKHAUS

FAMOUS PIANIST ARRIVES “SERVANT OF THE MASTERS” GREAT MUSIC OF THE PAST An artist who does not believe in ultra-modern xnusic and who still finds uiac no appeals to tne present generation through the works of lus beloved Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin, is William Backhaus, world-iamous pianist, who arrived in Wellington yesterday to continue his New Zealand tour. His visit is a notablo one in the musical history of the country, for Backhaus is regarded as a member of the illustrious company of great musicians and the equal of Paderewski. Backhaus, it has been said, is the genuine successor to Rubinstein. The pianist is of a retiring disposition, but is a ready speaker on the subject of his art, once he is baited. “I don’t play too many modern compositions,” he told a “Times” representative yesterday, “because I think that I can give more pleasure and happiness by playing the great music of the’ past. 1 find that when I play Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin, my audiences appear to be very happy. It sets them thinking, and gives them food for thought for a week or two—maybe a year. But if I play modern compositions, I do not get the same effect. I would need to play them over again before they would be understood, and as I am with the people for only a short time, it is not worth while playing the modern works. Modern compositions are better for the aitists who live with the people, ror they can keep on playing them till the people understand them.” THE CAUSE OF CHAOS Backhaus is no lover of “crank” music. He thinks that such stuff as beat less music leads rather towards chaos than to progress. The whole emotional idea of music is made by harmony and discord, but human nature always wants the harmony, he said, so that, if the ear is fed with nothing but discords, the effect is monotonous. Effects nowadays are so much more crude than of yore and do not make for the greatest refinement. Backhaus added that the tendency of a number’of the moderns was to get back to simplicity. The outstanding modern ‘ works are written lor the orchestra and not the piano, said the master. He thinks that Stravinsky is perhaps the strongest of the. moderns, and he has also a great regard for Respighi, an Italian, who has written very beautiful orchestral works. IMPORTANCE OF PEDALLING Backhaus was asked about his statement, made in Australia, regarding the importance of pedalling, and was amused when told that a tew comical veises had been based on his remarks. “People who go to recitals like to sit where they can see the player’s hands,” lie explained. “His feet are quite as important. It is the pedalling more than the finger work that gives the colouring, .there is scarcely a bar in which I do not use both pedals, so you can imagine my delight if a pedal squeaks.” The artist lias received many letters from music-lovers commenting upon his pedallirig. i!;.Jfie has, of .course, brought with him liis famous stool, which is fitted with a spirit-level, and is adjustable to any stage. Suitable pianos can usually be found for fastidious artists, hut none seem ever to be satisfied with the seats provided for them. Backhaus has also brought a piano to Wellington. The pianist spoke enthusiastically of

his season in Sydney, where he gave ten recitals and played 143 different pieces. He expressed himself as being really amazed at the attention shown him •by the public, who demonstrated their love of good music and showed a particular liking for the three masters already mentioned. Lady De Chair, wife of the Governor of New South Wales, attended seven of the ten concerts. Upon his arrival at Wellington yesterday the famous pianist was met by a number of local musicians and musiclovers and a hearty welcome to the capital city was extended to him. Backhaus will give his first concert in the Town Hall to-morrow evening, when he will play works by Beethoven, Schumann, Mendelssohn, Chopin, and Brahms. Recitals will also be given on Wednesday and Friday evenings. During the season the artist intends playing two very charming pieces by George Boyle, an Australian composer, who is a personal friend of the visitor. At tho conclusion of his New Zealand tour Backhaus will return to Australia. ‘ ' •