TOWN HALL.

NZ Truth, Issue 180, 28 November 1908, Page 6

TOWN HALL.

Haydn Beck.

Lovers- of music m Wellington are being well catered for at present, and on 1 Wednesday and Thursday a gifted young New Zealander, Master Hayun Beck, who is a native of Wanganui and is only eight years' old, made his initial bow to a Wellington audience m the Concert Chamber of the Town H«r.U. The youngster has inherited a wonderful talent as a violinist, his command of the instrument is marvellous and he is already a performer oi some note antl a composer into the bargain. His father, a teacher of music, has so far been his only instructor. When the mite maide his first . appearance with his miniature violin he took the sympathetic audience completely by surprise, and after lie had struck ttie first notes of Bohm ; s "Gavotte Grazioso" the audience was worked up to a high pitch of enthusiasm. His rendering of the difficult passages was perfect and his phrasing satisfied even the most critical. At the conclusion of the piece the audience went into raptures of applause, and the little fellow again delighted those present with an illustration of his powers by readering Elgar's ,"Salut d' Amour." At his second appearance Master Beck gave a composition of his own, a Serenade m ti Flat, which was pleasingly rendered. After playing Moffatt's "Hungarian Mazurka," Schumann's "Traumerle," and De Berrot's "Violin Concerto," the little artist withdrew, hut m response to undeniable applause he returned and rendered "Home, Sweet Home" with an interpretation and patbos which was simply astonishing an one so young. What adds to the youngster's ability is that he memorises all these items and plays them without a score of any kind before him. On Thursday ■' night Master Beck again appeared m ,the Concert Hall and many who had heard liirn the previous night again patronised the .. youtMul perf c-rmar. As a viojini&t Master BecK should be heard of m the future and should mate a' name for himself m the highest of the world's musical circles., indeed, he is an artist of whom the Dominion can Justly ■feel proud.

By special request, this reniarJtable libtce uoiu.ist wl'l give an extra (sacredv concert m the Town Hall to-mourow night. He w.LLI again be assisted m a new and splendid programme by some of our leading talent. Admission is by silver coin, and m view or the object of sending the hoy to Europe, patrons are asJ-ed to favor by contributing Is upstairs and ,6d downstairs. ..uere shouldbe a very Large assemblage, the big hall having bean engaged for tihe . occasion.