MISCHA ELMAN.

NZ Truth, Issue 473, 11 July 1914, Page 3

MISCHA ELMAN.

World's Greatest Violinist-

Mischa Elman, who is acclaimed by press critics all the world over, as ihe greatest violinist of the present period, gave his first concert to a New Zealand audience at the Wellington Town Hall last week. He is a pleasant young man and, contrary to* the usual well -advertised professional * virtuoso, patronises the barber at* regular intervals, which of course shows that he requires no artful adventitious aid to impress the audience. He. is .visiting these distant shores m the' heyday of his prime, and the audience showed their high appreciation of his great talent m doubling the length of his generous programme "by recalling him on every number. Similar ' tribute ■';. was paid to Mdlle. Gauthier, a daint> brunette and French Canadian. On Saturday evening this lady caused somewhat of a sensation, wearing /colored hair the latest fashion freak hitherto confined to the windows of the coiff cures m ■ these parts. ; . She donned a purple wig to match: the dash of purple of her dress. It would be the acme . of impertinence to attempt to criticise such a genius as Mischa, one feels it is enough to listen and be grateful. Probably Wellington has not before heard such wonderfully delicate pianissimos as Elman's, withal- so clear and defl-, nite. Then the rapid octaves and double stopping! One wishes to know the thoughts of such an exponent as he alternately closes and opens his eyes, the latter movement mostly noticeable m con fuoco and cheerful passages. It was possible that Mischa was regretting that he: had not a free hand, and at the end of his last number, of the first part declaim m emphatic terms his pleasure to play for those who could not pay to hear him, and so give out his best to the world, not minding who caredi and whether aught but gratitude and true'appreci-' ation was his reward. Writer heard Tivader Nachez years ago play Paganini's "Etude Caprice,*' but Mischa' s ! performance was infinitely more con- I vincinß. and Bach ? s ' Air" on .G string, the previous number to the Caprice, stood out as -the masterpiece of the evening, even remembering all other exceptional renderings .m part and whole. "■ * We have had some very fine accompanists here, but such a degree of intimacy and heart wLule sympathy as shown by Percy Kahn to his fellow Artists were never more generous and responsive. • ' . . Mdlle. Gauthier*s charming manners and personality won her an easy ready response from the audience. Her voice is very 'flexible, and her enunciation excellent. . A rajbe musical treat is now available to New Zealanders on the dates specified at the following places: Dunedin, July 13 and 14; Tlmarii, July 16; and Christchurch, July 18 and 20.