SCHWARTZ-ASSHETON CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 3

SCHWARTZ-ASSHETON CONCERT.

A TALENTED PAIR. The large audience that assembled in Burns Hail on Saturday evening showed some degree of impatience at the delay in making a start with the programme to be presented by Miss Dawn Assheton, and Mr Laszlo Schwartz, vocalist and violinist respectively. Mr Schwartz is also amongst the world’s better known composers of the present day. All appearance of impatience vanished when Mr Schwartz appeared, and from the stage made some introductory remarks which were subsequently added to as the programme advanced. It is_ now five years ago since Mr Schwartz visited Dunedin. He commented upon the revolutionary changes experienced in life, and said that as he went round the world it seemed to him that people were beginning to realise that they must come together to create a better understanding between them. Music was one thing that bound the human family together, and we did not give the attention to it that primitive people did. He came from a country where the people were extremely musical, and that was shown by the fact that Listz’s Rhapsodie” had been suggested bv the peasantry of the country. Mr Schwartz went on to emphasise the value of “ sincerity and simplicity in music, and later, between the nerformonce of the various items, indirectly came back to the same subject by stating that in a certain country there were 4in of music and Ain of variations. In connection with his playing of a Hawaiian tune he remarked that it was not really Hawaiian music that was heard in the world. The music went to the publisher who brought about a transformation before it was passed on to the public. Mr Schwartz has evidently no liking for the music that comes commonly under the term “ jazz,” and referred to it in rather contemptuous terms. Miss Dawn Assheton practically covered all classes of vocal music during her several appearances, starting with grand opera, and finishing up with the traditional Scottish folk song “ Caller Herrin.” For folk song music Miss Asshton seems to have a special liking. On making her appearance at the commencement of the concert to sing a well-known aria from Verdi’s “ Traviata ” no one in the audience could fail to be struck by her exceptionally charming personality, or. notice the very becoming costumes worn by her. The first impression of her singing of the difficult aria was that Miss Assheton sings with supreme ease. She never labours of strains—one of the most serious drawbacks from which a vocalist can suffer, to say nothing of the suffering of the audience that has to listen. That Miss Assheton has profited by the cultivation her voice has undergone was quite evident, otherwise the ‘‘ Traviata ” solo could not have been rendered so charmingly and effectively. She sang with expression, her treatment of the aria being artistic, and her conception of the requirements of the music in the conditions under which it was sung was good. Her voice is pleasing, and'of good body and tone, more especially in the lower and upper portions, and she occasionally produces a bird-like note at the top extent of the voice that is veiy effective. It was in her group songs in character costume that Miss Assheton won her way to the hearts of her audience, favourably as she impressed those present with her worth as an operatic singer In the Oriental group she sang “ Ghanza Drunes,” “ Djonalas Song,” and “ Ma Lay Day,” the music belonging, or being peculiar to East India, Persia, and Burmah respectively. Dressed in the picturesque ' robes of an Eastern woman, and adopting her manners, methods, and actions, Miss Assheton sang the three songs of the Orient very well, though perhaps the second and third wore 1 more attractive. Miss Assheton’s characterisations were a remarkable feature about her performance in all the national sketch songs she presented. The Spanish group of character songs was outstanding the music belonging to a more familiar class. For this reason it was more attractive, though not more cleverly given. The group consisted of “ Pickle Lover,” “My Toreador,” and “La Claval.” Miss Assheton’s third group of songs was representative of Hungarian and Slavonic music, and included in it were “My Mate,” “ Liliomszall,” and “Oj Dana.” The music was all well rendered, a feature of the presentation being the gorgeous colouring of the rich-looking costumes worn by the vocalist. .In ordinary evening attire Miss Assheton added “ Children, Children,” “ Santry Fair,” and “ Caller Herrin’,” the interpolation of the last-mentioned being an innovation on preconceived ideas. Her last vocal number was Mascheroni’s “ Ave Maria,” to which Mr Schwartz contributed a violin obbligato. Miss Assheton was repeatedly recalled throughout the evening, and made a great impression, in complying on one occasion with her singing of the “ Poi Song.” Mr Schwartz took upon himself a full share of the evening’s work, and many of the selections heard were his own compositions. After listening to his playing of the first few items the full meaning of what he intended to convey by the words “ sincerity and simplicity ” was fully understood. The compositions in themselves bore unmistakable evidences of an ability of high standard, but all belonged to a comparatively simple school, inasmuch as there was a complete absence of ths “ elaborate trimmings ” with which so much high-class music is ornamented. These same ornamentations have their value, no doubt, and at least serve one purpose, which is to make it increasingly difficult for vocalist or instrumentalist to give a satisfactory interpretation. _ Mr Schwartz gave an exceedingly fine interpretation of everything he played. In his first group of three compositions, two of which originated with himself, his playing of a “Caprice” (Schwartz) might possibly be preferred. There was perhaps a little more work in it than most of the other violin selections. A group that was of unusual interest was that composed of folk song of the Magyar. Mr Schwartz gave a most artistic rendering of a “ Hungarian Phantasy,” arranged by himself. A “ Love Song ” and “So They Say ” possessed their special attractions, the former being made particularly attractive by the violinist. With Mr Schwartz it is rather a matter of fine playing than brilliant playing. That seemed to be the keynote through all his performances, and the idea by which he was swayed in all he did. It was always a desire to convey a message full of meaning, written in a plain, clear hand. Credit is due to Mr Clyde Bell for the careful and efficient way he played the accompaniments. He was always “ with ” the vocalist, or violinist; and ready to accommodate himself, through the medium of the piano, to meet the interpretation placed upon the music. The second concert will bo given tomorrow evening.