ENGLISH ARTISTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20705, 1 May 1929, Page 6

ENGLISH ARTISTS.

CLASSICAL AND MODERN MUSIC.

Three very fine musicians opened a short concert season in Burns Hall last night. The two particular stars are Miss Constance and Miss Margaret Izard, but the piauist, Mr Ernest Empson, deserves to be associated with the two ladies in an excellent interpretation of a programme, consisting mainly of what is regarded as high-class music. As a matter of fact the Misses Izard did not altogether keep to what is high class, in a strictly musical sense, but, evidently with the intention of meeting the taste of all patrons, included a few items of a popular order. Miss Constance Izard is a violinist, and Miss Margaret Izard the ’cellist, and upon them depends, to a great extent, success or failure. After listening to the two in duet and solo work there could be no failure, both being exceptionally fine ihstrumentalists, 'possessed of high musical attainments. It is to be regretted that the attendance was apt much larger, as an opportunity was offered of hearing, music of the best kind played in a finished and perfectly artistic manlier. So far as Mr Empson, the pianist, is concerned, on one occasion ho. was inclined to become over-prominent. That was in Miss Constance Izard’s playing of Chaussoa’s “ Poeme ” on the violin, but the oversight only lasted for a few bars. .Otherwise his accompaniments were perfectly played. The two ladies opened the programme with the duet (unaccompanied) “ Possacaglia,” by Handel, and it {done was a sufficient introduction to prove the musical ability of both. After hearing it no doubt could remain in the mind of anyone as to the high musical qualifications of the visitors.,, It was a most artistic performance, and all that followed it was on the same x high ■ plane. Miss Constance Izard then gave the “Poeme,” just alluded to, on the violin, with excellent results. Margaret Izard and Mr Empsou joinedin a " Sonata in G minor,” by Eccles, the composition being of ancient date,' and again the effort was crowned with complete success. The two ladies • next engaged in a series of duets for violin and cello, and it wag here that they, abandoned the lofty flights and provided something more modern. The Londonderry air, “Danny Boy,” is well known, and an arrangement of it by Rebecca Clarke was tastefully rendered, Good as this wag, It was placed in the shade by Daube’s “ Masette,” which ‘was beautifully played, and a recall followed. Three violin solos were given by Miss Constance Izard, and the audience bad a very fair opportunity of judging the lady s capabilities as a violinist. Miss Constance proved herself a brilliant player, possessed of great executive skill, and the applause ■ was of the heartiest kind when she finished up with the Pagamni-Kreisler “Prelude and Allegro,’ The other solos played were Chopin’s “ Nocturne in D ” and Ravcll’a “Habanera,” The duty of entertaining then devolved • upon Miss Margaret Izard, who scored quite as groat a success with her ’cello playing of Glazounous “Serenade,” Bach’s “Arioso,” and Popper’s “ Tatantelle.” The concluding items were unaccompanied dueta for violin and ’cello, and consisted of ?w— 8 v Greig-Izard’s .. Wiegeahed,” and Daquln-Izard’s Cuckoo. Notmnjj on the programme was other than extremely wqll interpreted from all points. Another concert will be given to-mor-row evening. in Burns Hall, and an equally good selection of items will be performed.'