THE IZARD SISTERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20707, 3 May 1929, Page 15

THE IZARD SISTERS.

TWO ACCOMPLISHED PLAYERS. It seems a little difficult to “get the pulse of the public,” as to music. The modest trio who appeared for the second time last evening in a carefully prepared and well varied musical programme in Burns Hall certainly did attract an increased auditory, but nevertheless one far short of what should have been the case. The public is afforded the last chance of hearing some very fine violin and ’cello playing on Saturday evening when the Misses Izard will make their final appearance. The last programme has evidently been specially prepared to meet all tastes, and those who may visit Burns Hall on Saturday evening will hear a programme of music played, such as does not usually fall to the good fortune of a Dunedin audience. Apart from the selections, the playing of Miss Constance and Miss .largaret Izard, violinist and ’cellist respectively, is well worth listening to, no matter what sort of music they may be engaged upon. Their first concert proved the two ladies to be possessed of musical talent far above that which is usually heard, and. if need be, the fact was emphasised by 1- L night’s performance. It seemed as if the Misses Izard played with a good deal more confidence than they did on their first appearance, and they never failed to win the applause of the audience. The first item: was Cesar Franck’s “ Sonata in A,” for violin and piano, the high worth of the interpretation being very warmly recognised. After that the two sisters together played in a most artistic manner a gavotte, a musette and a pastorale that evidently convinced the audience that it had heard something very much above the ordinary in music. Boccherini’s “ Adagio and Allegro in A,” for the ’cello and piano, with Miss Margaret Izard taking the ’cello part and Mr Ernest Empson the pianoforte section, was a really very fine performance. Later in the evening came wonderfully fine performances of violin solos by Miss Constance Izard (“La Gita ,” “ Leprechuans Dance,” and “ Spanish Dance ”) and following were two beautifully played ’cello, solos by Miss Margaret Izard. There were a “ Celtic Lament ” and “ Vito,” by Popper. Finally, the two ladies Joined hands and gave a most attractive and musicianly rendering of JRebecca Clark’s “ Lullaby ” and “ Grotesque,” finishing up a most satisfying evening’s playing with Daufae’s “ Musette.” Of course, the encores that were demanded, the items enumerated did not cover all that was played. Saturday evening will be the last opportunity of hearing these two highly gifted instrumentalists, and an unusually clever accompanist.