MARK HAMBOURG AND PETER DAWSON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21360, 13 June 1931, Page 3

MARK HAMBOURG AND PETER DAWSON

There is hardly an important orchestral organisation in the world with which Mark Hambourg, the famous Russian pianist, has not appeared as soloist. In New York he has played with the,Philharmonic Orchestra and the New York Symphony, as well as with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, and several other celebrated organisations. In Paris he has played at the Conservatoire, Colonne. Lamoreux, and Societe Philharmonique concerts. In Berlin he has befih soloist with the Philharmonic, in Liepzig with the Gewandhaus, in Petrograd with Siloti, Moscow and Societe Imperiale, and in London with the Royal Philharmonic and Queen s Hall Orchestras. To this imposing, list may be added the Societe Philharmonic in Madrid, the Concerts Ysaye in Brussels, the Classical Concerts in Liverpool, the Museum Concerts in' Frankfurt, the Concerts Diligentia in The Hague. This astonishing summary of appearances is a tribute not only to Mr Hambourg’s high standing as a musician, but also to his consistently fine playing. It is a matter for pride that an Australian is reported to hold 1 the world s record for the .greatest number of phonographic recordings of the work, of any one’ artist. Peter Dawson has been away from Australia and New Zealand so long that many of the younger generation of musicians do not realise his nationality. Dawson, after all, has only won the success due to the pioneer. While musicians were busy discussing the efficiency and ultimate fate of “mechanical” music, he took his courage in both hands, and went ahead with the business. Some astute statistician has computed that the Peter Dawson records run into 10,000,000, and, placed side by side, would girdle the earth.

The appearance of the two famous artists on the same platform is unique. Already a very large number of applications for preferential' seats have been received, and record bookings are expected.