A BRILLIANT PIANIST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21383, 10 July 1931, Page 10

A BRILLIANT PIANIST

MISCHA LEVITZKI’S SECOND RECITAL

Scenes of remarkable enthusiasm marked the second appearance of Mischa Levitzki in the Concert Chamber last evening, when another large audience assembled to participate in the musical feast provided by the pianist. Once again the audience was charged by Mr Levitzki’s superb artistry and thrilled by his masterly technique, and towards the latter portion of the evening the demands for encores were unusually insistent, Mr Levitzki being required to respond with eight extra numbers before the audience was to any degree satisfied. The concert opened with a masterly performance of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue. Throughout the first section of the composition the superb technique of the musician was given ample demonstration, his articulation being precise and fluent, without the slightest suspicion of hardness, whilst in the contrapuntal movement, which was played at great speed excellent balance was achieved, and the climaxes received masterly treatment. In the charming Gluck-Brahms Gavotte in A major Mr Levitzki proved that he is a tonalist as well as a technician, the grace and dainty beauty of this composition being given wonderful expression. Schumann’s Symphonic Studies, perhaps the most masterly arrangement of air and variations composed for the pianoforte, was one of the outstanding numbers in a performance which was remarkable for its , general excellence. The simple opening theme, followed by nine variations, each one an exacting test of technique and tone control, received a performance in which superb artistry and brilliant musicianship were reflected in the constantly varying vehicles for the dominant theme. A masterly interpretation of the finale concluded a memorable presentation, which was greeted with a tremendous buret of applause. The second section of the programme consisted exclusively of Chopin’s works, the opening number being the expressive Nocturne in C minor, which was excellently delivered, the varying moods of this composition being presented with rare feeling and expression. Two brilliant studies, Etude in C major, and Etude in D flat major, followed, the former being a charming and expressive number, in strong contrast to which was the brilliant and glittering construction of the latter. The Mazurka in A flat major, a composition of haunting charm, received very thoughtful treatment, whilst immediately on .its heels came swift contrast in the form of the majestic Polonaise in A flat, whose martial spirit and intense dramatic power received an interpretation which constituted a further proof of Mr Levitzki’s remarkable familiarity with the requirements of Chopin. In response to repeated demands for encores Mr Levitzki presented the Waltz in G flat, and the “Black Keys” study. The opening bracket of the third section of the programme consisted of three delightful numbers by Debussy. The bracket was introduced by the brilliant Arabesque, which received very delicate and charming treatment, the second number being “ The Golliwog’s Cakewalk,” a quaint and attractive composition of unusual construction. The Debussy bracket was concluded with the inconsequential, though very beautiful, “La'Fille Aux Cheveux de Lin.” A splendid finale was provided in the Schulz-Evler arabesques on the Blue Danube Waltz, one of the most exacting concert pieces arranged,for the pianoforte. The brilliant and colourful embellishments of the famous old waltz were given a masterly performance, demonstrating to the highest degree the pianist’s remarkable technical skill. The encore numbers at the conclusion of the concert constituted a recital in themselves. The spark ling “ Jeux d’Eau ” (Maurice Ravel), with its constantly changing colour and move ment, was followed by “ La Campanella, always a particularly popular concert se lection, in which Mr Levitzki once more showed his complete mastery of technical' difficulties. The beautifully meditative Nocturne in F sharp major was succeeded by the airy and graceful “ Butterfly "’ Study, Liszt’s Hungarian Rhapsody No. 6 concluding a most enjoyable recital. EXTRA CONCERT TO-MORROW. In order to meet the great demand for tickets, Mr E. J. Gravestoek has arranged for Mr Levitzki to give an extra concert in the large T°wn Hall to-morrow night, when the famous pianist will make his final appearance in New Zealand prior to returning to America. A special programme has beep arranged for this occasion, -and includes Beethoven’s famous Sonata in C (“ Waldstein ”), Prelude and Fugue in A minor (Bach-Liszt). a Chopin group including Fantasie in F minor. Nocturne in F minor. Four Preludes, Waltz Brilliant in A flat major, Brahms’s Rhapsody in G minor, Scriabin’s Poeme, and Etude in D sharp minor, Mr Levitzki’s own composition “The Enchanted Nymph,” and Liszt’s Rhapsody No. 12. Many additional numbers will doubtless be given by the popular pianist, for his generosity in this direction is well known. Mr Gravestoek is making; special arrangements for parties of school children to attend the recital, as Mr Levitzki is anxious that the music teaching in schools shall be encouraged as much as possible, and hopes that his playing will be a stimulus to the young students. Box plans are at the Bristol and day sales at Begg’s.