DAWSON AND HAMBOURG

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21384, 11 July 1931, Page 6

DAWSON AND HAMBOURG

People are tired of the attenuated programmes served up to them at expensive prices in the name of art, according to Mr Hugo Larsen, the Danish-Australian entrepreneur, whose, plucky venture in bringing Mark Hambourg and Peter Dawson to New Zealand to perform on one platform has earned him the gratitude of music lovers. Mr Larsen says there will be something for everybody on the pro-

gramme. It is a much-needed departure, and one that will be appreciated, for it has long been doubtful if the Dominion, with its comparatively small population, can continue to support expensive one-man shows. Both artists are popular, and the very distinctness of their styles will be a relief to many people, who feel that they can have too much even of an exceptionally good thing, when it is supplied by one performer. Mark Hambourg, who is regarded as the greatest player of Beethoven to-day, has also a strong facial likeness to the master, composer, and for tins reason he has been chosen to play the role of Beethoven in- a talking drama of the great composer’s life. But apart from Ins likeness, and apart; too, from the genius of his playing, Mark Hambourg has a voice and personality that ought to be preserved for posterity. The distinguished pianist is a brilliant and witty conversationalist, and has many anecdotes of his experiences. One story that he delights in telling originated during a recent South American tour. Staying at an hotel in Buenos Aires, the following conversation rook place between Hambourg and the liftman: “I have put your picture in the lift, sir.” “So I notice, thank you.” I have told all the visitors you play well, sir.” “ Thank you.” “ I have told them nil to go to your 'concerts, sir.” “ A gain I thank you.” “If I had not done this, sir, nobody would have gone! ” Peter Dawson, who will appear on the same platform with Mark Hambourg, occupies the unique position’of being almost the first

artist to establish a reputation by the indirect method of the gramophone. He holds the world’s record in this popular respect by a comfortable margin, 10,000,000 of his records having been sold. His wonderful voice and admirable methods of using it are, therefore, familiar to many New Zealanders, a number of whom heard him on the platform in pre-war days. Though admitting that he has never been able to discover the reason why, Peter Dawson says that “ The Floral Dance ’ has been the moat popular gramophone record he has made. The Dunedin season will be limited to three concerts, Tuesday next. July 14; Thursday, July 16, and Saturday, July 18. The plans at the Bristol, where 3s day sales are also available, are rapidly filling.