MASTER VIOLINIST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17425, 25 November 1930, Page 5

MASTER VIOLINIST

KUBELIK SEASON CLOSED AN ENRAPTURED AUDIENCE The final performance of the short Kubelik season in Gisborne was given last evening in the Opera House, in ihe presence of a large audience, which sat enraptured through the scries of selections in which the famous violinist displayed not merely a technical mastery of his instrument such as would be expected of a worldfamous virtuoso, but also a degree of feeling that left his hearers spellbound. Outstanding in the programme chosen by Kubelik were the Tschaiskoiv,ski concerto, and the Paganini concerto, both being compositions that make heavy demands upon the performer, and call for the highest technical equipment in their execution. Of the Tschaikowski concerto, perhaps the greatest appeal lies in the second movement, in muted tones, the wonderful calibre of Kubelik’s instrument being specially notable* in this passage. In the later concerto, which is regarded us the most, striking composition by the famous virtuoso of the early lilt'll century, and one of the most dillienlt compositions in the world of violin music, Kubelik was equally impressive. it abounds in every imaginable difficulty for the instrumentalist, yet conveys to the audience a (dear message of melody, streaming through Ihe amazing series of decorative scroll work in which the concerto abounds. Keen as was the public appreciation of these main items, however, neither was more popular with last night’s audience than the andante composition written by Kubelik himself, or the. romance by Mozart, which were also included among the programme numbers. Those Mere selections in the quieter vein, ami proved most acceptable to the audience, their emphasis upon melodic t lieines being possibly more to the taste of the majority of Kubelik’s hearers thal the intricate decorative passages of the more impressive numbers. The master violinist covered a wide field in his choice of programme, as a matter of fact, and there was some item of keen interest 1o every one present. For instance, lie provided, in response to numerous requests, the Schubert setting of “Ave Maria” as an encore towards the close of the performance, and there was not a heart in the audience that diet not stir to the glorious tones of the violin; again, there was the Spanish dance composition by Saint: Snons, full of light and tuneful rhythm, anil three or four other selections of varying character, each of which had many special admirers. Tbn concert was a huge success from start to finish, and Kubelik him- j self must have been gratified to find so nuu;h appreciation in a centre where so few of the world’s leading artists have been heard of recent years. If there was one point in which Jast night’s audience was not fully and completed v satisfied, it was that many would willingly have heard more of the pianist who accompanied Kubelik with rare sympathy and skill. Otto llasa made a place for himself ill the [regard of Gisborne music-lovers, and at the close of last night’s programme, then* was warm and prolonged applause when it appeared lor a low moments that lie was to appear as a. soloist. j