GENEROUS TRIBUTES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 18955, 4 March 1936, Page 10

GENEROUS TRIBUTES

GIFTED GISBORNE GIRL RECITALS IN CANADA (■onerous tributes to the musical gifts of the Gisborne pianist, Oriole Fa mm Aitchison. have been rendered by sonic nl the best judges of musical performance in Canada, where Mrs. Aitchison has made her home since her marriage to Mr. James Aitchison, whom she met while completing her musical studies in London. Air. Aitchison was a student, at the Loudon School of Economics, and is himself devoted to music, being a competent, performer and anxious that his talented wife should make her musical career her leading interest in life. Mrs. Aitchison was Miss Oriole Faram. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. 11. Faram. Gisborne, and she acknowledges a deep debt of gratitude to people of this district who combined t.o facilitate her musical training in London.

Since taking up her residence in Brandon, a Canadian city ill which her husband holds a college staff appointment, Mrs. Aitchison has given several recitals in Brandon and in neighbouring cities, and the reviews of her performances indicate the exlent lo which her talent has impressed prominent judges of music

"Not often is a Begina audience privileged to lieai' a pianist who commands the mature artistry, line sensibilities, and exceptional talent of Oriole Faram Aitchison. L.8.A.M.. A.8.C.M.. who appeared under the auspices of the Women's Musical Club at a tea niusicale at the Hotel Saskatchewan on Monday." stated the Begina Leader-Post,, referring lo one of these recitals. "A New Zealander. Mrs. Aitchison has had extensive training in London, and has been in Canada for only a few months. Her first number was Beethoven's F. Minor Sonata. Opus 57. (The Appassionata), in three movements. She next offered the first movement of the Sonata in B 'Mat Major.. Op. 106 (Crosse Sonata fur das Haiuincrklavier). by the same master, rarely attempted by pianists owing to its extreme difficulties. AMAZING TECHNICAL EQUIPMENT

"Tile pianist possesses amazing lech nical equipment, but at no time did she use it obtrusively, letting it obscure her many other gifts. There were no unnecessary gestures, to emphasise an emo tiona'l quality of playing, but the impression was transmitted unmistakably to the audience. Gradation to tone, sudden piano effects with shading in the soft passages, and negative accents were till appreciated with distinct efheet'veuess by the artist. Something to marv'el at, too, with her smooth flow from one section to the next, making it a wellknit balanced whole." "Brilliant and finished was the performance of Oriole Faram Aitchison in her pianoforte recital given on Tuesday evening." reported the Brandon Sun. referring to Mrs. Aitehison's first appearance on the concert platform al Brandon, after taking up her residence there. "Throughout her programme Mrs. Aitchison showed a. technique that was absolutely complete, and yet not. overpowering' her many sensistive tempera-

me>it:il qualities. There was no fantaslic gestures to emphasise emotional qualties, yet these deep feelings were brought to the audience. The artist's lii'e lias been spent in the study of music, and this exceptional training enables her to command an exquisitely coloured and finely free presentation. •'Added to natural ability and skilful training. Mrs. Aitcliisoh has personal charm and an attractive stage hearing. She feels for her audience, and carries them with her into the realms of the pure delight of music." HUNGAMAN'S TRIBUTE Apart from these newspaper appreciations of her playing. .Mrs. Aitchison received many other tributes. A Hungarian musician of great attainments was in the audience at. Brandon, on the occasion above referred to, and later expressed himself most enthusiastically concerning the effect of Mrs. Aitchison's playing. He declared that he had noticed many of the audience in tears at the close of the Appassionata number, and that lie hoped to hear Mrs. Aitchison soon again at Queen's Hall, London, and even at the Albert flail, the meccn of musical artists. The same musician expressed the opinion that. Mrs. Aitchison would effect a complete capture of musical circles in the major American cities.

Still another tribute, this time from Dr. lan Barrio, a pianist of note in Canada, referred to Mrs. Aitchison's recital at Prince Albert. "It is a considerable time since an artist had received such an ovation from a Prince Albert audience as did Oriole. Faram Aitchison at her pianoforte recital." he wrote. "To say that the audience was appreciative would he understating the effect of her artistry. Her amazing technique, her remarkable memory, am! her charming personality combined to make the recital something that will be long remembered by those who had the pleasure of hearing her." On the occasion of this Prince Allien recital, a London professor of music was in the audience, and he paid Mrs". Aitchison the supreme compliment of assuring her that he had never heard better playing than hers in the Queen's Hall, London. SUCCESSFUL CAREER,

For those who have not followed the career of Oriole Faram lAiichison from her early years, it is perhaps worth while to recount her achievements in

the musical world. Born in Oisborne, she early evinced a passionate interest, in pianoforte, and in 1927, at the age of 11 years, she paid her first visit to London, where she was able to carry on her studies for a while. She there took part in the London Musical Festival at the Central Hall, Westminster, and came first in her class, following this success by winning in the same class at Wimbledon and Brighton in turn, and carrying off the Surrey Bronize Medal for pianists under 17 years of age.

She was (hen brought back to New Zealand, and within a. year passed the final examinations of the Associated Board with honours. At the age of 15, she again returned to England, and during the next five years studied under Mr. Frederick Moore, F.R.A.M., her progress under him being marvellous, as indeed it had been under under Mr. Irvin Moore. Gishorne, brother of Mr. Frederick Moore, who was mainly responsible for her initial development. Mrs. Aitchison acknowledges her. deep indebtedness to these two splendid teachers for the tuition she received when studying with them.

In 1932. Mrs Aitchison, then a girl of 16 years, received an Associated Board scholarship, and at 18 years she obtained her performer's L.R.A.M. and the certificate of merit, the highest award the academy offers. A year later she obtained her teacher's A.R.C.M.. having in the meanwhile been successful in a. number of competitions, her awards having included a Wimbledon Silver Medal at 16 years ; a. first for pianists of 16 years at the. Bomb and West London Festival ; and a first place in an open competition if, the Central Hall, Westminster.

Music-lovers in this country will hear with interest that Mrs. Aitchison has received invitations to give recitals in many, of the Canadian cities, and that she intends later to tour New Zealand.