Wilhelmj Concerts.

Southland Times, Issue 4185, 28 November 1881, Page 2

Wil helmj Concerts.

There was a large attendance at the fourth and last concert of the series on Saturday night, although the hall was not go well rilled as it should have been. The programme was of a somewhat popular character, and was given in answer to the request of a number of residents of the to^vn and neighborhood. Mr Vogrich opened the concert with a fantasie on themes from " Norma," which was well played, although we should have preferred to hear the number which was set down for him on the programme. He also gave us another specimen of his ability as a composer in the form of an Impromptu and Waltz Brilliant. We hardly know which we prefer, as it is difficult to form an opinion on one hearing, but we are inclined to prefer the waltz. Both were ■fiuely played, and the audience would gladly have heard him again. One of Liszt's fantasies on " Rigoletto " and a transcription of Schubert's great song, "The Erl King," were hie remaining contributions. This latter piece was grandly played, and was full of wondrous dramatic force. Mr Vogrich is one of the finest pianists who have visted New Zealand, and by far the best we have heard in Invercarj.i I. We regret we have not heard him in some of Beethoven's compositions, but we suppose. experience has taught him that in small towns like this there are not enough people to appreciate the glorious music of ths great master. Miss Conron seemed somewhat hoarse in her first song, though later in the evening she stag in as good voice as ever. Her song?; " Robin Adair " and " Within a mile of Edinboro Toun," were both encored, aud for the latter she gave a beautiful " Slumber Song." Cowen's song, " The Better Land " (by request), was as finely delivered as on a former ocuasion, and wa3 decidedly the most successful vocal piece of the evening. It is needless to say that the singer was encored and that she obligingly responded to the demaads of the audience. Herr Wilhclmj played a if Reverie " by Vieuxtemps, " Auld Robin Grray," and " The Hungarian Airs " by Ernst. __In^cach case he wai encored and at the conclusion of the last piece against his name, there was such tumultuous applause and ringing cheering as have rarely been heard in Invercargill. Among his encore pieces he piayed the popular " Old Folks at Home," and a fascinating Nocturne of Chopin's. Since Wilhelmj has been here we have striven to determine for ourselves the style or school of music in which he excels, and have come to the conclusion that he is master of all schools. He has astonished and bewildered us by his amazing and easy execution of all the difficulties hitherto kmown and unknown on the violin ; he has thrilled us with the wonderful power and breadth of tone which he produces— the tones brought from his G string being more like those of a violoncello, so full and sonorous are they. He has melted us with the liquid purity and mellowness of the tones from the lowest to the highest notes of the register, and has charmed us by the wondrous fulness and richness of the harmonies he plays. We have calmly tried to find words in which to clothe our thoughts legarding his playing, but we cannot. In this we are not alone. Most of our leading musicians have simply gone " Wilhelmj mad." Many of our acquaintances also, who make no pretensions to being- musical (hard, practical men of the world), will lay their peas aside, and rub their hands in honest enthusiasm when they speak of Wilhclmj. One wonder has been that he ever came here, and we dare not hope that he will ever visit us again. In losing him, we feel as though losing a|familiar friend, so well do we seem to have known him. We wish him (and his,company also) a pleasant, tour through the colony, and can assure him that long after he has left us we shall hear in imagination, over and over again, the wonderfully entrancing and- betwitching tones with which he has delighted us.