PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 8

PIANOFORTE RECITAL

VARIED PROGRAMME.

MR PAUL VINOGRADOFF.

The recital given in Begg’s Concert Chamber last evening by Paul Vinogradoff, the Russian pianist, was fairly well attended. Compositions from both the classical and modern periods figured on the programme, which was a comprehensive one. M. Vinogradoff is a clever technician, and he has musical interpretative instinct developed to a marked degree. Last evening he showed his appreciation of the contrapuntal majesty of Bach, the poetry of Chopin and the vigour of Rachmaninoff, and played numbers of his own compositions which were original in material and interesting in construction. The programme opened with the Bach-Busoni chromatic fantasy and fugue. The musician gave a refined and intelligent reading of this beautiful work, which was probably the highlight of the evening. Beethoven’s wellknown “Appassionata” sonata followed, played with fine technique and complete abandonment to the mood of the moment. M. Vinogradoff is a sensitive interpreter of Chopin, a quality which gave distinction to his playing of the Ballade in G Minor, Nocturne in C Minor and Waltz in A Flat. The compositions were played with delicacy and grace. By emphasis of depth and adroit handling he was able to bring out the subtleties of Chopin so often lacking in the readings given by present day pianists of the great composer s works. „ . , . Before playing five pieces from his “Childhood Recollections,” the musician explained that they were written when he was very young. This procedure was gratefully received by an audience accustomed to the robot-like detachment of foreign virtuosos. These contributions were suggestive of fair and sunny days with never a cloud to darken the blue. Tlie last piece, which the composer termed “Playing at Horses,” was played with captivating charm. To adequately present the works ot Rachmaninoff the pianist must have an art possessed of the verities of sincerity, understanding and beauty of conception. His Prelude in G Minor was played with that something which distinguishes the true artist from the mere executant. Three studies of Scriabin followed. The musician played with understanding and brought out the spirit of the composer’s work. It is a saying in high musical circles: “Study Liszt for style; Brahms for musicianship.” M. Vinogradoff thoughtfully included Liszt in his programme, and thrilled his audience with a masterly presentation of the Second Hungarian Rhapsody with a cadenza written by himself. Compositions from Rachmaninoff and Liszt, played by request, concluded the programme. Yesterday afternoon M. Vinogradoff gave a recital to the pupils of the Southland Boys’ High School.