IGNAZ FRIEDMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 14

IGNAZ FRIEDMAN

PIANOFORTE PASTMASTER' The famous musical critic, A.J.S., of the “Birmingham Post,” on February 24, 1927, had the following to say ip his notice of a Friedman recital in that city: “No pianist, Paderewski, Hoffman and Godowsky included, rivals him as a producer of beautiful tone. Touch and pedalling alike are subtilised to a degree approaching the marvellous. Technically, his playing is not merely faultless; one might say that when even audaciously exploited the bloom of its perfection wins against all reason. In Mendelssohn’s E Minor Scherzo the pace, txcept toward the end, rather assisted the fairy suggestions of the music; the composer is blowing fairy trumpets here, and the dance to which they lead might well move with a wind beyond nature. That he was the finest where the interpretator in him was most tested, was a tribute to his artistry; the rarely heard E minor Sonata of Beethoven (Opus 90) was given with a beautiful appreciation of the mellowed feeling which sends a glow through his late work of the composer’s second period. From a Chopin group which drew on the studies and included the early B Flat Polonaise, he made an excursion into Brahms, and returned to Chopin for a second encore. Two pieces of his own—a Musical Box diversion, and the charming “Elle Danse,” were a reminder that he has written much for the piano. But it is as a supremely accomplished product of the Leschetitsky school that by most he will be remembered until he is here again.” Under the direction of Mr. E. J. Carroll three concerts will be given in the Auckland Town Hall on Saturday, 16th, Tuesday, 19th, and Thursday, 21st. The box plans open at Lewis R. Eady and Son. Ltd., on Monday morning, and the special attention of students is drawn to the concessions offered.

Pat O’Malley, one of the most popular of present day leading men, has the principal male role in “Let Women Alone.” a P.D.C. production to be released by First National Pictures. The film is adapted from the story “On The Shelf,” and is produced by Frank Woods. It is a comedy drama and is said to possess a wealth of goodnatured humour and intense dramatic moments. Other players in the cast besides O’Malley are Wanda Hawley, Ethel Wales, Farrell MacDonald, Wallace Beery, and many others.