FAMOUS PIANIST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 18

FAMOUS PIANIST

Backhaus’s Success in Australia AUCKLAND DATES Wilhelm Backhaus, the worldfamous pianist, who is making his second tour of Australia and New Zealand under the direction of E. J. Gravestock, Ltd., has instilled new life into the musical world of Australia with the remarkable success of his Sydney season. Backhaus's tour four years ago was a record one, but even the remarkable results attained then have been eclipsed by the results so far gained on his second tour, indicating that,

despite the talkies and the bad financial depression existing in Australia, there is still a big public for “flesh and blood” personalities, and a genuine appreciation for good music. Huge audiences have attended the eighth ' recit.>l given by the famous pianist in i the Sydney Town Hall, two of which 1 were given entirely to works by Bee- | thoven. It is estimated that over 22,000 people Lave attended these recitals. At the opening recital an enormous audience gathered to welcome Backhaus, and full houses have been the rule since. The “Sydney Morning Herald,” describing his first recital, says: “A great welcome from a great audience assured William Backhaus of his high place in the esteem of the Australian public, when he began his second tour of this country on Saturday night at the Town Hall. And this great audience found itself as completely swayed by the power of the celebrated pianist as were those who heard him in his first series of Sydney recitals about four years ago. His dignity, intellectual depth, and diversity of outlook, as well as his superb repose, even in the midst of prodigious technical difficulties, again roused prompt and enthusiastic attention. Indede, Mr. Backhaus Is so supremely

at ease that one marvels at the restraint with which the most colossal effects are achieved. This confidence and security are inspiring, controlled as they are by such imaginative power, perfection of rhythm, and breadth of style. Then, whatever the demands upon his technique, his tone is consistently beautiful in itself, and delightful in its continually varying contrasts and gradations.” Mr. E. J. Gravestock announces that Backhaus’s New Zealand tour will commence in Auckland, at the Town Hall, on Thursday, July 3, with recitals, also on Saturday, July 5, and Tuesday, July 8.

Lunch Hour Concerts Music-lovers in the Dominion will remember Alexander Sverjensky, who first visited New Zealand as accompanist to the talented Lydia Lypkovska. Married to an Australian girl, he has been settled in Sydney for some years. Last year Mr. Sverjensky inaugurated a series of lunch-hour concerts, assisted by three brother musicans. The admission charge was small. The music was extremely good. Consequently, Mr. Sverjensky and his companions profited thereby Needless to say, however, other musicians soon realised that there were still a few tired businessmen who could appreciate at least one movement of a Beethoven sonata during their luncheon hour, interspersed with interpretations from the “moderns." Imitators soon arose. Nevertheless Mr. Sverjensky’s supporters have been loyal to him. This is an innovation that possibly may appeal to some in these days of canned music. The habit of attending a midday concert once a week has c ertainly been acquired by Sydneysiders.