BOY WONDER.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 January 1924, Page 5

BOY WONDER.

AMAZING PIANIST. HIS OWN CONCERT AT 11. Sydney, Dec. 20. In little Jimmy Walker, who is only II years of age. Sydney has an amazing young musician. Mr. Stefan Polotynski, a Polish musician and composer row in this city, i.s going to take young Walker to England and Europe early :n tl.c New Year, and have him stamped W'th the hallmark of Paderewski. That, with his great brilliance, should assure hit future. Recently young Walker took part in lip second big concert, and, incidentniiy, made his debut as a band conductor. He played Beethoven's Sonata Pathetique with great feeling, although the Adagio was more within the com pass of his small Iwinds. He rendered other items, including “A Dream Prcli de" by Polotynski. He played at the concert from memory, and showed that he has technique, the power of expression, sympathy and confidence. Already a wonder, he -bids fair to become a genius. At the age of four. Jimmy, who hails from Ashfiold, one of Sydney’s inner suburbs, made hi* first acquaintance with the keyboard. His parents thought him tod young to learn, so he taught himself for a few years, and gained more than an elementary knowledge. Then came Mr. Polotynski. “As I didn’t kick up a row,” says Jimmy, “he allowed in? in the room while he was giving lessons. I watched all the time, and learnt a good bit that way.” Observing that the boy was rapidly assimilating anything about the piano, Mr. Pclotynski took him in hand about IS months ago. Seven months later Jimmy appeared in public. Even on that occasion he played difficult old classics and modern works in a manner which astonished his hearers.

•With all this praise, Jimmy is still a “boyi.sh boy.” As he seats himself at the piano with all the deliberation of a veteran, a tuft of hair stuck out in front, he looks round at his audience to command silence. When his small hands begin to play he passes into the rcdlm of magic. Off stage he talks of marbles, football, and cricket, and incidentally mentions, with humorous seriousness. that he likes a clear platform while playing. He has the professional temperament. At his last concert he could hear, while playing, a good deal of noise from people in the waiting-room. When he finished he shed some tears behind the curtains; but, after a pat on the hack from Mr. Polotynski, he returned for an encore, remarking about a parcel which had been given him, “Don’t you touch my chocolates, then.”

Mr. Polotynski has already arranged a numlidr of concerts for Jimmy in Poland, after they visit London during the Empire Exhibition. It is his wish to amass sufficient money on the Continent for his young charge to settle down and study hard. He wants him to. become a composer and conductor, as well as a player.