AMUSEMENTS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13832, 18 February 1909, Page 3

AMUSEMENTS.

ERNEST TOY. Mr Ernest Toy, the young Queensland violinist, had but a small audience at the Theatre Royal last evening, in spite of the reputation which had preceded him. The Marine Band paid him the compliment of playing outside the theatre before his concert. Mr Toy opened the programme with a duet with his sister Miss Toy as pianiste, and in his share of a sonata by Kucken gave his hearers assurance that they were to enjoy some fine violin music, He was set clown for half a dozen items, but recalls almost doubled that number, the ten or a dozen pieces played were of about as many different kinds, and they brought out perhaps all, the

excellences of his style. Musical people present lound much' to be highly pleased with in ins playing, .feriiaps ne is excelled by a few violinists who have toured New Zealand, in mere cleverness of technique, but Mr Toy evidently feels liis music, and that makes an immense difference. A high degree of skill, founded on natural aptitude and developed by diligent practice under careful training, is applied to the production of music whose quality 'is dependent upon inborn good taste and a high sense of musical expression, in regard to skill of execution, Mr Toy excels in what is called "double stopping." He makes his instrument sing in two voices, both of them distinct and clear. Several of those present said they had never heard this duet of strings under one bow so excellently done. A ecmpled pair of items may be mentioned as bringing out very well, the one the player's taste, the other his technical skill. These were, most delicately played on muted strings, a Serenade by Pierre, and Bazzini's "Witches' Dance." The pace of the latter would have left Tamo- Shanter merely as a listener too breathless to rail out to Cutty Sark had this been the tune and this the player at the, dance Tam witnessed. Mr Toy has a good stage presence, but a habit of swaying from side to side as he plays that makes it wise to listen but not to watch. He was assisted by Madame Josephine Ottlee, of Christchurch, and Mr Frank Williams, of Oaniaru, each of whom contributed a few songs. Madame Ottlee has a good voice, but site appeared to be suffering from nervousness and except in piano passages an excessive vibrato spoiled her songs. Her best perhaps was a delicate composition, "The Rosary." Mr Williams sang his songs in fine style, "My Old Shako," and a very pretty coon song, "The Owl and the Moon," being particularly good. Miss Lilian Toy played all the accompaniments, frequently, it must be said, too forcefully. In conclusion may be quoted the remark made by more than one of the audience on leaving: "Mr Toy is worthy of a full house."