SINGULAR HONOUR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXX, Issue 20166, 22 July 1935, Page 6

SINGULAR HONOUR

TIMARU GIRL PLAYS BEFORE MENUHIN

DISTINGUISHED ARTIST’S GENEROSITY

Yesterday morning in Christchurch Yehudi Menuhin, the celebrated violinist who is touring New Zealand, rr .de a concession which he had never done before in his musical career. He graciously granted an interview to an amateur violiniste—and that singular distinction fell to Miss Ethel Gibson, Timaru’s little blind player,, who has shown great promise as a musician. During recent years Miss Gibson has made remarkable progress in her studies which she took up five and a half years ago, and in five successive years has headed the honours list for New Zealand in the Associated Board’s examinations in her grade. Last year she won a New Zealand intermediate scholarship. It had long been her ambition to hear and meet one of the world’s outstanding violinists, and yesterday her hopes were realised. During Menuhin’s North Island tour, representations were made from Timaru to Messrs J. and N. Talt, to inquire if the distinguished player would in the goodness of his heart, grant her an interview and he replied that he would be “delighted to see her” on his visit to Christchurch. Menuhin does not grant interviews, and it was because of his sympathy with the girl in her blindness that he broke his rule on this occasion. In fact, Menuhin varied two of his strictest rules on Miss Gibson’s behalf, for during his recital in the Theatre Royal in Christchurch on Saturday night he allowed her to meet him in the artists’ room during the interval—a time at which his manager (his father, Mr Moshe Menuhin) does not permit his son to be disturbed. On that occasion Menuhin confirmed an appointment to see Miss Gibson at his suite at the United Service Hotel at 9.45 yesterday morning. Menuhin’s Fine Compliment. Miss Gibson, accompanied by her parents, Mr and Mrs J. F. Gibson, and her tutor, Mr Inglis W. Todd, was warmly received by Yehudi and his father and she was asked to play before the world’s greatest violinist. Miss Gibson played “Allegro” and “Saraband,” and concluded with a piece of her own composition. During the audition, Menuhin listened critically and from time to time he murmured one word—"beautiful.” When she had finished he paid a warm tribute to her for her excellent execution and artistic interpretation and gave her some useful advice as to the direction her future studies should take. But the famous violinist paid his finest compliment when he suggested that she should immediately undertake one of Bach’s solo sonatas, “Chaconne,” a piece which he himself is playing on his New Zealand tour. At the conclusion of the interview, which lasted an hour, he expressed genuine interest in the girl and asked her to keep him posted of her progress. He promised to communicate with her during his tours. Menuhin greatly admired Miss Gibson’s violin and said he was delighted with the fine tone of the instrument. He then showed the party his own highly prized Stradivarius which is insured for £20,000 and which bears a royal seal. Radio listeners may have heard Miss Gibson playing a solo from 3YA during the children’s session on Saturday,, evening.