FIRST APPEARANCE OF REMENYI

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 234, 7 March 1885, Page 12

FIRST APPEARANCE OF REMENYI

The lovers of music in this city had on Tuesday night an opportunity of such a treat as has seldom, if ever, been presented to them before, and those members of the audience, whose taste for high-class music was not cultivated, in a high degree, as Avell as their more highly- cultured neighbours, could not fail to recognize genius of the highest order in the wonderful tones evoked from his instrument by the quiet unassuming man who was standing before them. Coming here with a reputation which has been unequalled since the days of Paganini, expectation was raised to its highest pitch, and, which is not often the case no w-a-days, the expectation was exceeded by the reality. His execution is simply wonderful, and the delicate crispness of the staccato passages and the full, rich tones produced in the harmonic movements are things to be long "remembered. His first number was a fantasia by himself on Meyerbeer's "Huguenots," embracing all the principal airs and the grace with which these were connected by fairy-like passages and occasional beautiful chords, lent an additional charm to this magnificent and wellknown opera. In response to a deafening encore, M. llemenyi gave an artistic arrangement of Schubert's lovely serenade, which, we need scarcely say, was a most finished performance. The " Hungarian Melodies " (possessing, as the music of that country invariably does, a style peculiarly its own, with its weird, wild cadences in the minor key, which gives such a charm to all cultivated tastes) were rapturously received. Perhaps the most generally popular item of the evening was the encore to the above, for which M. Eemenyi gave "Auld Eobin Gray" and "The Campbells are Coming." No one who had ever heard the jmthos of the Scotch lassies' lament could fail to be amazed at the magnificent treatment the subject received from this great master's hands. This was especially noticeable in "The Canrpbells are Coming," where the effect of the approaching- and retreatingmusic was alone worth going to hear. A '-' Cappriccio," by Paganini, was the last number, and abounding as it does with florid passages of varied style. was well cal^SHfrted to display the versatile talents of Bei|ifryi's genius. For the encore he played a 'hymn of liberty, composed by himself at the age of

4o whilst travelling in America, and dedi~ dated by him to that country. To use his own words — "The inspiration came tome whilst travelling on a delayed train, and. they were continually shunting backwards, and forwards. One of the wheels of the; carriage in which I was seated was squeaking from want of grease, and kept tip a steady tum-tum-tiini. The noise penetrated my oar. . and I could not but listen. All at once theinspiration seized me, and I composed the. liberty hymn, and played it at my next concert." If it is not too much to select where all was so excellent, we admire most his production of light and shade, and his artistic rendering of- crescendo and dimuendo-. passages. Mr Isidore Luekstone is a most brilliant performer on the pianoforte, and gave a "Norwegian "Wedding March," by G-reig Chopin's ' ' Polonaise" in A, and Liszt's. "Faust Waltz," all .of which were well received. _ This gentleman also played the accompaniments throughout the eveninoand it is impossible to praise him too highly in that most important feature of pianoforteplaying. His time was perfection itself, and. his modulation not less so. Miss Hattie B* Downing gave " Non fu Soguo," from I. Lombardi, and "Dreaming," for both of which an encore was demanded. Sheresponded to the latter with "Within a. Mile o' Edinburgh Toon." This ladypossesses a bright, clear, and highly-culti-vated soprano, and sings in a very pleasing manner, as her receptions amply testified. She also took part in a duet — " A Night in: Venice," with Mr Budolf Hirumer. This | gentleman sang BertnoldTours' "Angelatthe Window " (which we consider the vocal gera I of the evening), and " Flowers," by Bradski,. for which he received a decisive encore, and. in respone he g-ave Lassen's "Resolution 1 * ; with great taste and power. We look forj ward with great pleasure to hearing this-, gentleman again, for he i^ossesses a tenor voice of great sweetness- and flexibility.