The Remenyi Concert.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5219, 27 January 1885, Page 3

The Remenyi Concert.

I * i The celebrated Hungarian violinist . . Eemenyi appeared last night in the Odd- • ' fellows' Hall for the first time. His wonder- ' ful powers created the same instantaneous ■ j effect here as they have done everywhere j ! else, and the applause at the conclusion of j ; some of his solos was uproarious in the ' j extreme. There are eccentricities of j manner in Eemenyi's method, and his playing is now and then spoiled by the execu- j tion of tricks which, however wonderful they may be in their effect, can scarcely en- ! J hance the reputation of so great an artist, j j But when all is said and done there | j is no gainsaying that he can hold an ■ i audience spell-bound in a way that is pos- j ; sible to none but a musical genius of the ' very highest order. The extraordinary penetration of the Bound which he pro- ' duces, even when so soft as to be scarcely perceptible, is little short of marvellous, while as for his facility of execution — his shakes, harmonics and double-stopping, I they are wonderful. Every solo last night . was encored, the large audience being worked up to a pitch of enthusiasm such as is indeed seldom seen. His first piece was his own transcription of airs from " The Huguenots," and Schubert's lovely , serenade was given as an encore. ! His quaint budget of Hungarian melodies, with their curious national characteristics, was also re-demanded. This brought forth a touching performance of " Auld Eobin Gray," and a ludicrous imitation of bagpipe music to the tune of " The Campbells :' are Coming. " Paganini's fantasic i " Cappriccio" was the last solo, and, being j encored, as a matter of course, the artist i gave his grand " Liberty Hymn," played j with a volume of sound and breadth of tone that have never been approached. Miss Downing, who has a well-cultivated soprano; Mr Himmer, a tenor; and Mr Luckstone, a pianist of very considerable ability, are associated with M. Kemenyi. :