THE CHEVALIER DE KONTSKI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5699, 19 October 1896, Page 4

THE CHEVALIER DE KONTSKI.

FINAL CONCEET. The Theatre Edyal was packed downstairs and nearly full in the dress circle on Saturday night, when the Chevalier de Kontski gave the third and last concert of his season in Christchurch. M. de Kontski's first selection was the allegro from Weber's Sonata in D Minor. Evidently he has a preference for the music of Weber, and certainly he plays it as only an artist who really loves it can. The opening bars were particularly clear and precise, while . a lovely melody, which every now and then made itself apparent, served once again to illustrate the eminent pianist's exquisitely tender touch. His souvenir .from '.' Fawst,. which was played 'by request, again aroused the greatest enthusiasm, and it 'was, in' every" sense, a very fine' piece of execution. As an encore he played Weber's " Moto Perpetuo," which he had x^erformed on the previous evening. But, perhaps, the lovely andante with variations, from Beethoven's Sonata in A Flat, was even more enjoyable. The intricate variations were played with extraordinary ease and clearness, while the concluding bars of the slow movement were most impressive. Some reminiscences by himself on motifs of Schubert, which included the " Adieu " and the serenade, were very, tenderly and delicatelyplayed, while "The Hunt," one of Mendelssohn's " Songs Without Words," and Schumann's " Tarantelle," very different in character from the previous number, served as excellent examples of the player's great command of rhythm. Previously, it may be mentioned, he had played as an encore Weber's " Last Waltz ;" indeed, one of the features of his concerts has been his kindly readiness to comply to encores. Mrs Burns was hardly in such good voice as usual, but she sang "Golden Springtime." by, Kalliwoda, to which Mr F. M. Wallace played a violin obligato, so tastefully that she was recalled, and she repeated the last verse. "Salvator Eosa," by Gomez, suited her better, and another encore was responded to with Denza's "A May Morning." Mr F. M. Wallace, who was in better form than ever, played as an encore for Wieniawski's " Legende " the same composer's "Mazourka." It is not too much to say, however, that Sarasate's " Zigeunerweisen " was one of Mr Wallace's finest efforts since he came to live in Christchurch. So good indeed was Mr Wallace's playing of the intricate music with which the number abounds, that he received a tremendous encore, to which he responded by playing Eaff's " Cavatina." Mr F. R. Woodhouse was encored for his singing of "The Yeoman's Wedding Song," and replied with " Tom Bowling," and later on he was recalled for " I Trust Her Still," a pretty modern love song by Barnard, and sang "A Farewell Song." Miss C. Lingard again played the various accompaniments. During the evening it was announced that the Chevalier de Kontski will, if circumstances will permit, give a concert on his return from Dnnedin on Thursday.