A CHRISTCHURCH VIOLINIST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11578, 23 December 1915, Page 3

A CHRISTCHURCH VIOLINIST.

RETURN OF MISS FLORENCE SCAPENS. A fen yeai\s ago Ghrisi church numbered anioug its young exponents of the violin a very clever little girl named Kloronce Scapens. She showed such promise that- her parents were advised to <nv r o her every opportunity, and. alter ji farewell concert the little lady, .accompanied by her mother, lei-L for London. Miss Scapens studied in fLoudon. and last year h;id made lucrative engagements, but owing to the outbreak o>' war. and' the -subsequent disorganisation of normal conditions, parr.-.culai ly in musical matters, her engagements luul to be cancelled, and she decided to return to tho Antipodes. With inducements to visit Australia, Miss Sea pons went to Melbourne, whore she resided for several months, during which she fulfilled' many engagements, and yesterday she returned to her home in Christ,church, " hungering," as she said to-day. for home associations again and lor a short respite from her more serious work. Miss Scapens has become a most accomplished young violinist, and has achieved considerable success. The Melbourne " Age," in its comments concerning Miss Scapens's debut at Robert Parker's first concert in Melbourne: '"Miss ? lorence Searpini"—• Seni pini is the professional name adopted. by the young soloist--" a brilliant young- violinist from Lond'on, who is but seventeen years of age, played in such ro?narkable manner as to extract from the wildly enthusiastic audience a demonstration of applause that made her debut in Melbourne a brilliant artistic success." The "Bulletin" referred to her as " the hidden treasure of the Parker concert company who has temperament to add to a stock of genius which some day ought to make a fl.ire in the world."

It :s very evident that. Miss Scapens has accomplished much in a few short years, and as she is still so young there is every prospect of a brilliant future for her. Miss Scapens told an interviewer that she first studied at the Royal College in London, but for a. short time only; then a period was spent at the Guildhall School of Music. Eventually she was placed under Signor di Ora.ssi (a pupil of \saye and Joachim), and she also studied with Marcel Bonneniain, to both of whom she felt sho owed so much. Sipnor di Grassi expressed regret that she had decided to leave Ensland and advised her to return as early as possible. " Yon have great opportunities," lie told the young violinist. Miss Scapens explained her course of studies in technique, tone production and in interpretation, and mentioned that her repertory now included such •standard works -as Max 'Orach's " Concerto in G Minor," Lalo's "Symphonic Espangnole," Saint-Saens's "Concerto in B Minor," Bach's unaccompanied sonatas and " Concerto No. 2" and the, Braham "Concerto." It also included a largo number ot compositions differing in style, some pretty, delicate and light, others of more fiery character and of brilliant design. Slfe believed that her tone and executive capacity had developed equally ; but that was a matter for others to judge. Miss Scapens mentioned the names of many of the great musicians that she had heard. Those included Sysave. Kreifder, Thibaud, all master violinists of varying character, each profoundly interesting in his own way; besides Miss Marie Hall, who has made considerable advancement in her art, according to Home critics, since she visited New Zealand, and Miss Isold Menges. a young violinist., a. native of Brighton, England, who has made a great reputation. Miss Scapens. when referring to Miss Menges, emphasised

tlirt value of encouragement by wealthy patrons of art. Sho said thai, Miss Mongcs had been heard at. an ordinary performance by a musical enthusiast who was rich. This patron of music had been so impressed with the, possibilities of tho English girl that he made arrangements lor her to receive tuition from Auor, a noted Russian master, and she was sent to St Petersburg to study under his direction. Later the same patron presented her with a, Si rad'vnrius violin valued at. i"200(), and to-day, at twenty-five years of age, Miss Mcngcs was one of the queens of the violin. Miss Scapens. hoard several renowned pianists, including flupsoni, Backhaus, Pachniann and Madam Carreno, and had iiegleo.icd no opportunity to bear artists in other branches of the art. She described "Little Solomon." the eleven-year-old boy violinist, whose playing of Tschaikow,sky's "Concerto f"r \ iolin '' with Laudon Ronald's Orchestra was nothing short, of being marvellous. She- had board tho Queen's llall Orchestra, many times, under Sir Henry "Wood, and considered the performances could not Ih> excelled anywhere. French music and French methods were- becoming . popular at as- they deserved to lx>", she cousicTere'd, and the day of tho German domination in nuisio was-, s lic believed, gone for ever. She heard Kreisler play Elgar's " Concerto" and the Beethoven " Concerto/" fincN-onsidered the performances inspired. ''Tn his way," said Miss Sea pons, lvreisler is fi little god." After her debut in Melbourne, Miss Scapens felt she had excelled herself and believed then that she had promise of achieving something, for Madam Mclba. came, to her and said, Talro this, child." plucking a bunch of roses from her breast; "it; is all I have; you deserve *?. You have played beautifully." Such, praise from so renowned an artist was inspiring and most encouraging. She felt she could work for over to advance in her art. Miss Scapens said she fully realised her shortcomings, but the years though .still very young' with hor, were broadening her mind and enabling her to view the musical landscapo in clearer perspective. Thero was much for her to do, but she would continue her, work enthusiastically. Questioned as to her future movements, Miss Scapens said that., in the meantime she intended to rest "and enjoy the delights of home life with her people. She would probably give a concert in Ohristchurch later, and ultimately hoped to return to' England. But owing to the war she could not say. at, present, what her future movemenis would be. Engagements were awaiting her in .Australia, and she | might accept these, but for a time she intended to enjoy the freedom which her return to Christchurch would give her.