M. ANDRE SKALSKI.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17038, 11 May 1923, Page 7

M. ANDRE SKALSKI.

THE SECOND RECITAL. The popular reception which was accorded Mr Andre Slcalski, the Polish pi: nist, on Iris first appearance here i was repeated last evening at the j Choral Hall, when he gave his second : recital. The audience was again a \ large one, and Mr Skalski won fresh j laurels by a brilliant performance. On | this occasion he played on a Steinway | grand piano, which had been specially \ brought from Wellington, j The second programme was not so ! well calculated to appeal to the popular taste as the first, but it was not deficient in musical charm. It opened with the ‘ ‘ Toccata and Fugue in D .Minor” by Bach, a very fine example of the dignified music of the greatest of all composers. The ” Toccata ” opens with octaves played with great power and speed, and develops in the most brilliant manner, leading naturally to the ” Fugue,” which is one of Be oil’s characteristic compositions. Mozart succeeded Bach, the 11 Sonata in A Major ” being the pianist’s choice. Very dainty indeed was the Audantc with Variations” (the first movement of the sonata), and it. was played with the most charming delicacy and tech nical facility. The “ Minuetto,” which is the sec-ond movement, was less interesting, but the lively “ Alla Turca,” in the Oriental style, waa refreshingly vigorous. Two numbers from the works of Beethoven were next offered. The “Largo in C Major” was played with dignity, and its tonal beauty and harmony were admirably displayed. The sparkling “ Scherzo in A Flat Minor ” was played with all the technical brilliance with which Mr Skalski is gifted. His treatment of the concluding staccato movement was wonderfully fine. The first part of the recital was con eluded by two Schubert numbers, “ Impromptu ” and the famous “ March Militaire.” The “ Impromptu ” is gracefully dec-oratcd with tlie variations oi which Schubert was such a master* and it found a capable and. sympathetic interpreter in Mr Skalski. The ” March Militaire ” is one of the horn poser's best known pieces, and many in the audience j would no doubt recall it as a favourite ; number of the late Madame Uarreno. | Mr Skalski rose to the occasion, and J presented an interpretation which was positively dazzling. He was inclined, uee the pedal too much, in i the heavy bass passages, but the high : merit, of his performance atoned for j .tins indiscretion. There was a unaniI n ous call for an encore number, and to ' the delight of everyone M r Skalski r°j srended with Rachmaninoff’s weli- | known- “ Prelude.” in the playing of ’ j which he, revealed it anew. Air Skalski is a keen admirer and sympothetic interpreter of the works of Grieg. Tlie most- of the second part or the reqital was devoted to “Twelve Lyric” pieces by that composer. Though there is a great deal of variety iu the twelve they are all typical of Grieg, whose haunting music never fails to appeal. Three of the number arc fairly well known—“ To the Spring.” “Dance of the Gnomes.” and Rcpicasure to hear them interpreted by so able and sympathetic a worshipper. The “ Rustic Ala rob ” made an appeal for its vigorous and quaint style, and : ti'.e . “Grandmother’s Minuet” re j veal eel some graceful old-world beauty. { it, was perhaps inevitable that there 1 should be a, Liszt number to conclude ! with, and it was found this time in tht> j “Tarantella.” Again Mr Skalski de- | n.onstrated Jiis remarkable technique as 1 his hands raced up and down the key- | board, pounding out the tremendous j chords, or drawing soft cascades of I silvery notes. Once more came an onj core—a pleasing little trifle which the ] pianist explained he bad “ picked up i at the Orchestral Society’s concert.” i from which circumstance the composer’s i name may be guessed. Tt has been decided to extend the ! season and to give two more recitals, i t ne on Monday next, and the other jon Wednesday. On those occasions [ special numbers will be given, in which Mr Ernest Empson, on a second piano, ! will accompany Air Skalski.