WIELAERT-PECHOTSCH CONCERT COMPANY.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 289, 13 February 1914, Page 2

WIELAERT-PECHOTSCH CONCERT COMPANY.

What undoubtedly claims pride of place as.a high-class entertainment was the concert given in Te Awamutu on Wednesday evening by the above combination of star artists. The programme was rendered by a combination possessing more than ordinary ability, embracing all branches of music, and was of a class seldom heard on the concert platform apart from those within metropolitan areas. Every item . was beautifully rendered, and was received by a thoroughly appreciative audience —so much so that each contributor had to respond to a very determined call for a double or even a treble encore. Although - the audience was not nearly so large as the excellence of the programme merited —but little over half of the seating accommodation being required those present gave ample evidence of their appreciation of each of the items by vociferous applause, and we feel sure that this highly-tal-ented combination will be greeted with a packed house should circumstances enable its present members to pay a return visit to Te Awamutu. The programme opened with a pianoforte selection, “ Polonaise ” (Chopin), by Herr Wielaert, who was followed by Miss Seccombe. This talented lady is the possessor of a charming contralto voice of sweetly rich and perfect vocal power. Her sympathetic interpretation of the purpose of her song£ introduces into her singing-a feature much to be desired. She was decidedly popular with the audience. During the evening she sang, “ Somewhere a Voice is Calling,” “The Rosary,” “Sympathy,” and “ I Know a Lovely Garden.” Madame Wielaert was none the less popular with the audience, and received quite an ovation at the conclusion of each of her items. Hers is an excellent operatic soprano voice of such range and timbre, and of such richness and feeling as to more than justify the great ovation she receiyed. In each of her items she displayed a sympathy with the song in its varying moods that conveyed a happy interpretation to the audience. She sang during the performance “II Bacio,” “My Ain Folk,” “ Good Bye,” and “A May Morning.” In the combined numbers these two ladies gave “Sainted Mother,” from Maritana, and “ A Venetian Song,” their voices blending in perfect harmony. When the card announced the entry to the stage of Herr Raimond Pechotsch there was a ■ round of applause. This clever violinist succeeds in conveying all the feeling to which his in- < strument is susceptible. His playing is a most pleasing combination of light and shade, of quick varying moods which carry his audience with it. It is ' a revelation of skill and wonderful ma’Stery of the violin, and absorbing an intensely interesting performance the resultant music filling experienced music lovers with awe and admiration. His simplest airs are delightful to hear, he introducing so many - and varying moods into the performance, but his best item on Wednesday evening was undoubtedly Mendelssohn’s famous “ Concerto.” In this difficult and varying ■composition,'' the music is so tfue and harmonious, so delightful and free, and of such depth of interpretation that it went right home to the listeners. His other items were “ Mazurka de Concert,” “ Legende,” “ Carnival de Venice,” “ Souvenir,” and “ St. Patrick’s Day.” Mr Thomas Harris, a brilliant elocutionist • and entertainer, gave several splendid elocutionary items, and introduced into the programme a widely different, though none the less enjoyable, class of performance. His ready interpretation of the various characters he so ably represented, his accent, and the wholesome nature of his items showed very clearly his elocutionary talents and brilliancy as a society entertainer. He took'for his items “ The Yellow God,” “Tut, Tut,” “The Old Man and Jim,” “On the Stairs,” “ A Deaf Man’s Blunders,” and the character sketch “ Ebenezer Scrooge,” the latter being perhaps his best performance. At ths piano Herr Wielaert proved himself a pianist of no mean ability, and displayed a brilliant disposition for the true interpretation of his items, which were “Polonaise” (Chopin) and “ Valse Lente ” (Schutt). Although mentioned last, by no means of lesser ability than the other members of the combination, Madame Pechbtsch, the accompanist, can very rightly lay claim to be an accompanist in every sense of the word. It was »pleasure to note her ease at the keyboard, affd to mark her keen and ready acceptance of the varying moods of the performers. Those persons present on Wednesday evening had the good fortune of hearing as brilliant a combination of musicians as may ever be expected to appear on a platform outside of the metropolitan areas. They readily appreciated the value of the entertainment, and marked their appreciation by the most profound interest in every item., and the hearty welcome a ccorded each performer. To those who were not present can only be extended the desire that circumstances will permit the same performers to return to Te Awamutu at an early date.