THE HAYDN BECK CONCERT.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 1 September 1908, Page 5

THE HAYDN BECK CONCERT.

The old saying that, " a prophet has no honour in his own country " was falsified last night, when little Haydn Beck was greeted by a very large and appreciative audience in the Opera House. Ho is .quite a child, and as simple and unaffected as aT" child can possibly be. He is unquestionably endowed with a degree of talent amounting to genius, a quiet self-possessed litle fellow of sturdy physique, too young and unsophisticated to be troubled with nerves, and gifted with a memory which is as phenomenal as it is unfailing. Those who have not previously heard him must have been astonished at his exe-r cution, the fine tone he .produced."out of his email violin, and Mis :inlelligeiii; rendering of the difficult pi^efeM: performed. His first number was a charm-• ing little " Gavotte Grazioso" 'by;"fibhiriy bracketted with " Allegro' con 1?usco": by Veracini, both of which wfer"e played with taste and expression,. "On his next1 appearance he played De BeripV6'''Violin Concerto" in three; riio^emenfe/ ;a' work which few vloliniste^except th^Se who are experienced artisfs, would careto undertake. It is a work presenting many difficulties, but little Haydn grappled with them manfully, and was, enthusiastically encored at -the conclusion of his wonderful performance.:. As an encore he gave a simple but'efrectivo little "Etude," by Fiorellb." -On I his next appearance he.:,playejd,.a vei-y;. pretty little " Serenade t'"W; his :owh?composition, showing no little promise that in the future he will be a composer as well as an executant. With ~MiM was bracketted a "Prayer," by Jieno Hubay, the devotional feeling, of, which was well reproduced by the young vio-. linist. The concluding number was a fantasia on Balfe's opera, " The Bohemian Girl," by Papini, which was followed by " Home, Sweet Home," as an encore. ......

Haydn Beck was assisted in his concert by some of our best local vocalists. Miss Mary Towsey sang "Once," -by Hervey, very artistically, her clear voice and excellent enunciation being warmly appreciated. As an encore she gave •' Damon," in each instance being accompanied by Mr Arthur Towsey. Mr H. E. Gordon contributed " The Life Boatman" (Trotere), and Mr R. El-wood-Airey gave " An Episode" and "If all t ; he loung Maidens," in whicbi he was very successful, although his p; ure tenor^ voice was heard to greater advanSif mv,'lA h6re'6r you Walk'" J>yHandel,__which he gave as an encore.' Mr JkS'l ? rt Sv ng " A lone on the Raft" 1™? J?0^) l ery P^singly, and was encored, when he gave Hawley's "The

Sweetest Flower that Blows." Mr[Stewart Austin, in addition'to his ret lv *f?arfi^ jl^ously and effectively, . gave Rubinstein's " Study in C oiTf* t,!33 a Pianoforto solo in a very" - creditable manner. y" The second concert will be given on tol^' ? 6Ptembi r Bth, whenVe hope-: to sco a bumper house. The cause i« SSde an f h°Uld to aII *™ of music, and we were pleased to see so - many present last night. Haydn Beck autho Ilia^ ff hfm on Se authority of such great artists as Ku- - behk and Marie Hall. He is now at possible .tuition is. urgently needed, andthe expense should be met by those X '■'. have every reason to feel proud that J■'i^rssstssSf has Wn aisJ: