PAUL SCHRAMM

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20841, 27 June 1939, Page 9

PAUL SCHRAMM

A BRILLIANT PIANIST CONCERTS IN HAMILTON Rarely are Hamilton ’music-lovers privileged to hear such a gifted pianist as Paul Schramm, w’ho, after a brilliant career on the Continent, came to New Zealand a year or two ago. and since then has enriched the musical life of the Dominion. At the Toorak Hall last night Mr Schramm gave the first of two .recitals, and provided the audience with an evening that will linger fragrantly in the memory for a long time. Not only is Mr Schramm an outstanding pianist but by his friendly manner and little talks on composers and compositions. lightened by many humorous touches, he creates a wholly delightful atmosphere, that adds tremendously to the interest in his programme, making his contributions not only more enjoyable but more fully understood to the layman as well as to the advanced musician. As for students—well, such recitals must be a great education. Mr Schramm’s items last night covered a wide range. Opening with a brilliant rendering of the impressive Waldstein Sonata by Beethoven, he followed with “Papillons,” Schumann's descriptive piece of the mixed impressions of a gay reveller at a carnival, and then came Brahms' beautiful and melodious Sonata in F Minor. The modern group was very interesting and stimulating. It included “Alborado del Gracioso” and “La Vallee des Cloches” from Maurice Ravel’s “Miroirs,” the latter a very appealing composition of the peace brought by the sound of bells, and ! two illustrations (one in the classic style, the other a striking Grotesque [March) of the work of Serge Prnkofieff, official copiposer to the Soviet. For his last group Mr Schramm chose the Nocturne in B major, three Ecossaises. and* the Polonaise in A Major of Chopin, the beauties of which were fully revealed by the grace and artistry with which they were played. The pianist was applauded very enthusiastically, responding with several recall items, including “General Lavine” (Debussy), Prelude and Fugue in D major (Bach-Busoni), the quaint “Golliwog’s Cakewalk” and a Prelude by Rachmaninoff. Another Recital To-morrow Mr Schramm will give another recital to-morrow night, and there should be a large audience, for he provides a programme of rare delight.