MISS MAUD ALLAN AND THE CHERNIAVSKYS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14978, 21 May 1914, Page 8

MISS MAUD ALLAN AND THE CHERNIAVSKYS.

Two movements of the remarkably clever Arensky Trio opened the programme of last night's performance at tho Theatro Royal, the beautiful "Etegio," in -which particularly the lovely tone of the Strad. 'cello was atone with Mr Mischel Cherniavsky's romantic conception, and tho fiery Finale, all "very artistically played by the threo brothers. Then came Miss Maud Allan's first number of the Grieg series, tho lore-poem named "Erotic." An almost spectral, ail-veiled virginal rorm stands motionless, indicating tho untouched soul, slowly unveiling and succumbing to a first- awakening that is almost severely piesented with a blush and again moaestiy hidden. In '"Little Birds" she seemed to hear tho songsters on every side, and tho "Poetic Tone Picture" was fancifully conveyed. Later in the Chopin Studies the C. Minor, styled for the purpose "A Soul in Bondage," seemed almost too for the expression of a restricted sentiment, but the poetical suggestion made and carried out in regard to the G Flat Study, presented again a wholly charming picture, the graceful movements accompanying it light and airy, as if on wings. Her final appearance, in which the "Barcarolle" from the "Tales of Hoffman" and Chopin's "Nocturne" in F sharp were repeated, brought as a novel and exquisite feature a sparkling and wayward "Norwegian Dance" by Grieg in graceful and, later on, passionate delineation of the idea embodied in it. Mr Miscliel played emotionally tho fine '-Cantabilc" by Cvi, "Arlequin," by Popper, so far the number from tbe pen of the now departed iamono 'cello virtuoso, with appropriate spirit and the musically rather shallow "Broken Melody" of van Biene's. The impassioned "ballad" in G minor, by Chopin, was impetuou-i' r.nd brilliantly given by Mr J ah, who, as an encore, added the E minor Yalse by the same composer in the proper capricious style. Mr Leo's reading of two movements from Max Bruch's very attractive Violin Concerto, proved him to bo a virtuoso in the best sense of the word, distinguished by an admirable self-control and a fine musical sense. As encores were contributed, the playful "Humoreske " by Dvorak,- and a theme by Corelii, with rather too modern, though clever variations by Kreissler, excellently performed. Mr Frank St. Leger was as usual a painstaking and satisfying accompanist. The audience wa* large and highly appreciative