THE CHERNIAVSKYS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18228, 12 November 1924, Page 10

THE CHERNIAVSKYS.

FIRST CONCERT.

Mathematicians should be able to foretell each return of 'the Cherniavskvs, after their circling of the globe, with nearly as much accuracy as they measure the celestial travels of stars and comets. Year after year the brothers move on their predestined course in a comet-like combination of the three-tailed variety, attaching to a fairly solid nucleus of shining music. And so after the lapse of three years they stood again before us last night, at the Choral Hall, hale .ind hearty, and none the worse "for their nomadio habits. Agreeing with the axiom that there may be no standing still in art, that self-sufficiency is fatal. the ques-. tion leaps foremost to the mind: "Hondo they now compare with former proofs of their attainments?" Individualities cannot be wholly suppressed, •but it behoves true artists to subject■and model them unceasingly for ideal service. Pleasing evidence was furnished last night, that such has been their n'.aeavour since cut- parting. Mischel Cherniavsky, emotional always, with a leaning towards sentimentality has contrived to restrain the latter tendency to wholesome advantage. Jan, headstrong and passionate and often carried away by impulse, now exercises a more stringent control, and Leo seems to have gained in breadth of conception and a.virile style of his own, uninfluenced bv his brothers.

One could not wholly apjjrove of the choice of programme. . It opened with sx Beethoven Trio from the Op. 70 set in which. the artistic co-operation of the brothers was of a high order, but it is one - that should be heard '' in camera"; even the Choral Hall was too large for its due effect, although the deep pathos of the "Largo," well conveyed, could even 60 net fail to strike home! A brilliant and dainty reading of ;i, Mendelssohn ' 'Scherzo' was given as encore. Heading the-solo performances, Mr Mischel's 'cello brought us Max Bruch's "Kol Nidrei," with a wonderful richness of tone, possible only with perhaps the finest, instrument we ever heard. Moszkowski's "With the Guitar," admirably contrasted between 'cello and piano and the splendid technique displayed in Popper's '"Spinning Wheel,'.' etvoked enthusiastic applause, rewarded by tfie addition cf a pretty "Berceuse'-' of his own. But all the programme numbers had been heard time without end. Mr Jan followed in his wake, with Chopin numbers exclusively. Delightfully de-. licate tone nuances distinguished the presentation of the "Nocturne in E major"; the long, sweeping passages cf the first "Study in F," the playful character of the second at great speed found excellent exposition. All were surpassed by his vigorous, well controlled. and imposing playine: of the "Scherzo in. B minor.". The demand for more could not be denied. Two more numbers, produced an addition of two Chopin valses, the one in A flat hardly in his best vein, but then, he made Up by the D. flat, wherein he substituted octaves for .the single note passages, a very "bravura" feat which few will ' venture to imitate. Again it may be argued, that Chopin only and always is lilte "tourjours perdrise," too much of good things, which a little variation might have rendered still more palatable. oMr Leo Cherniaivalty had selected a very fine sonata by Vardini, modernised by himself and played with great mastery and very fine taste. No doubt the old Italian school could be explored with profit, and many similar specimens of high art could, be added to the comparatively meagre;- repertoire of violinists. ..The 6low movements of this Sonata are of exceeding beauty, the "Allego Grazioso,'' of bewitching grace, ; altogether the Sonata stands high in artistic design,.and with such a performer should make an instantaneous appeal. Three more numbers were exacted, including Paderewski's "Minuet," transcribed for the violin, and a quaint "American Nigger Dance," in a Kreisler version, all brilliantly executed. .

The last section of the . programme, vras composed of trios specially adapted by the Cherniavskys; all familiar to concert patrons, and gramophone leavers foi - many a long, day, very tastefully executed, but calling *for no special comment. Of course, Bach-Gounod's "Aye Maria"—what a storm of indignation at the daring of Gounod it raised on the Continent at its first appearance!—figured among them and inevitably Boccherini's "Minuet,", etc.. etc.

A large audience attended and Welcomed the gifted brotherhood of musicians with great warmth and pleasure. Their season is inevitably short, only two mora concerts, to-night and tomorrow night, are to follow, and " that it pays well to hear them while you may, ther& can be no manner of doubt.