FRITZ KREISLER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18367, 28 April 1925, Page 14

FRITZ KREISLER.

FORTHCOMING TOUR.

(SPXCUL TO "TH* PMSS.")

AUCKLAND, April 27.

' One of the world's greatest violinists, Fritz Kreisler, is in Auckland at present. He arrived yesterday by the Aorangi, on his way to Sydney, but will return and give three concerts here at the beginning of June. Kreisler is one of the meet exhilarating and vivacious persons it is. possible to imagine. Ho is 60, and his black moustache and upstanding hair have begun to turn grey, but ihe is like a boy'of 17 ''n his delight at seeing new lands and meeting new .people. He is never, happier than when talking pi. his art. Mrs Kreisler is an American lndy, and for years has looked after all her husband's business affairs. % _ Kreisler has but one violin'with him, a very fine Guarneriua. He owns a Stradivanus of great vahie, but that is 'in America "I do not care to bring two violins," is his explanation. "There is always a risk, and for my part I always p-ay one for a long time. One gets into harmony with an instrument, and it is not good to change often." "No, I have not opened my violin-oase on the voyage. Indeed, I play scarcely at all except at my concerts. I do not practise. That iB not to say I did not practise a great deal when I was younger. Now when I am playing a composition I feel that I am going into some new magio country, as it were. If I hod practised beforehand; I • should not feel so, and my ■playing would become more mechanical and foso its freshness. After all, to express oneself, that is the great thing. Ambition fame, and all those things I do not trouble about -them. If. they come.--good, but they aro not what matters. I feel that all we musicians nre but servants of the great masters' whom wo interpret according to our own natures, whatever t&ey may be. I have the technical equipment now to do that, but I fear I shall not always have it." , "Surelv liot?" said the interviewer. "Ah, age comes, you know," was the violinist's rcoly, "but when I fail 1 snal) still' find pleasure in hearing other people play. Art is the same, though artists come and go." , Kreisler intends to play. a number pt his own compositions here, if he finds that the public' like, them. Ho confesses , t<. being a little weary Of them himself. He has just finished a tour of the United States. After giving nine concerts in Sydney, he will sail for Auckland at the end of: May. Hi» Wellington season will be of two or three concerts, and he will givo ono concert each in Christchurch and Dunedin. His accompanist is Mr Carl La.mK>n, an American distinguished in the field of music.