KREISLER.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18406, 12 June 1925, Page 11

KREISLER.

EXTRA CONCERT ARRANGED. Hundreds have gone down to tho Bristol Piano Company to book toat* for" Kreislcr and como away dismayed and disappointed. The simple reason for their dismay is tho fact that all the reservation.* have gone and all "that remains arc tho day tales in tho gallery at 7s Ed. Kreislcr was. acquainted of thi3 fact by his manager, Mr Camdei Pratt, and 'the bij man at one© did-the. bi» thing. Ho said.that, if Christehurch showed such trust in him, then he, in return, tron'd offer Cbristchurch an extra concert. All the way down ICew Zealand he has bee-n entreated to give return concert', but has always had to rcliise. Christchurch h the favoured city.

Mr Kreisler caun-r.t give any formula for eminence in art. "When one walks ovtt oil the platform and plays, he becomes absorbed in his music," he siys. "That absorption is something within oneself over "which ■ be. has no control. What it is;we:do-nol know. Just as the orator communicates with his audience without being ab'e to, explain how he osflU his spell, so the musician communicates with his. There are circumstances; beyond our control which influence our playing. A_ now audience, a different hall, altered climatic conditions—all: these affect an artist's work." Constant rehearsal, he was quick to explain, docs not offer itself as a solution of the problem. Indeed, ho ia ox opinion that rehearsing esn be carried too far. "Anyone who. practises overmuch will become a slave of the mechanical side of his art. and rub the blo->m from his imagination," i 5 his dictum. He.-agrees that whon the artist is absorbed in hU work, the weir and tear of his life are exceedingly. heavy. "Invariably after a concert I am absolute-'y exhausted.'' he eays, "and I have. seen the eame result in the'case of., brofner."artists. But lira gladMo say that-these- effects do not last Ion?." • In_ such-moment*, he admit*, he often (lies for recreation 1o the work* of tho o'd Greek and" Latin .authors, tho lovo for which he, has .retained from hU'ColWe r 7 j' " Co "'d aivlhing bo moro: delightful," he demands, "than to fit at r.?.so-poring over one of these vonerab'.o volumes with their fine old bindings " .