THE ELLWOOD TRIO.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 817, 14 May 1910, Page 3

THE ELLWOOD TRIO.

Tho audience at the Concert Chamber last evening was not as large, as .the merits of the concert deserved.. The Ellwood trio, so young and new to the platform are a musical delight. Instrumental music such as they play is not heard'every day in Wellington, and it, is only occasionally in a decade that one has the pleasure of listening to talent such, as these wonderful children possess. - George. Ellwood, the. eleven-year--old 'cellist, is.a prodigy of whom, Now Zealand might well be proud. In Popper's "Rhapsodie Hongroise" last evening ho exhibited all that makes for a master of the instrument. His tone, technique, and the breadth of his'interpretation of the many intricate passages admirable, and the soul which shines out through his work never fails to create the utmost enthusiasm in the audience.'He also played tho "Harlequinade" of Squire, a' fantastic piece which the boy treated with'rare vivacity and' understanding." His 'encores''were Squiro's: "Prayer,".,and the same comf poser's'."Bogegnung." , Harry Ellwood, using .one of .Archdeacon; Redwood's valuablo violins,.. was. in capital ■ form, and gave. genuine delight to all present. played Wieniawski's "Polonaise," and Brahme's "Hungarian Dance," and, as encores, Drdla's "Souvenir," and d'Ambrosie's "Cazonetta." It is, _ perhaps, in trios, however, that these remarkable children will ultimately excel. There is life and meaning in their work which is instinct with the spirit of accord. In this regard mention must be made of the difficult piano parts so artistically played' by ■ Miss Polly Ellwood. The trios played . last ovening were Bachc's "D Minor" (first movement), "Norwegian/ Dance". (Grieg), and' "Le\ Cygne" . (Saint Saens), and the "Andante Religioso" of Thome. Miss Winnie Nixon, a delightful mezzo-soprano of great possibilities, sang "The Dream-maker Man" (Neven), "I-Wonder Why" (Raynard), Landon Ronald's "Summertime Cycle," the individual numbers of which are too much of a mood to be all-sung at the one timo. The strain on her lower register, was in. evidence towards the end., Her encore song,' Neven's "One Spring Morning," waa ' delightfully sung. Mr. D. Kenny played her accompaniments. -This evening the Ellwood, Trio will play the last movement in Bacho's "D Minor," Widor's' Serenade, - and the final movement in D'Arensky's "D Minor." George, will play Squire's "Tzig Tzig" and "Idylle," and - Goltremann's "Tarantelle." By special request Miss Nixon will ,sing Mascheroni's "Ave Maria," with organ and violin obbligato.The Elwood Trio and Miss Nixon will give their last' concert •in Wellington in the big Town Hall on Sunday evening. On that occasion the trio will be heard in Thome's "Andante Religioso," and Gounod's "Ave Maria." Harry Ellwood will play the Schubert Wilhelmy "Ave Maria" and the Cazonetta" of D'Ambrosio; - George; will play Squiro's "Prayer," "Lullaby," .and "Consolation," " and Miss Nixon will sing Mascheroni's "Ave Maria," and, "Nearer My God to Thee" (Carey).