MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 852, 25 June 1910, Page 9

MUSIC.

.(By Treble Clef.)

Carreno. Wellington is onco more to bo afforded tho privilege and pleasure of hearing the great Carreno. Though 50 per cent, of the public play th'o pianoforto more or less perfectly (or perhaps I should say imperfectly), it is not an easy matter to arouse their interest in the visits of great exponents of the art of pianol'orte-playing. 11l Carreno we have one of the finest and most 'artistic pianists in tho world —conceded by some to bo the greatest of them all—Paderowski, Paehman, and Hambourg not excepted. Carreno scores through the might of her versatility. Some pianists excel ill this or that composer's works, but Carreno's magic touch, her marvellous technique, and her brilliantly intellectual interpretations command the homage of all musicians. Carreno is to give three concerts at the Opera Houso next week —-Monday, Tuesday, and 'Wednesday. There should be. no empty seats. Sousa's Band. Tho news from Dunedin that Hcrr Bonno Scherck has arranged for Sousa's Band to -visit Now Zealand and Australia will be hailed with delight by all Idvcrs of good band music. John Philip Sousa is a distinct personality. Born in Washington, ho studied music as a boy, and made sTieli astonishing progress that ho was teaching at 15, and a conductor two Years later. Ho was a first violin in Offenbach's Orchestra when it toured tho United States, and for twelvo years—from 18S0' to IS92—was conductor of tho U.S. Marino Corps Band. In 1892 he raised a band of his own,.which has for years been regarded as the best of its kind in America. With it ho toured Europe in 1900, 1901, 1903,, and 1905, and, during those tours, lie received many decorations, including tho Victorian Order (Britain), Palms of tho Academy and Officer of Public Instruction (Paris'), and the Grand Diploma of Honour (Belgium). His conducting is magnetic, and ho is said to be able to get more out of his band than any conductor in America. Sousa, however, is known bettor throughout tho world through his compositions, and, in particular, his marches. Who does not know sucli exhilarating marches as "Tho Washington Post," "Liberty Bell," "El Cnpitan," "King Cotton," and "Tho Invincible Eagle." They are played every dav by bands and gramophones the world over. Sousa also composed a number of suites, the symphonic poem "Looking Upward," and the comic opera, "Tho Smugglers."

A Blind Pianist's Memory. Sydney audiences how have tho opportunity at tho Tiroli of hearing James Mendel, tho blind pianist, whoso extraordinary feats of memory so astonished London audiences'when ho first appeared at the Hippodrome a few years ago. When a boy Mr. Mendel, who was born in Lancashire, was sent to a blind school in Manchester, and from there went to the Royal Normal College for the Blind, whe'ro he won' a scholarship for his ploying. A lady who heard him in Lancashire was so impressed by his talent that slio gave him an introduction which led to bis being engaged for the Soulhpiirt Winter Gardens; and while lie was there llo'was hoard by a London music hall agent,- who secured him for tho Hippodrome. Here his performances aroused great enthusiasm. He not only played well, but he exhibited a marvellous memory in repeating solos played by members of the audience. One afternoon a man, in reply to the customary invitation, walked on to tho 'platform, and gave a fairly long and difficult solo. ■ Directly ho had left the keyboard the blind man sat down and repeated the performance.- When tho applause had, subsided he said, "1. will now play that gentleman's melodv in the style of Bach." The next instant the audience was laughing at a formal Bach-like interpretation of the theme; then it was anuouncd in Liszt's style, and forthwith it was moaning iuul rumbling all over the piano with a furious accompaniment that suggested a thunderstorm. Mr. -Landon Ronald, the well-known conductor and songwriter, when he saw Mendel for tho first time, put his memory to a severe test.. He sat down and played a difficult scherzo of about 40 bars long. The moment be bad finished his place was taken by Mr. Mendel, who, without tho least- hesitation, played the scherzo which he had never heard before. Mr. Landon Ronald thought this a most extraordinary exhibition of memory, and leaders will certainly agree with him. Mr. Mendel lias stored in bis memorv about 200 classic pieces by Bach, lieotlioven, Wagner. Schubert, Mendelssohn, and Gounod, besides which he has there also a great array of other pianoforte selections, ready to be played at any moment.