MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1085, 25 March 1911, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bv TuiiDLE Clef.) A Plctl-.ora of Conssrts. It is a freak night in Wellington when there is not a tonccrt.. 'lho season opened early this year—it came with tho ides of March, and looks like staying. Vocally wo havo been feasted by Miss Amy Castles and Mdlle. Dolores. Orchestral!}' wc have had great, pleasure in listening to the Wellington iihinicipal and Wellington Professional Orchestras, and tho first of a trio _of Chamber concerts was given on Wednesday evening last. Dolores sang at the Opera House on Thursday and Friday nights, and this evening 31. Eugene Ossipoft, the fiery Russian baritone, who carries bombs in his coat-tail pockets, and is no end of a. fellow in his love songs, will exhibit his Slavonic temperament and curiously uneven, yet striking, voice at tho Opera House. He will be assisted by Miss Rcnco Lees, a cljvcr accompanist, .and Miss Ilia Gow, solo pianist. M. Ossipoff will be remembered as the,associate of Mr. Lawrence Campbell, in some recent rccitals

An Auckland Aspirant. Miss Kitty Campion left Auckland for Europe for two years' study on Monday last. It is very seldom that a prophet has any honour in his own country, but since it lias been discovered that .Miss. Campion is possessed of an exceptional voice, she has had 110 ground for complaint as to her support and reception in Auckland, for a groat_ number of lovers of music not only wish her well, but have shown a deep interest in supporting her concerts, which I am pleased to state have been a financial success. Of course, there may lie. a few who predict that Miss.Campion, like several others, will go Home and will not bo heard of again in tho musical world. This, however, is not tho general opinion, and in addition we have tho authority of Madame Calve, who gives it as her opinion that the young singer has a beautiful voifce, which only requires development under tlic tuition of the great masters. Miss Campion's i'uturo carcer will be watched with interest. She is not the exception in her family, as her elder sister, Miss Molly Campion, was well-known in Australasia as having a beautiful soprano voice, and appeared on several occasions in grand opera, prior to her marriage. Miss Gertie Campion's carcer in comic opera is too well known to require any comment.

Tho Liszt Centenary. This year is the centenary of Liszt, who was born in Hungary on October L' 2, 1811. The com.niemoration is likely to bo a brilliant affair. Liszt's services to music were great. He summed up the entire development of paino technique in his achievements, was tho greatest virtuoso of the past century, to whose influence all piano playing since has been obliged to acknowledge its indebtedness.. In addition, his services in breaking away from symphonic tradition, in achieving propaganda for various composers of epoch-making works, including Wagner, in giving himself up as teacher without remuneration, are equally significant. Pupils Hocked to him; ho held a sort of musical court at Weimar, and was treated with tho respect due to rovalty. Ilis later years were full of activity and generous sympathy to all that .was worthy, and he was tho constant object cf lioniago and aficction. In 18S6, Liszt became overtaxed by a series of trips to hear his own works performed, including a reception in his honour at London. Ho also made exceptional eflort. to attend a performance of "Tristan and Isolde," at Bayreuth. A cokl was speedily followed by pneumonia, from which he died 011 July 31, 1886. Liszt's character was remarkable for its conspicuous virtues and almost equally prominent faults. His was a large,'noble nature, with deep humanitarian traits. His life was one long service to his art, accompanied in his later years by devotion to the Church. Though • not highly educated, exeent in experience of men and the world, he had an extremely keen mind, omnivorous in tastes, and his interests were wide and penetrating. Perhaps his salient characteristics were generosity and unselfishness. Often during his career as a virtuoso he gave freely I lie proceeds of his concerts to charity. His help to younger artists was incalculable in its extent. As comluctod at AVeimar his motto was to help living composers lirst, and by his energy lie did valiant work in helpinsi Warner's cause. Largely endowed with wit, a fund of irony and charm of manner, men and women alike almost, literally fell at his feet, and it is 'all the more admirable tint in suite of the homage so unsparingly lavished upon him, he did not swerve from his artistic purposes. Liszt's rank as a composer was undoubtedly overshadowed by his fame as a pianist, and by his great facility as an arranger. For manv years neither critics nor public would acknowledge his creative gifts. Yet he rendered an inestimable service to the development of music in breakiu!? away from the sonata form, and in demonstrating tint form and substance can go hand-in-hand without detriment to organic uniiv ami coherence. Thus I.is/.t's share in the evolution of ultra-modern orchestral music, as well as in the development of piano playing. i« very important, and tlie groat*'.* livii'.r "■ompos"r. Richard although ;, i(luci:ecd bv Berlioz "lid Wa>'."""-, lvmvs himself to be a disciple of Liszt.