"THE WELLINGTON FOUR."

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1768, 5 June 1913, Page 6

"THE WELLINGTON FOUR."

IN CONCERT. A thoroughly enjoyable concert of high standard was given in tho Town Hall last evening by tho "Wellington Four," an alliance formed by Messrs. Herbert 13loy (violinist), Baxter Buckley (pianist), Prank Johnstone ('cellist), and Hamilton Hodges (baritone). All four names are familiar enough to 'Wellington concertgoers, but it is not often that all four names appear on the one programme in such a variety of music as was the case ilast evening. Although the audience was not so largo as might well have been anticipated, it was coiiipensatively enthusiastic, .Hid If, psr fnvonr of the public, I Hie alliance js permitted to continue in | existence, 'Wellington should not laclc I concerts during tho winter months. Tlw quality of tho three instrumentalists was displayed in an excellent performance of two movements of Gode's Trio—larghetto con moto, and allegro schc-rzando—which was most artistically interpreted. The same three wero associated in a graceful performance of Tosti's "La Serennta." Mr. Herbert Bloy selected as his first number the "Serenade Andalusa," of Sarasate, a melodious composition characteristic of the Spanish virtuoso and composer. The "Serenade," which has a guitar-like accompaniment (nicely played by Mrs. Bloy) was warmly encored, and the result was a wholly 'delightful performance of Sarasate's tricky "Zapalejulo," played with pleasing abandon. Later Mr. Bioy delighted his auditors by his expressive playing of a beautiful "Blegie," by Ernst, a work full of feeling, and compelling in its musical strength. In response to an encore Mr. Bloy played a lively gavotte bv Gossec. Air. Baxter Buckley is a lielaMv good exponent of tho music of M'Dowell, the finest composer America has produced for a generation, and to whose memory (now lie is dead) memorials are being raised in several centres of his country. It was with the greatest pleasure that Mr. Bucklev was heard initially in that composer's "Hcxentanz," with its maze of rippling runs at the top of the keyboard. Precision, absolute accuracy, and delicacy of touch were Mr. Buckley's in this piece. Then followed the "Polonaise" by the sum: l composer. The "Polonaise" lias become a classic in the land of its birth. An encore produced the "Cappriccio" of Seartalli, brightly plaval. Mr. Buckley's numbers also included a brilliant "Scherzo" by Glicre, a captivating "Staccato Caprice" (Vogrich). and an attractive "Caprice" by Zjaborjafl'ski. Mr. Frank Johnstone, who was in good form, plnyejl Iho familiar "Khapsodie Ungarisclie" of Popper with oa---o and polish. His encore number was tb" charming "IVicgenlied" of Schubert, which he plaved very sweetly with tho 'cello muted. Mr. Johnstone also played Saint-Saens's "Lo Cygne," and Crcssmann's "Tarantelle." He was aecompanird by Mrs. Johnstone. At times last evening Mr. Hamilton Hedges' sustained pianissimo notes became inaudible to tlio'x? silting well back in the hall, ami the onlv notification one had that tho ■;ong was finished was the sound of the last letter of the word. His general conception of Somerset's "Song of Sleep" was distinctly good, but the effort to emphasise unduly certain new points in hi.s reading almost balanced his creative virtues. He was much better in "Glorinna." a bright, vigorous song of jov by Mallinson, and was still belter in that'uncommonly tino c-oncr. "Once at the Angelas" (Arthur Foote'l. Mr. Hodges also sang (lire,'-songs bv the prolific Lolir—"You Loved th" Time of Violets," "Eyes that Used to Gaze in Mine." and "Youth has a Harpy Mrs. Ernest IT. Qucree accompanied artistically.