THE ELLWOOD TRIO.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1857, 17 September 1913, Page 10

THE ELLWOOD TRIO.

A BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE.

The Ellwood Trio, after their first concert at the.Town Hall last evening, must, in our estimation, take their stand in tho front rank of instrumentalists, and bo judged .accordingly. They have nothing to fear in being so classed —that was made abundantly clear last evening when tho performance of every number proclaimed the value of the training thesq clever Ohristchurch children have undergone on tho Continent during the past three years. They return, each ono, with a vastly improved technique, an added polish and refinement, and an interpretive capacity which cannot but excitp the liveliest enthusiasm and admiration. Three years ago they were hailed as children of abnormal talent and of the correct artistic temperament, but to hear them play a Haydn trio as they did last evening, at once convinced the discerning tliait hero were three young artists of a very high rank indeod, fit to rank with almost any professional trio heard _in Wellington for many years. Tho flowing serenity of tho- Haydn number with its Old World cliarm and simple scheme of harmony, was delightfully suggested, and fully merited the ovation which followed. They were equally finished in tho Gade trio "Allegro Modesto," which was played with admirable vcrvo and expression. Tho good wctrk exhibited in tho trios was, of course, the direct result of individual adva.nce, plus constant rehearsal with sucK worldfamous artists as Jean Gerardy, Kreislor, and others, with whom tho Ellwcods camo into close contact in Berlin. Possibly Harry Ellwood, the violinist being the eldest and therefore possibly moro intellectually alert to his opportunities, has benefited most. He fairly charmed tho audience with his mastery-of technique, his brilliant execution, aud tho striking evenness of his tone. From the rich, full notes that swelled forth from tho G string, to ,tho delicato harmonics, ithore was never a flaw or scrape, and added to a rare degree of sympathy, he arrested attention by tho decision and boldness of his style. Tho bowing difficulties of the Kreisler's transcription of Tartini's "Variations" were overcome with ease, itho Tscliaikovsky "Melodie" was intoned with a wealth of feeling, aijd Hubay's quaint "Scene do la C Saradas," with its broken tempo and sharp contrasts, » was played with delightful abandon. Enthusiastically recalled he played Gossec's "Gavotte" with extreme daintiness, and, . still again recalled, a melodious' "Poem" by Fibick. In tne second half he played the Martini-Kreisler "Andantino" and the tricky "Caprice" of Paganini, in which !bis double-stopping was beyond criticism. Georgo Elhvood, the highlytemperamental 'cellist, has deepened tho measure of Ihis artistry considerably since lie last played in Wellington. There is a deal more volume in his tone without any loss of that fine expressive quality which seemed to bo inherent in the lad. Although slightly indisposed last evening ho amply demonstrated his his acquisition of a fine finish and interpretative insight. His technique was capitally displayed in the agitated- passages of Van Gocn's lively "Scherzo"; there was dignity and soul in his reading of the familiar "Traumerei" of Schumann; and Popper's grotesque "Mazurka" was delightfully played. For pure tone liis playing of SaintSaens's "Lo Cygne" was perhaps as good an example of the boy's exceptional emotional capacity as anything he played, althoiigh ono would like to broacket that number with Schubert's "Weigenleid." Popper's "Hungarian Bhapsodio" marked his' advancement in the more august music for tho 'cello, and presaged his ability to mount to a still higher plane. _ Miss Polly Elwood, the pianist, is an invaluable member or tlie trio. Her accompaniments were a feature of the concert, and in the trios she fthowed a delicacy of touch and tone and a virility in execution which, earned l the admiration of the musical. The Trio wera assisted by Mr. John Prousc, who was in first-rate form. He revived a couple of Korbay's -dramatic Hungarian folk songs—"Shepherd, Seo Mv Horse's Foaming Mane," and "Had a Horse," eadh being invested with fine dramatic spirit. He also sang TschaikovskyV "Pilgrim's Song," "Tho Queen of Connemara," and "Vittoria, Vittoria," admirably. Mr. Christian 1 Hellomann played Mr. Prousc's accompaniments most artistically. At to-morrow evening's concert (thoro is none this evening) the Trio will play iieethoven's "Trio" (No. 1) and "Norwegian Dances" (Greig); Mr. Georgo Ellwood will play Saint-Sacns's. "Concirto"; Mr. Harry Ellwood Wieiiiawsky's "Souvenir di Moscow"; and Mr. , Prouse is to sing "Don Juan's Song" (Tscliaikovsky).