MISS RENE QUEREE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2407, 12 March 1915, Page 3

MISS RENE QUEREE

RECITAL AT THE TOWN HALL. In the first place the bleak wintry night and the vast Town Hall were hardly conducive to a genial atmosphere at Miss Reno (iueree's pianoforte rccital last evening. These were grim factors which the young debutante^had to face and light before getting to the heart of her audience, and that she was able to reach that desired goal speaks volumes for the art she has so clearly mastered on the other side of the troubled Old AVorld. It seems only a few months since Miss Queree gave a farewell concert here prior to her departure for Europe, but, thanks to the able tuition that was graciously accorded to her by the great Carreno, she returns to her own, a little ; artist, who will, with experience of tho world and its audiences broaden out into a musical personality. Miss Queree has a light sensitive touch, a nice 'appreciation of tono effect, and is not lacking in temperament. . Technically- she appears to be admirably equipped and has a digital speed and facile airiness in approach altogether charming. The programme whs not very pretentious in comparison with the highest standards, as, with the possible exception of the "Rhapsodie Hongroiso" of Liszt, it inclined to a display of the lighter moodg of the composers concerned, but in the interpretation of those moods there was no indecision in conception, and much grace and refinement was inherent in her work. The "Rhapsodie" came as a surprise. Here the pianist showed unexpected power, breadth, and aii abandon that was not so noticeable in any other number. Another enjoyable item was the Grieg Concerto in A . Minor (adagio and allegro moderate), with Mrs. E. H. Queree providing the orchestral part on second Reohsteiu grand. Touch and tone were alike delightful in this work, the weirdlj beautiful harmonies of which faithfully reflect the. call of the still fiord and the cold glow of the midnight sun. Another very beautiful number was Liszt's "La Regata Veneziana," which was played with undeniable 'atmospheric charm. Bach was represented: by his "Badinerie" and "Minuet," two trifles from this mighty mind; Schumann by his picturesque "Novelette" (No. 7), and Chopm by his rippling rhythmic "Tarantella," in which some of, tho feathery runs were slightly'cloudcd at times by a fulsome use of the right pedal. Three Norwegian pieces by Blgne Lund showed a certain originality of thought in miniature work. .As encores Miss Queree played Chopin's "Waltz in A Flat," the blithesome "Staccato Caprice" of Vogrisch (an old favourite of Carreno's), and the charming "Chant Sans Paroles" of Tschaikovsky. The duet- was also encored and produced an Andantino by Chaminade. , i.

Miss Queree was assisted by Mrs. •!. Rosewarne, and Mr. Hamilton Hodges. Mrs. Rosewarne was troubled by a slight huskiness,_ which, however, did not obscure the "beauties of hei rich voioe. Her first bracket was three of Amy. Woodforde Finder's exotic Indian imaginings, ' viz., 1 'Beside the Lonely Nile," "Pomegranate is Your Mouth," and "I Wakened with the Moon," and in weloome contradistinction she sang as an encore the bright English song "Wake Up." In the second half slio gave good expression to Hatton's song, |'The Enchantress," in which she was inclined to flatten towards the end. Mr. Hodges, whose tone appeared to bn coarsened by a cold, made an incursion into the French in his first bracket, which included ' Tschaikovsky's "Lob Larmes," the quaint and beautiful song "La Pais," a song written on one note only, by Reynolds Hahn, and "Le Souvenir d'Avoir Chante" by the same composer. He also sang those splendid songs by Mallinson "Four by' tho Clock," and • "Gloriana," and, as an encore, "Last Night." Mrs. Queree aocompanied with her usual ability,