ORGAN RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2843, 7 August 1916, Page 3

ORGAN RECITAL

Sir. Bernard Page, City Organist, entertained liis audieuce on Saturday evening with a programme of music by modern Russians. The most ancient of these moderns was Tchaikovsky, so it will bo appreciated by; all who follow the .trend of modern music and know the immense vitality of the Russian school that tlie music played was thoroughly representative of those living representatives, who aro building up a splendid artistic heritage for the musician of the morrow. At least one of the composers, Cui, has died since the war broko out. He was an old man, who has left a wealth of music to the world. Other yotngcr men who have been coming forward have been heard of as actually engaged in hostilities or in giving concerts in Ruasia.in aid of war. funds. Mr. Pago is always in the van, and it'was interesting to hear this strongiibred sombre music, that is said to SO accurately reflect the spirit of waking Russia. Rimsky-Korsajiofli is one of the foremost of the school, and in England and America much of his music has been actually, popularised through the medium of the Russian Ballot, one of the favourite ballets, used by Nijinsky and Pavlova being "Soheherzade" (tales from the "Arabian Nights"), the. third movement of which suite for' orchestra was played by Mr. Page with effect. He also played ( the tenth movement from Moussorgskv's "Pictures from an Exhibition," entitled "The Bohatyr's Gate at. ICiefl'," composed in honour- of the composer's dead friend Stassoff, the artist, a series of tone paintings for the piano (which have been orchestrated by Sir Henry 'Vfoods, director of. the Hall Orchestra, London). Moussorgsky- is- best 'known to the artistic- -world as the composer of the great Russian opera, "Boris' Gondenoif,", which has been played i'airly frequently in New' York and London in recent Shears. The "paintings" are bright little bits of tone colour in queer harmonie.< Then there . was . Rabilioff's 'TSfaiade* (from hisfivo Mela-mimics), and his great psychological poem, "La Genie et la Mort," a remarkable composition that is eminently; adapted to the" organ. The programme also included the secoiid movement from the sublime "Symphony Pathetic" of Tssbaikovsky, and a charming "Hlegie" by Rachmaninoff. This is a programme many will desire Mr. Page to repeat in extenso at a later date.