MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3030, 17 March 1917, Page 13

MUSIC

Oiy "Treble-Clef.") Is Pachmann Mad? Mr. Arthur Smyth, of Sydney, has received a letter commenting upo'n. various pianists before the public in London at tho end of last vcar from his son, Lieutenant Join; Smyth, who' left Sydney a year ago with his friend, Mr. Gerald Cooper. Both these clever amateur pianists have appeared in Sydney concert rooms. They enlisted together m the Scots Guards, quickly obtained commissions, and are now "with that famous brigade in France. Mr. Smyth was greatly moved by tho eccentric Vladimir do Pachmann at a crowded: concert at Queen's Hall, and remarks: "He started with a Beethoven Sonata (which was unwise). Ho played it beautifully, but it wasn't Beethoven atall. I don't think ho understands this composer one hit; ho hasn't got the strong character or nobility to hack him up. But, oh, bis Chopin is simply too lovely for words. The delicacy and sympathy of his playing was marvellous; and yet he is quite mad. Ho was talking all the time, saying how beautifully ho played, and clapping his hands. He gave five encores—and after that they were compelled to turn out tho lights and close down tho piano. But even after that he gave another encore. Another pianist wo hnvc heard is a Russian called Moiseiwitch (a young marvel). Two young girl pianists much talked of oro Myra Hess audi Irene Sharrer, of whom I heard only the former, who certainly plays wonderfully well."

Notes. Mr. Frank Orowther, the clever vaudeville pianist, "who has led the orchestra at His Majesty's '.Theatre over since its doora were opened, and who lias been in the employ of the Fullers for tho past fourteen years, goes into cn.mp next week. Mr. Crowther lias become quito an institution in Wellington, and many will regret seeing his place filled by another. Ho is an exceptionally brilliant accompanist, always vory helpful to artists, clever at orchestrating music, and in every way has been a valuable asset to His Majesty's. Mr. Hollow, late of the Crown Theatre, is ■to fill the post. Mr. Orowther will carry tho good wishes of all regular patrons wherever he goes. May h<* return siifo and' sound to carry cu his good work. Tho Russian Invasion. It is impossibel to disguise the fact that tho war has iv:oanb much to Russian music and Ttusieians. The world lias discovered Russia, and. found hej to ho.richly endowed with all the advanced musical races. _ Now nearly every advanced pianist with higher ambitions is studying the Russian, field, to find it veiued with tho purest gold. Had it not been, for tho war wo should probably have never heard. Piastro and Mirovitch (the latter informed me that 1)0 was n cousin of Gabrilovilz, the eminent pianist, who married a daugh-ter-of "MRrk Twain"), nor would wo have found pleasure in tho sound musicianship of M. Sclinsky. Now we are to hear tho clever Cherniavskys once more. Most Russian, composers are, or havo bcon ; known to pianists by one or two pieces, and our good folk havo never had the energy to inquire a 8 to whether thoy have written more. Tako tho living Rachmaninoff (who was giving war concerts in Moscow a few months ago). _ He is only lenown to a largo proportion of really able pianists by his Prelude in C Sharp Minor, and when Mirovitch recently played another of the composer's preludes —a. very beautiful one, too—some thought that there had been a mistake in tho programme As a matter of fact, the Prelude in_ 0 Sharp Minor belongs to a set of pieces wliich includes four others, an Elegy, a Serenade, "Poliohinello," and a, melody, all displaying the same high quality; a second set, comprising seven salon pieces .of approximately the same date. Then there are his six "Moments Musicanx," which show an impetuous musical imagination, and his mighty Sonata in D Minor. Then there are unexploited giants in Rimsky-Korsakoff, Scriabino, Serge Tanoie'ff, Arensky, and Glazounoff, who havo yet to be made known to the public. It is gratifying to noto that Mr. Bernard Page (the City Organist) is in tho advanced line of musical research, and is doing what ho can on tho grand organ in the Town Hall to familiarise the public with tho music of the most potent school of music in the world.