THE CHERNIAVSKYS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3083, 14 May 1917, Page 6

THE CHERNIAVSKYS

FAMOUS RUSSIAN TRIO The music-loving section of the New Zealand public has had the privilege, in a measure, of watching the development of Leo, Jan, and Mischel Cherniavsky, the three young Russian musicians, wno made their reappearance in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday evening. When the brothers visited this country first, they were brilliant students, with an astonishing record of musical success behind them, it is true, but with their ge.uius still in process of growth and their ultimate places in the artistic world still to be determined. The eldest brother, Leo Cherniavskj', had not at that time attained his twentieth year, and the youngest, Mischel, was no more than sixteen years of age. Leo had made his first public appearance as a violinist nearly thirteen years earlier, it is true, and the other brothers but little later, but youthful prodigies do not always realise their first promise. The passing of the years has put the seal of recognised" genius on the Cherniavskys. They are making their fourth visit to New Zeai land, after a triumphant tour in . the United States, and though it might he , an over-statement even now to describe them as matured artists, it is no exag- : geration at all to say that they have realised 1 the hopes of their warmest admirers. They are but young men—Leo was born in August,',lß9o—and they ought to have many rich years of artiotio growth before them. But to-day they are a trio of rare strength and commanding ability, with the enthusiasm of. youth united to the confident technique and assured personality of adult years. Of the playing of the Russian brothers it really is unnecessary to say very much in detail. Lovers of music "throughout the Dominion will regard each of the brothers as an old friend, and will make their own comparisons between the performances of the present tour and the memories left behind on earlier occasions. Mischel, the 'cellist, would 6eem still to be the greatest musician of the trio. His teolmique is more wonderful than ever, his tone is extraordinarily good, and lie has the temperament without which mere skill in the handling of an instrument is but the glitter of tinsel. ■He has imagination, sympathy, and sensibility, and under his fluent hands his 'cello speaks to the soul. New Zealand audiences have scarcely heard a greater 'cellist than Misohel Cherniavsky is to-day. Leo, ther violinist, shows a large measure of improvement. His bowing and fingering are masterly, his control is firm and yet delicate. He is scarcely in tho front rank of violinists, an element of weakness being detectable on the temperamental side. But he is an exceedingly attractive player, and much of his work is sheer joy to the listener who can appreciate richness of tone and refinement of execution. Jan, the pianist, undoubtedly reaches tho Btatus of genius. He unites remarkable technical equipment to a finely developed capacity for interpreting with intelligence. He is certainly not yet at tho zonith of his' power, but even now it is difficult to find fault with his work. He can do wonderful things when his powerful, supple hands touch tho obedient keys. Saturday uight's programme opened with a Trio in D Minor for Pianoforte, Violin, and Violoncello (Arensky), a rich composition that put the audience on terms with the musicians quickly. -Later came a series of trios arranged by tho brothers, . "Russian Eomance" (Glinka), "Serenade" i(Arensky), and "Slav Dance" (Doorak). Mischel's 'cello numbers wero "Evening 'Song" (Schuman), "Serenade" (V. Herbert), and Tarantello (Poppet). The piano solos played by Jan wero all Chopin selections, Prelude No. 15, "The Baindrop," Prelude No. 24, "The Blacksmith," and Scheizo in B Flat Minor. Leo played the Violin Concerto in F Sharp Minor (Ernst). The audience demanded and secured many recall numbers.

Tho Cherniavskys have arranged onlyjj two concerts in Wellington. The second concert will be given in the Town Hall this evening, when tho programme will include a Tschaikowslii Trio, and a series of Trio, comprising Thome, do Boisdeftre and Brahms compositions, arranged l>y the brothers. The solo numbers -will bo as follow:—Pianoforte—Organ Toccato and Fuguo (Bach Tansie), Sonata Pastoral (Soarlotti), Kigoletto (Verdi Liszt). Violin—Nocturne (Chopin), Russian Mazurka and CarnaVal de Russe (Wieniavoskv). 'Cello—"Hina" (Tee), Mennett (Haydn), Berceuse (Mischel Cherniavsky), "At the Fountain" (Davidoif).