PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 180, 25 April 1919, Page 6

PIANOFORTE RECITAL

MISS ESTHER FISHER'S VERSATILITY. Whether it ivaa the weather or the short notice given, the Concert Chamber was not so well filled, as;it might have been last evening, when Miss Esther Fisher gave her third public recital. If the recital disclosed nothing further than the previous ones, it indicated a prodigious memory. If Hiss Fisher proceeds along the pursued her memory should become a treasurehouse ci all that is worth while in pianoforte music whilst she is yet a minor. Her marvellous aptness in this regard is only equalled by her immovable placidity and graceful naturalness at the ■keyboard. It is not in her nature to make a single movement of one of her fingers in order to attract attention or indicate what some might term "style." Miss Fisher is sufficient unto herself; a wonderfully gifted girl, predestined to the keyboard; and only lacking now that temperamental .maturity—not to be. confused with mere expression—which' is generally born of a knowledge of the deeper significances of life. Her programme last evening opened up another garden of music, somewhat away from the well-trodden paths, but nono the less interesting on that account. It would ho an exceedingly blase person who would not'have taken pleasure in heaving the youthful strength and virility, the amazing digital dexterity, and the big intelligence behind it, in the 'noble "Sonata in E Major" of Beethoven. The first movement'was played with a vivacity and abandon delightful to follow; the prestissimo was marked by amazing 6peed, celerity, and the cleanest touch; whilst the varying moods of the final movement were very beautifully coloured by the young artist. A Brahms b'racket of four pieces followed. It is sometimes doubted whether Brahms should be classified as of the elect—the classics. In America the subject isjust as often one for discussion in and out of print as is the authorship of certain plays attributed to tho pen of William Shakespeare. We can let it rest by merely saying that there are degrees'of greatness as in all things else, and that we take a special delight dn listening to tho "dimmer glories of Brahms at all times. Miss Fisher made thesfc virtues abundantly plain in the subdued beauties of the "Ballade in B Major," a composition not heard every day. She ; also played the "Intermezzos in A Major and B Flat Minor," and gave a brilliant exposition of the "Cappriccio in ~ G Minor," which earned the pianiste enthusiastic applause. Following the Brahms bracket was played with fine dignity and reserve the great "Chacoime" of Bach in D Minor ((Busoni's transcription). This mighty work is 'known to ,all pianists, but comparatively few attempt to wrestle with its wonders. It was a favoured number by the great. ■ Busoni himself, and is played a great deal by Harold Bauer and Gabriovitz (in America), but seldom is it attempted outside the accepted virtuosi of the pianoforte. / Miss Fisher's reading was dignified and exhilarating; there was strength and meaning in her phrasing, and the sonority of Bach was not forgotten in touch and temper. It was an achievement for any young artist to be pro\id of. The second half commenced with a Schumaun bracket, consisting of tho brilliant Fantasia in C Minor, "Kreisleriana," "Allegro," and "Romance"— the two latter, in admirable contrast, the "Allegro" bo impctous and fiery, the "Romance" so pensively poetic. Finally Miss Fisher, untired with her evening's work, gave an awakening i reading of Cesar FrancFs "Prelude, Chorale, and Fugue."' Franck is for the few, and probably will nwer be for the many. His works glow with the might of superb musicianship, and his weaving of themes, in fugual form is a thing of artistic beauty, but he lucks the melody and sonorous beauty of. Beethove"), without catching the lighter poesy of Chopin. Miss Fisher showed herself mistress of Franck's intricacies, demonstrating, if that were needed, that fier technique is almost perfedt.