MISS DAISY KENNEDY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 95, 16 January 1920, Page 5

MISS DAISY KENNEDY

CHARMS ANOTHER LARGE

ALDIENCE

The aboiindiiiK aft mid irresistible pcrsnnnlitv of Miss Daisy Kennedy are now tonics of town talk. Only a few days asa this artis: was practically unknown in Wilimrtnn. or New Zealand for that matter. To-day she is spoken of freely as bei'iiL' in the Elninii class—and Kliuaij is perhaps only second to Krcisler and Ysavo in tho world, if one accepts the dictum of the Old World critics. Miss Kennedy has established a name for imiicccable violin-playing 'in Wellington which will leave memories that will endure the test of time. As a technician Xliss Konnedv shows the soundness of her traininir under Sevcik, one of the great master teachers of the violin, and to that technie is allied personal temperamental irifls that: cannot be learned, that are intuitive, (he power to colour tone, to infuse mirth, passion, fierce joy, languorous nleasure. and the devotional spirit into the imrticnlar composition or phrase she is aildressinj. Another test of her artistry are the programmes and their arronsDmenr. a point sometimes overlooked bv worthy people. Jfiss Kennedys nrosrammes are perfect models. That nrosented last'evcmnif was packed witli interest from Iwinnin" to end. Ihe oncnins number was Jlozart's very beautiful "Concerto in J) Major." Such is the neslcct of JJorart in New Zealand thaf tli» modem Reiteration know him not. Theirs is the loss. The Concerto owns with an- allegro movement ot sDi-ishtlv brilliance, veined with lovely melodies, and yet embodying writ eno-ish to displav the technical virtues of anv artist. It concludes with an amazingly florid and difficult cadenza, which was plaved with consummate ■race. The andante cantabile has a rare and nlacid beauty-a stream of srnlden melody-into which the violinist, threw her whole soul. To add to her triumnh she plaved with grace and authority a very charming and tastcinlly varied rondo. In the second bracket the fair nlnver struck a now note ot sombre majesty in the Bacli 'Air on (t Strin'.'" (in the repertoire of all good violinists), and in lively contrast was played an ancient "MiTiuetto by Milandre, a tuneful and spirited dance measure, with a pizzicato note to emphasise the beginning of a phrase. Ihe strongly marked rhythm of tho Mmnctto'set the feet tapping all over the chamber. Again a new mood-an eighteenth century "Lullaby ' by Barholla, low-pitched and muted,, and curiously double-stoppctl—quite unconventional and altogether beautiful. Once more Tarfini's "Variations on a Theme by Corelli" gave emphasis to tho mastery of the plavcr over the instrument. Then deserting the glorified great of the eighteenth century. Miss Kennedy played Schubert's "Moment Musical with distracting verve and delicacy, and camu through to the twentieth century to allure with rare orchids from the garden of modern music. Barmontine's "Tableau Oriental," a, bizarre bit of writing, fragrant of blue incense curling between gold Buddhas, as the worshippers (lance themselves into a religious delirium. Akimenko's "Meditation" was hardly so interesting, but the "Idylle Finnoise (Kosloff) is a wonderful page of modern Finnish -music; oddly melodious, and harsh and barbaric in form, it breathes the spirit of the country. _ The "Idylle" lias an amazing accompaniment, which Miss Topsio Doenau played like an artist. Other numbers wore 'Kreisler's "Tambourin Chinois," an old French hymn (played as an encore, to the delight of everyone), and, finally, a trio of 'gem's from Xandor Zsolt's portfolio— "Bcrceus?," the photographic "Dragonflies," and a brilliant "Valse-Capricc." Miss Doenau deserves a full meed 'of praise for tho perfection of her accompaniments. Tlio final recital will take plncoin the Concert Chamber to-morrow evening.