VIOLIN AND PIANOFORTE RECITAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 53, 26 November 1920, Page 8

VIOLIN AND PIANOFORTE RECITAL

AN AUTISTIC TRKAT. . Both Miss Constance Leatham (pianiste) and Miss Ava Syinons (violinist), who combined in a recital at the Concert Chamber last evening, are performers of rare capacity and high ideaU, and moreover, both ladies have, allied to unusual technical skill, that warmth of temperament which holds an nudlenoD interested. The programme presented was severely classical, and none would -nluh it ,to be otherwise. It opened with Grieg's "Sonata, for Piano and Violin >n. G Major," a work of charm, intricate in its unexpectedness, and . clearly stamped with that somewhat eerie colouring peculiar to the eminent Norwegian composer's music. Its inherent difficulties were not apparent, so thoroughly were the players in sympathy, and the easy command and verve they threw into their work\ made the performance a notable one. Miss Lcathaui, whose ability at the keyboard is well known in Wellington, is a piunistc of many virtues, Her strength and virility aro arresting, yet she has at her command a. touch of gossamer lightness, and a turn of speed that is prodigious. She was most impressive in Schumann's "Symphonic Studios," a string of pianistic pearls that demands strength, character, and a complete technique, to realise their manifold beauties. Intellectually disciplined, these qualities made her performance much more than ordinorily interesting. On the lighter side she played tho Schubert-Liszt "Soiree de Tienno," for the most N part an entrancing waltz, brilliantly, and in sombre relief, vms given as an encore the Liuzt transcription of the "Pilgrim's Chant" from Wagner's

"Taiinhaiißor, ter thenics

" with the well-known conniidroitly expressed. Finally,

"the world, the flesh, and the devil" motif dies away, and 'only the solemn chant is heard receding in the distance. Mies Leathain displayed her powers of velocity in Liszt's "Second PolonaißO in E" and Chopin's delicious "Waltz in A Flat."

No less successful was Hiss Ava flymons, whoso big, warm tono and finished bowing made her every contribution a 6heor artistic delight. She played Saint-Saens's

"Introduction and Eondo Oapriccioso" with proper animation and delicacy, and the sweet "Londonderry Air" (played aB an encore), was instinct with sympathy The Hebrew hymn "Kol Nidrei" (Max Brucb). with itß odd plaintive appeal, was played with fine strength and reverence, and the Pugnani-Kreisler "Preludium and Allegro" with an entrancing mastery and abandon. The encore was Edward German's dazzling "Saltarella," liveliest of dance measures. Miss Leatham's accompaniments were in perfect taste.