Grand Pianoforte Recital.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 328, 31 January 1902, Page 3

Grand Pianoforte Recital.

It is now some time since Gisborne has been visited by a l>'aniste of the calibre of Mrs Barrington -• Waters, and seldom has such classical music been rendered to a Gisborne audience in such a perfect manner as was performed at the concert given oy Mrs Barrington Waters last evening. The Academy of Music was well-filled, and the audience was one which showed its appreciation of good music in enthusiastically recalling the performers time and again. The main part of the programme was in the hands of Mrs Barrington Waters, a pianiste of the first rank. Her brilliancy of execution, her graceful and finished technique, and her delicacy of expression enabled her to render truly the character of the composition and the spirit of the composer. Her rendition of a ■ programme of eight works of the great .* masters left nothing to be desired. Compositions by Beethoven, Chopin, viand Rubenstein were interpreted from memory (this in itself a remarkable ’ feat) with facile and graceful technique which showed that Mrs Barnng<r ton’ Waters is a thorough mistress •, ■ of her art. Her rendering of_ Henry ' * Herz’s “Andante and Rondo left .< nothirig to be desired, while Beet- -. ~i hoven’s “Grand Sonata And h uncial March ” was given in a manner such - v.' • ;,s could only be given by an accomplished pianist. Chopin s Polonaise '• in A Flat,” a very difficult piece, •. as it does a series of oc- .# tsves in the left hand extension, was executed in a masterly way, as was r also Schubert-Heller’s “Die horelle. _ The cem of Mrs Barrington Waters selections was undoubtedly PagammLiszt s* 1 " La Campanella.” This is an adaptation by Liszt of the brilliant effects which the famous Paganini alone knew how to produce on lie i-'' violin. The intricacy of the theme is one such as only a brilliant p.amste could play, in fact, very few pianistes attempt to render this remarkable composition. It is a very pretty pi*®, and prior to the rendering of it last evening was never before played m New Zealand by Mrs Barrington Waters. She scored a tremendous success in this piece, as in all her other selections, being heartily recalled. Mrs Waters gave an expressive and finisned interpretation of Rubinstein s \ also Caprice,” and her rendering of _i.eschetiszky’s immensely difficult intermezzo in Octaves was altogether admirable. Chopin’s “ Berceuse was also interpreted with marvellous dexterity and charm of expression, her performance proving her to be an able exponent of Chopin, as she was of a,l the other masters. During the even.ng she vvas the recipient of a handsome with Mrs _ Barrington Waters was Miss H. Lorraine Tans ey, a voung and promising vocalist, With a fine contralto voice. She is a singer with considerable artistic culture, and one who appeals to the popular taste. Last evening she proved without any doubt to be the best contralto that • has visited Gisborne for some time past. Her singing of j 11 0?! ' and aria, “ Oh ! How Oft m Ums i.n raptured ” was given in such an ex quisite manner that she had to • spond to an undeniable encore, giving that fine song “ Rocked m the Oral e of the Deep.” Again she was recalled, and after bowing her acknowledgments (jail perforce to repeat the last verse.,

Her voice was again beard to advantage in her rendering of Behrend’s “ Daddy ” and as in the case of tier first song she received a hearty encore, responding by singing “If All Ihe Stars were Mine.” The audience, however, were clamorous for another song, and Miss Tansley repeated the last verse. It 'is needless to say that Miss Tansley scored a distinct success on her first appearance before a Gisborne audience last evening. Mr T. Dalrymple, after an absence from the concert platform of over a I year, re-appeared in Hobundis’ song, “ Alla Stella Confidente,” which he sang with much expression, lieing accompanied with 'cello obligato by Mr H. D. Parker. Ilis singing was much appreciated, and on being recalled, he sang “ Margherita,” with much taste. Mr H. D. Parker, who is well known to Gisborne concert-goers as an accomplished 'cello-player, rendered, in a finished manner, Wagner’s “ Wnlther’s Preislied.” This piece is a prize song from the opera of Die Meistersingers, one of the most famous songs in the world. It has a slow, expressive melody. The other selection given by Mr Parker was Offenbach's “ Muzette.” This is a light, merry composition in Offenbach’s weilknown graceful stylei and has a quick movement. The two pieces give a contrast that displays the capacity of the instrument from grave to gay. _ The concert was a very successful one, and it is to be hoped that Gisborne will be visited more often ny pianistes of the ability of Mrs Barrington Waters, and singers of the quality of Miss Lorraine Tansley. The accompaniments during the evening were played by Mrs Barrington Waters