THE CHERNIAVSKIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2409, 26 January 1909, Page 5

THE CHERNIAVSKIS.

AN IMPRESS].>N.

A tail stripling -and two boys, one i well on in his ’teens, the other, saem--1 mgly Just -entering thorn. Three curly brown heads, with faces rapt or impassive, as the beholder’s fancy may suggest. Quaint Fauntleroy-like dresses, black velvet jackets and deep I white collars. Picturesque figures .are those: three lads., though it is not for L'picturesqueness that they are notable | rather because, young as they are, ithey stand eminent" among the race ! which, in all ages, from that of Orpheus' to that of Paderewski, has been strong to move the hearts of men, save of those who, having no music in their souls and being not moved by concord of sweet sounds, fall under the -ban pronounced by Shakespeare. SlavoSemitic in feature, the young trio show that in their veins runs the blood of that ancient people, mighty in. music, which gave _to tlie world Mendelssohn and Meyerbeer. But their nationality matters not, for the Cherniavskis speak the language which is understood of all men, they are of the world, not of any one of its divisions, however great geographically or mighty politically. And how thev speak that language, with what freedom, fulness and power! Even the youngest, though little more than a child, speaks with no childish tone when he expresses his soul in- music. The ’cello is his chosen medium of expression and it is hard indeed to realise that the tones, sweet, powerful, and plaintive, lie draws from the instrument are produced by the- hand of a boy. It needs not here to talk of technique, to use the stereotyped phrases of criticism. The boy plays his instrument •with- soul as well as with hand and head. As with him so with the others. Tho eldest brother, the talk stripling with the violin, evokes therefrom notes of a power and sweetness which stir tin* veqv soul of the bearer who is not devoid of the faculty of being “moved by concord of sweet sounds.” To descend for -a moment to particulars—Leo Cherniavski’s playing of Schubert’s “Avo Maria” will ever remain in the memory or those who heard it, as an altogether worthy and soul-satisfying rendition of that splendid .devotional composition. The pianoforte is the vehicle whereby Jan Cheruiavski conveys to tlie world the music that it in him. Lad though he is, lie is already a virtuoso. Power, feeling, technique, all are his in measuire . more abundaut than many :i- player of elder yea rs can boast. Jle as his -brothers, can move his lieai#.rs with depth of tone, with solemnity, the expression of deep fee-ling, and can charm with.brilliancy, grace and daintiness. To hoar the brothers display their united (towers in a trio is, even to one with no more than ordinary appreciation of muse-, a pleasure—to the music-lover, it is a joy. What is to be the fut)ire those gifted youthsf Exceptionally talented as they are, it can scarcely be aught hut brilliant. May it be even better. May they ever lie true to the the highest in art and in humanity, and, departing, leave behind them names of honor as musicians and as men.