THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2402, 16 December 1881, Page 3

THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Those who had the good fortune to be present last night, on the occasion of the first of the series of concerts to be given by Herr Wilhelmj, will endorse most willingly the flattering accounts of the powers of the great violinist and the talents of his coadjutors. Indeed so far from being in any way unduly flattering, the notices of the performances in the South but do justice. The programme for last night comprised nice numbers, illustrative of the works of some of the best masters, and to this must be added five encores, which were enthusiastically demanded. Of the playing of Herr Wilhelmj it is scarcelv possible to speak too highly. It is beyond criticism. His power over the instrument is simply marvellous, more especially the ease with which he passes instantly from a grand and florid passage of harmony to a simple softly breathing voice-like melody. His opening solo, a concerto by Paganini, was a wondrous exhibition of skill. The intricate variations, woven into and forming part of the theme, wera given with the power and artistic conception of a master worthy to render the compositions of so great an artist as Paganini. It was rapturously encored, and responded to with a charming nocturne by Chopin, played with great delicacy of tone. In the second part Herr Wilhelmj opened with a romance of his own composition. This was a perfect musical idyll, and to say that it was magnificently played is but faint praise. Again the great violinist was encored, and, in response, played, what we venture to think was the gem of the evening, Schubert’s “Aye Maria.” This was indeed a great musical treat, such as one seldom hears. A fantasia on Hungarian airs, arranged by Ernst, afforded the audience another opportunity of hearing how complete and thorough a master of the violin Herr Wilhelmj is. There was about his rendering of this piece such delicacy of tone in the lighter and rapidity and brilliancy of execution in the more florid passages, as to make it most enjoyable. In response to the encore, he played the simple ballad, " The old folks at home,” with such feeling and simplicity, as to evoke loud plaudits. Miss Conron is a finished artist, possessing a beautifully fresh and sweet mezzo-soprano voice, highly cultivated, and of great range. Her opening solo, “ Com e bello, from “ Lucrezia Borgia,” was magnificently sung, and produced an encore, which was responded to by a pretty ballad by Osgood, “ Down the shadowy lane,” which also was charmingly rendered. In the second part Mies Conran sang a quaint but exquisitely pretty ballad by Robinson, “ The snowy breasted pearl,” and for an encore Hatton’s “ Bid me to live.” Mr Vogrioh accompanied the songs, and is certainly one of the moat accomplished accompanyists we have yet heard. His solos comprised an arrangement of Mendelssohn’s “ Wedding March,” Liszt’s *' Rhapsodic Hongroise,” and a piece called “ Bird study,” and a Funeral March by Chopin. Mr Yogrioh has great power of expression, and is a very brilliant executant. The last piece on the programme was Broga’s 11 Angel’s serenade,” sung by Miss Conron, with violin obligato played by Herr Wilhelmj. The second concert will be given this evening, when a new programme will be submitted.