THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2406, 21 December 1881, Page 3

THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

The programme submitted last night on the occasion of the Wilhelmj concert was full of gems, both vocal and instrumental, and the various items were most admirably and artistically rendered by those undertaking them. His Excellency the Governor, Lady Gordon,'Mies Gordon and party were present, and there was a very excellent attendance in the drees circle. Throughout the performance it may be noted considerable annoyance was caused by the ringing of the Cathedral bells, which, however excellent in themselves, are scarcely suited as accempanimentß either to a violin or piano solo or a song. This annoyance has been felt more than once, but last night it was more than ordinarily irritating to have the finest passages of a solo _ by Herr Wilhelmj rendered totally inaudible by the clash of the bells. We can hear these at any time, but such an artist as Wilhelmj is heard but once in a lifetime. Therefore it is to be regretted, from a musical point of view, that the concert last night should have been marred somewhat by this untoward circumstance. In the first part of the programme Herr Wilhelmj repeated Mendelssohn's concerto, which was, it is needless to say, interpreted moat artistically. It was enthusiastically encored, and in response Herr Wilhelmj played Schubert's " Abenlied." The opening piece of the second part was a scena cantata composed by the player to the memory of Vieuxtemps. This also was encored, and in response Kerr Wilhelmj gave a paraphrase of hip own on Wagner's " Meittersinger." Oneof the greatest treatß of the eveniog was, however, reserved till the last. This was Beethoven's celebrated " Kreutzer " sonata, played by Herr Wilhelmj and Mr Vogrich. 1 his was indeed worth listening to, and both artists brought to its rendering not only a thorough conception of the ideal of the composer, but the ability to reproduce it in a manner worthy of the composition. Miss Conron, as she has done throughout the season, Bang splendidly. Her rendering of " Koberto tu che adoro," from " Roberto le Diable," was a finished piece of vocalisation. In the second part she sang two charming songs by Schubert, "Adieu" and *' Impatience," both of which were excellently sung, la response to an encore, ehe gave Hutton's "To Anthea." Her next number was a quaintly pretty ballad by Molloy, "Dresden China," which drew forth loud plaudits and a redemand, to which Miss Conron responded by singing that charming ballad, "The Snowy-breasted Pearl." Mr Vogrich opened the concert with Schumann's variations, and also gave in the first part a splendidly played polonaise, by Chopin, and hiß own impromptu on "Robin Adair." The latter piece was a perfect gem in its way. In the second part he gave four numbers by Schumann and took part most admirably with Herr Wilhelmj in the Krentzer Sonata. To-night Herr Wilhelmj plays the chaconno by Bach, and " Ave Maria," by Schubert.