VIOLIN RECITAL.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 October 1924, Page 4

VIOLIN RECITAL.

MR M. NEWBERRY. ARTISTIC PERFORMANCE. It is unfortunately too rarely that Hawera has recitals arranged by its own local musicians of the class that was presented by Mr Matthew Newberry in the Opera House last night. The audience were enthusiastic in their appreciation of the work of the artists, and showed this in no uncertain manner. The selection of numbers by Mr Newberry was wide in scope and diverse in style, and included one fine work that has rarely been presented to a Hawera audience. Mr Newberry was in good form, and showed his ability to draw: from his instrument. a full rich and resonant tone. He also proved himself possessed of very good technique and considerable executant power. His playing of the various numbers gained cordial approval. The star number was the Grieg Sonata, a composition which makes great demands on the performers. Mr Newberry, entered fully into the spirit of the composer’s ideas, and gave an excellent interpretation. The various movements are. in striking contrast, and in each the violinist showed a capable and intelligent grasp of the work of the great composer. - He is to be congratulated on his success in his performance of a work that needs ability of no mean order.

The bracketed numbers “La Reve’’ (Goltermann), “Liebesfreud” (Kreisler), and “Valee Triste” (Sibelius) formed the opening number, and in each the artist was successful. The double stopping in the second number and the. excellent sustained tone in the third were marked features that pleased his listeners. Another trio of selections in fine contrast were the lovely Bach Aria (G String), with its full rich legato movement, the weird progression, of chords introducing a pretty melody in the “Orientate, ” and the enchantingly beautiful Bach Gounod Ave Maria, with its appealing note of pathos. He also gave a fine rendering of the four bracketed numbers—“ Romance” (Laurence), “Schon Rosmarin” (Kreisler), the popular Saint Saens composition (“Le Cygne”), and the sprightly, sparkling “Elfentanz” (Jenkinson). Each gave the artist a chance to show his. versatility in style of playing. Two of the most appreciated solos were the lovely Chopin Nocturne and the Drdla selection. He gave an excellent interpretation of both. On each appearance Mr Newberry was recalled and added encore numbers, two of the most enjoyable being the popular Braga “Serenata” and the Mascagni “Intermezzo.” The audience gave him altogether a capital reception.

Two vocalists assisted him in the programme, and both were very popular and scored a distinct success. Miss L. Evans, of Auckland, a soprano, whose singing made, instant appeal to her listeners, contributed two songs. “I wonder if love is a dream” (D. Foster) and “Ritonella” (Clutsam) were both sung in excellent taste, and each earned a well-deserved recall. The encore numbers, the charming little songs “Tiptoe” and “Mother’s. Eyes,” and the popular “Love’s Christening” and “Keep on hoping” absolutely delighted the audience.

Mr Arthur Ripley was the other vocalist, and he achieved a marked success. His songs were .well chosen, and afforded him ample scope to show his best. The numbers were “The Star” (Rodgers), “Mignon” (Thomas), “Ah! noon of my delight,” from “In a Persian garden,” the most beautiful aria with recit. “All hail, thou dwelling pure and lowly” (Gounod)), and the ever popular Maritana aria “There is a flower that bloometh,” and Harriet Ware’s pretty “Boat Song.” He gave an artistic rendering of each, and was specially successful in the Gounod song and the Lehmann selection. He was recalled three times. The beautiful and effective accompaniments to the violin work were played by Mrs Page in excellent style. The work demanded much brilliant execution, especially in the Grieg Sonata, and an artistic appreciation of the diverse styles adopted by the various composers. Throughout a nice discrimination was observed in the reading of the 1 work. The accompaniments were played with a due recognition of the part they should take in the work of the soloist.

The accompaniste for the singers was Mrs Tarrant. All her work was marked by a nice subdued tone and a sympathy that was very effective and a valuable aid to the singers. The recital altogether was a distinct success from a musical point of view. Mr Newberry is to he congratulated on his work and on the general excellence of the programme.