THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6493, 19 December 1881, Page 5

THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

The great feature of Saturday evening’s concert «u Mendelssohn's “ grand concerto.” To say that this, grandest of oil the compositions lor the violin, was placed before us in the most astonishing manner, is only another form of saying that Herr Wilhelmj is one of the two greatest violinists in the world. It Is also another method of saying that until Saturday evening no one who bad only hoard this artist on the Thursday and Friday even* ings previous, could, until be heard the won* dorfol performance of ibis “ concerto,” have had anything near to an adequate conception of bow great Herr Wilhelmj really is. Such a splendid exhibition males one long for more examples from bis bow of the great masters. Writing of the first concert, we took occasion to say that Herr Wilhelmj bad not taken us into tbs great classical world with him. Though thoroughly conscious of the great oapacity displayed on that occasion by the Herr, we had no conception of the depth of regret with which the absence of the classical ought to have penetrated us. It is not right to cay that the two evenings on which no great classical examples were given, were thrown sway. The performarccs of the music selected were too good to leave room for any regret. We may tope, however, that in the future none of these beautiful concerts will be without its great classical examplss. We hear a great violinist here once in a lifetime. We like, if possible, to hear him in music which is too much for anybody else but a great violinist. An «andante” of singular beauty, grandlose, pathetic, filling the air with wonderful music | followed by harmonious passages, moving through a series of beautiful changes j and, after touching the springs of all feeling, returning to the original theme, which strikes the ear, after Its absence, with renewed stateliness and tenderness of grace. After this, florid passages, of great rapidity, smoothly flowing withal, and subordinate throughout to a leading grand idea j the end sublime in its conception of joyous exultation, Such is the concerto of Mendelssohn, which Herr Wilhelmj interpreted for us on Saturday night, with exceptional richness of tone, complete reverence of treatment, and the most artistic skill. The other pieces were a dreamy “ Elegie,” of Ernst, and a Polonaise,” by Laub (tbe very embodiment of graceful playfulness), As ” encore ’’ pieces, he kindly gave enough to fill another programme. Miss Mario Oosron'c two most succesiful pieces were both given in response to encores. One of these was a quaint Spanish ballad—this young lady hue sung during these concerts equally well in four languages—given in the most naturally playful manner. Too other was Mendelssohn’s celebrated “Slumber Bong,” of which the delicate accompaniment of Mr Togrioh was, as It should bo always, a very remarkable feature. Her other pieces were an aria from Mignon, which she

sang with artistio succors, Hatton's “To Anthea," and SulUvan’s " Lot mo Dream Again." Mr Vogrioh was, as usual, remarkable for his very perfect accompaniment*. Of his solo pieces, the most snooesuful was Lisst’s arrangement of the " Tannhiluisr March." The others were a fantasia on " Norma," by the same composer, and a brilliant mazurka of Chopin's. Two words to the audiences. The con* cert* that aro given to them aro worth the money they pay for them and more. If people want more they should mako up their minds to come again, and bring those of ihoir friends who have been unfortunate enough to miss the treat which they have enjoyed. This is the other side of the " encore '* practice, which wo commend to those who hitherto have pushed the more commonly known side to somewhat ol an extreme. The other word wo have to say is for the benefit of those who are food of locomotion during the performance. To them we cannot help remarking that concerts are not given in order that people may listen to the creaking of boots and the trampling of uncouth hoofs. People go to a concert to hear music. This matter concerns the management. When Bignordo Yivo was travelling with Madame do Murska, he ruled his concert roomo in a refreshingly despotic manner. The enforcement of puno* tuality was, of course, impossible, even to the energetic Signor. But bo took good enro that during the progress of an item of the programme no soul was allowed to move about the hall, either from tbo door or the seats. We commend Signor do Yivo'e practice to Signor do Vivo's representatives. For to night the usual kind of programme is announced. We notice that Herr Wilhelmj will play a concerto of Lipinski’s, and that Mies Oonron will sing an air from Mozart’s “ Figaro,"