THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6495, 21 December 1881, Page 5

THE WILHELMJ CONCERTS.

At last night*# concert, classical music was In liberal quantity, and very much appreciated. The great Kreutser sonata, written by Beethoven far the greatest violinist of ills day, was the main feature. The two movement# selected were the "Andante** (with variations) and the " Presto." The first is » noble theme In the Beethoven manner, at once grandiose and touching i w th mhsUoue of most characteristically opposite character, all of great elegance and'refinement. These are everything that le pW«, qh* nfc. and vigorous. The effects are fairly divided between the two Instrument# j the piano sometfwiHa running in a full stream of harmonies, ciriss w those of the famous "Moto Weber j at others, the violin wealing out psmges of glorious beauty, •!- ternaUng with pitsfcoto accompaniments, and the most delicate shading of broken phrases. The " Presto" is a movement of marvellous Impetuosity, relieved by occasional passages of oslm. The sentiment is singularly loyons, and the movement of rushing rapidity, aboundjug in difficulties insuperable to all but the very few flrslrate among violinists. These two

movements were given in magnificent style* The tone of the violin was rich, the execution of peat precision, rapid, finished, perfect) the style superb end masterful. The touch of the piano was at once delicate end firm. The whole was a performance such as may not be heard here »«*!« in a century—except tonight, on which occasion Herr Wiihslnj has selected the famous Chaconne of Bach. The other number* for the violin were Mendelssoirn’s ** Ooscerto,” which wa* quite os well received as on Saturday night, and » floe composition of Herr Wilhelm)*#, written in memory of Vieuxtomw, the violinist. Ml* encore pieces were Sohunert*# fin# “ AbendUed” end a paraphrase of hie own on Wagner** " Meiitersinger,” which was fine enough to make the sceptical alter their opinion of *' the music of the future.” Mira Cooron gave us tho prat aria from “Boberi.” Two of Schubert’* were welcome songs (the ” Adlo” and " Impatience”) and ” Dresden China” of which she mode a peat deal. Her encore pise#* were, “To Anthea” and "The snowy-breasted pari,” which i* the* most successful of her rnaby beautiful ballade. Mr Vogrioh, who played the piano part of tho great sonata of tho evening with .a skill truly artistic, gave ft fine rendering of a composition of Schumann’*, in whoso music he is always very successful 1 olio, « characteristic Polonaise of Chopin, which wa* somewhat beyond hie powere, and a beautiful impromptu of hie own on " Robin Adair.” For to-night, as we have before observed, Bach’s Chaconne is announced.