Mons. Leon Driver.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 1 October 1891, Page 2

Mons. Leon Driver.

Mon3. Leon Driver gave one of his popular piano recitals and concerts in the Theatre Royal last evening, (Monday). The audience was thoroughly appreciative, and every item was loudly applauded. Mons Leon Driver introduced himself to the audience with the solo " Feu Follet," and as the clear, limpid strains floated through the hall, the audience at once saw that a master hand was at the instrument. The burst of applause of which followed must have been very gratifying to the performer. In the execution of " II Trovatore, " Mons. Leon Driver -displayed his wonderful powers to the »sir advantage. The instrument sg^ned almost to speak, so great wa^his mastery, over it. The first part of the performance concluded with the beautiful old melody " Auld Robin Gray," played with the left hand only, and [■laved as only Mons. Leon Driver can play it. It is difficult to believe that such exquisite music can be got from the piano with the left hand

only, and yet such is the rapid manipulation of his fingers that the melody is fully kept up all through the piece. The Becond part of the performance opened with the piano solo" Home Sweet Home" with variations.; Mons. Laon Driver next gave '$(fl«e Bwaneo River," by re* quest. This beautiful production displayed the marvellous execution of the performer to advantage ; and in response to an imperative recall he played some .-cotch relations. The last item on the programme was the piano solo " The Storm at Sea," a descriptive piece composed by the performer, Mons Leon Driver. This •wonderful solo has five movements ; (a) andante, " A calm voyage," (b), allegro, " The Sailor's Song," (c), adagio, " Distant Thunder," (d; prestissimo, " The Storm," (c), andante, "The Hymn of Thanksgiving." In the first movement the swish and roll of the water can be clearly heard and the sound as of the waves breaking on the shore is quite realistic. In the second part "The Sailor's Song " is heard amidst the splash of the waves. In the third the thunder can be heard muttering in the distance, and as the piece progresses it seems to approach near find near, until at last it breaks with a fearful crash, apparently overhead, and the storm is at its height. The darkness adds to the apparent reality and the feeling of the audience is so carried away, that they seem to think they are really in the midst of a howling tempest. The storm gradually dies amay, and out of the crashing storm rises the " Song of Thanksgiving " for dangers past. The thunder had gradually died away and as the performer rose from the piano there was a profound silence which at last found vent in one prolonged burst of applause. In response to a recall Mons Leon Driver gave " Killarney," and the audience departed well pleased with their evening's amusement. — M. Times.