GIFTED PIANIST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 12

GIFTED PIANIST

MISS EILEEN JOYCE The first public appearance in Dunedin of Miss Eileen Joyce, the world-famous pianist, who is under engagement to the National Broad'casting Service, will be made at the Town Hall on .Monday evening next. Many writers have referred to Miss Joyce as the West Australian pianist, and that is not surprising, for she has spent a great deal of time in West Australia. It was while she was studying in an Australian convent that Percy Grainger heard her play and described her as the most transcendently gifted child he had heard in 25 years. Her rise to worldwide fame is a story of indomitable courage, and a triumph over insuperable difficulties. Not until she was about ten was she able to write her own name. It was at Boulder City (about 1923) that Miss Joyce saw a piano for the first time. Her father taught her the notes, and soon she was playing simple tunes, and simple they might have remained if Father O’Hurley, a Catholic priest, had not heard her. He was really the first to recognise her gjft, but later Backhaus, while on tour, heard her, and decreed that she should go to Leipzig, and there she went, then, this gifted girl has delighted critical audiences in Europe. Miss Joyce will play “Symphonic Variations” (Cesar Franck) with the 4YA Orchestra, conducted by Mr Gil Dech; “ Arabesque ” (Schumann); and Ballade in G minor (Chopin). The assisting artist will be Mr Wilfred Kershaw (bass), who will sing “In a Churchyard” (Brahms) and “The Blacksmith” (Koenemanac). There will be special concession terms offered to students and pupils in parties of five or more. The box plan will be opened at Begg’s to-morrow, when seats at 3s and 2s can be reserved without tax or booking fee.