Musical

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 27, 30 September 1893, Page 12

Musical

M. FRANC IK’S CONCERT. It is now some years since the town has had a visit from a' violinist of any pretensions. M. Bemenyi, if we remember rightly, ■was the last. The advent, therefore, of an artiste of the calibre of M. Francik, whose credentials were of a high order, was looked forward to with pleasurable anticipation. A large and select audience occupied the Theatre on Tuesday evening, and followed every item of the programme with appreciation and critical attention. The assistance Of some of our best local instrumentalists and vocalists helped to compose a varied and classical programme. Miss Lithgow with “ Fairest and Best,” Miss Geddes with “ Bose Softly Blooming” (encored), and “ It was a Dream”; and Mr John E. Taylor with “Out on the Deep,” and “ The Silent March ” (to one of which he had to respond to an encore) were in excellent voice, and the appreciation of the audience amply indicated that, though resident amongst us, they “ have honour in their own country.” Mr Charles Gray played the accompaniments tastefully for each vocalist. M. Francik made his debut in company with Miss Dickinson and Messrs Blue and .Zimmer in a string quartette of Mozart’s in three movements, and at once proved his shill with the bow to be undeniable, but in the succeeding violin solo, “ Gipsies’ Melodies,” by the world-famed Sarasate, he fairly established his claim to be considered a violinist of high ability. The concluding rapid movement took the people by storm, and a burst of sustained applause greeted the finale. In response to the recall he played an arrangement of “ Home, Sweet Home,” composed by himself. In the second part he played as a solo “ A Scotch rhapfcody,” introducing various Scotch airs. These were for the most part Scotch airs interpreted by a Bohemian, but the refrain, “ John Anderson, my jo,” was retained in its simplicity, and at no part of the concert were the people more profoundly touched than while listening to the old familiar strain evolved with exquisite sweetness. Another solo, a mazurka from Zarzicky, was played brilliantly, even though it involved some very eccentric bowing. A trio, comprising a beautitul “ largo and scherzo ” from Beethoven, and rendered by Mrs Dunlop (piano), M. Francik (violin), and Mr Zimmer (’cello), formed a fitting conclusion to a concert which, though decidedly high-class, was nevertheless thoroughly enjoyable. M. Francik’s music throughout was brilliantly executed, and the selections chosen offered full scope for his skill in double stopping, and the other accomplishments which raise the master above the rank and file of the profession. The accompaniments to his solos wete played by Miss Lithgow with marked ability, and in excellent time.