PADEREWSKI

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 77, 22 June 1927, Page 15

PADEREWSKI

HIS OPENING CONCERT Paderewski, the renowned pianist and patriot, who is touring the Dominion under the aegis of Messrs. J. and N. Tait, wil Igive the first of his three Auckland recitals at*the Town Hall on Wednesday next. His other recitals being given on July 2 and 4. He has just concluded a triumphal tour of the principal cities of Australia, wh£re tumultuous scenes marked the opening and closing of his recitals. The greeting of this great veteran artist by crowded audiences was stirring in the extreme. It was not merely the welcome of old friends, for twentythree years have elapsed since his last visit. It was mainly a generation who knew not Paderewski, that accorded a royal reception to the artist who ha<i held them fascinated and spell-bound by the magic of his playing. His programme for the opening night displays a catholicity of taste, a wise discrimination, and promises a musical feast of rare’'merit. The official list of contributions includes the following pieces: Cromatu Fantasia and Fugue (Bach), Sonata, F Minor (Beethoven), Carnival (Schumann), Nocturne G Minor (Chopin), Mazurka, B Minor (Chopin), Valse, C Sharp Minor (Chopin), Etude, G Flat (Chopin), Scherzo, B Flat Minor (Chopin), Legende, A Flat (Paderewski), Rhapsodie Hongroise No. 12 (Liszt). The Schumann Carnival should be one of the rgeat items of the evening. His Beethoven is considered the nearest approach to the master this generation has ever enjoyed. With Chopin Paderewski is naturally in the closest sympathy. The peculiar Chopin intonation, inflexion and accent lose nothing of their beauty at the hands of Paderewski, for he has epitomised his country’s history in his personal and musical experiences. There is the poetic Nocturne in G Major, a Barcarolle of magically gliding double notes over a wave-like bass; the exquisite Mazurka in B Minor, with its coda trembling into silence; the graceful Valse in C Sharp Minor, the wonderful Etude in G Flat, the beautiful Scherzo in B Flat, and the Etude in G Flat. Paderewski will also play his own Legende in A Flat, and the programme will conclude with Liszt’s Rhapsodie Hongroise No. 12. A special notification as to box plans and prices of admission will be found in our advertising columns. The box plans are at Lewis R. Eady and Son, Ltd. Country patrons wishing to secure reserved seats should make immediate applications (which must be accompanied by postal notes or cheques), which will he filed in rotation and seats allotted accordingly. Paderewski and his suite will arrive on Tuesday and there is sure to be a large gathering to welcome the master-musician, who is bringing four grand pianos for the New Zealand tour.