IGNAZ FRIEDMAN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 93, 11 July 1927, Page 13

IGNAZ FRIEDMAN

POET OF THE PIANO An amusing story is related by Eugenio Pizani, a distinguished Italian pianist and composer, who now dwells in America, concerning th great piano virtuoso, Ignaz Friedman, who, under the direction of E. J. Carroll, will give three concerts in Auckland at the Town Hall, commencing Saturday evening next. “Ignaz Friedman is, in my opinion, one of the greatest living pianists,” said Pizani, in his reminiscences of famous musicians. • “My enthusiasm in listening to his last concert in New York was so unbounded that I wrote him, ‘As a reward for your stupendous playing yesterday eveniifg, I invite you to eat ravioli with me.’ To all who are acquainted with that delicious Italian dish, I do not need to explain that it means the highest homage which can be paid to a superlative artist. Of course, he accepted my invitation.” It is only quite recently that the principal London concert manager was fortunate enough to book Friedman for a tour of the British Isles, and following on his final concert at the Royal Albert Hall, at which there was an audience of 10,000, Mr. E. J. Carroll decided, irrespective of cost, to engage him for a tour of Australia and New Zealand, and the greatest success has followed Mr. Carroll’s enterprise, for at every concert there has been a capacity house and extraordinary enthusiasm. The box plans are now open at Lewis R. Eady and Son’s, Ltd., and the attention of students is drawn to the very liberal concessions offered as stated in the announcement elsewhere.