Ignaz Friedman Returns

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 159, 26 September 1927, Page 1

Ignaz Friedman Returns

\ FAMOUS PIANIST DOES i NOT AGREE WITH PADEREWSKI’S CRITICISM OF i NEW ZEALANDERS AND f AUSTRALIANS i L j

“NOT OUR PROVINCE” TGNA2 FRIEDMAN, the famous * pianist, who has returned to New Zealand to-day by the Niagara, would not ‘echo the opinion of Ignace Paderewski, his distinguished compatriot, in regard to the musical taste of New Ze'alanders.

“Though I have the highest regard for Mr. Paderewski as a man, as a statesman, and as a musician, I do not feel that visiting artists should make such stEitements,” declared the equally great Friedman. The attention of the pianist had been dravra to Paderewski’s declaration in New York that New Zealanders were more musical than the Australians. “There are many things that an artist feels,” Mr. Friedman pointed out, “but which he cannot express. 1 do not think it is the province of distinguished visitors to make these comparisons.” Both in New Zealand and in Australia the pianist was most impressed at the youthful musical talent offering, especially in regard to singers. “But the trouble with New Zealand particularly,” said Mr. Friedman, “is that there are insufficient professionals in the country. There are not enough really good all-round musicians.” Friedman was convinced that a galaxy of seven stars of the musical firmament was far too much for either New Zealand or Australia. “Of course it is all very well for students to hear different interpretations of famous works by different well-known exponents,” he cam, when all is said and done, we are really a ‘coming and going’ element, and the musical soul should be cultivated on the spot.” There had been far too many artists within the last few months, he added, and there were far too many commercial enterprises handling the musical fare presented to New Zealanders and Australians.