MOISEIWITSCH’S TOUR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 389, 25 June 1928, Page 14

MOISEIWITSCH’S TOUR

SEASON CONCLUDED It was pleasing- to note that for his final concert at the Town Hall on Saturday evening Benno Moiseiwitsch had such a satisfactory audience. Although the circle was only sparsely filled the body of the large hall was almost completely occupied. The three big numbers on Mr. T. Moiseiwitsch’s programme were the Bach “Prelude in C Major,” the Chopin “Sonata in B Flat Minor, Op. 35,” and Schumann’s “Etude Symphoniques.” All three were excellently done, particularly the Chopin number in which the lofty sentiment of the “Funeral March” was magnificently expressed. The infinite variety of Schumann’s Symphoniques was emphasisd by the treatment accorded by Mr. Moiseiwitsch. It was brilliantly played. The most interesting, and probably the most popular, was the third bracket, which included some of the moderns. Obviously as a compromise. Rachmanioff was represented by the C Sharp Minor and the G Minor Preludes. However, so excellent was the treatment meted out to them that one felt that the pianist was to be excused. Two works heard for the first time in Auckland were “Flirtation in a Chinese Garden” and “Rush Hour in HongKong,” by the young American Chasms. In successfully avoiding the usual Chinese chop-chop atmosphere Chasms has shown considerable originality. Furthermore he has succeeded in painting his picture without making the descriptive art too obvious. Another very fine descriptive piece was “The Swan,” by Palmgren. This charming little study was beautifully expressed. The new number was i'oert’s “Le Petit ane Blanc” (Little White Donkey), a fascinating little things which proved very popular. In his two concluding numbers Mr. Moiseiwitsch served up Schubert and List in “Hark! Hark! the Lark” and “La Campanella.” With all due respect to Schubert and Liszt the audience was in the mood when it would have preferred a continuation of the former fare. Among the encore numbers were two preludes and a berceuse by Chopin.