Shura Cherkassky Makes First Speech

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 404, 12 July 1928, Page 14

Shura Cherkassky Makes First Speech

u n A GREAT MUSICIAN Blushing and searching desper—ately for some inspiration in the head of a gentleman who sat before him. Mr, Shura Cherkassky. the ' young Russian pianist, rose to answer the toast of his health proposed by Mr. Frank Hutchens at a luncheon given by the Musical Association in Sydney recently. It was the first speech he had ever delivered. Staring at the head as though it was ‘a crystal globe full of secrets and enlightening visions. he said. “1 than]: you very much. 1 have nothing really to say.” The audience applauded. "I have nothing really to say." he re—peated, “I thank you very much." Then he sat down heavily, looking the apotheosis of all unhappily shy boys. 311 Frank Hutchens said that Mr. Cherkassky Would be more fluent when he played to them on Saturday night. Then he would express all the gratitude Which flooded his heart. “It is wrong to look upon our guest merely as a. prodigy," said Air. Plutchens. “He is a. great musician, Whose talent is fired by a considerable genius." The luncheon was intended also to welcome Mr. Roy Agnew, the Aus—tralian composer. home from abroad. Butn ironically enough. Mr. Agnew, looking for health in the warm south, had caught a cold and was unable to leave his bed, 311-. Alfred Hill spoke enthusiastically of his achievements, however, and expressed the hope that Australia would rnake Mr. Agnew well again. and send him back to work in England With a cheque sufficient to spare him financral worry for at least two years.

Georges Thill, the great French tenor, has recorded “La Traviata”— Je suis aime de toi (Verdi) and “Herodiade”—Air de Jean (Massenet), for (Columbia L 1964).