SHURA CHERKASSKY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 490, 20 October 1928, Page 16

SHURA CHERKASSKY

TO-NIGHT’S PROGRAMME

Shura Cherkassky, the young Russian pianist, whose amazing genius made such a profound impression on Thursday night at the Town Hall, will give his second recital to-night. Possible explanations for the phenomenon of Cherkassky’s powers, which are those of a first-rank virtuoso of twice his years, have been sought on every hand. Reincarnation, say some, and find here strong presumptive evidence to support their beliefs. Be it that, or be it the scarcely less wonderful and baffling thing called genius, the phenomenon remains one that the world does not witness often, and these recitals will long be remembered in Auckland’s musical life. Young Cherkassky suggests the very oposite of a mere vessel, a sort of docile medium, through which music is passed. One would say that he revels in his art, and in his power of expression. There is evident in his playing little enough of his years in the sense of immaturity, but in another sense all of it is vitalised and made immensely attractive by the spirit of his vigorous youth. He makes dynamic contrasts with often the most beautiful effect. Shura’s programme for to-night is framed on the same lines as his first offering, and contains some of the best in piano literature, commencing with the Chromatic Fantasy and Fugue (Bach), afterw’ards Beethoven’s everpopular “Moonlight” Sonata, a group of Chopin pieces, including the Ballade in A flat. Nocturne in D flat, Mazurka in F sharp, Polonaise in A flat; “L/’Orient and l’Occident” (Dvorsky), “Rush Hour in Hong Kong” (Chasins), Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 (Liszt), “Rigoletto” paraphrase (Liszt), etc. The plans are at Lewis Eady, Ltd., and the day sales at Coleman s. The third and final concert will be given on Tuesday evening. STARS WEAR NEW FROCKS What becomes of the dresses that the film stars wear? Many women would no doubt be extremely Interested to know. Studio-made gowns

cannot be reworn by the same person in successive pictures. Florence Vidor, who is now making “Divorce Bound,” wears 25 different gowns in the various sequences. Miss Vidor stated that, no star can afford to be seen more than twice in the same evening gown. After she has worn a frock it passes into the property room wardrobe, from where it is taken later for use by “extras.”