WILHELM BACKHAUS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1014, 3 July 1930, Page 17

WILHELM BACKHAUS

FIRST RECITAL TONIGHT At the Town Hall tonight. Wilhelm Backhaus, the world famous pianist, commences his second tour of the Dominion, after an absence of four years. His first tour here was one of the outstanding events in the musical history of New Zealand. For months prior to his visit, his coming was on i the lips of all in the musical world. I The great name he had made in music j circles in the older world ranked him j as one of the outstanding pianists of j the day. Ilis great artistry and j talents left an abiding impression which is sure to bring all those that heard him then, to the Town Hall again. His work during the past four years in England, Germany, youth America, France, Spain and other countries lias placed him on an even higher plane, and today lie is regarded by many critics as being without peer as a pianist. Having practically all the great works ever written for the pianoforte in his repertoire, he is able to frame unrestricted programmes, and the programme for his opening recital tonight is a widely appealing one, including two Beethoven sonatas, opus 31, No. 3 in E flat major, and opus 81, in E flat major; Bach’s “Italian Concerto”; four Chopin studies from opus 10: Nocturne, opus 62, in B major; Prelude in E flat major; Waltz in D flat major, and Scherzo in C sharp minor, all by Chopin. “Serenade,” from “Don Juan” (Mozart-Back-haus), “Liebestraum.” and “Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2,” by Liszt. Recitals will also bo given on Saturday and Monday next. Plans arc now open, and day sale tickets are at Coleman’s.