WILHELM BACKHAUS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1063, 29 August 1930, Page 14

WILHELM BACKHAUS

FINAL CONCERT OF JIEW ZEALAND TOUR Last evening Auckland received« fifth and final opportunity of eninra rare and exquisite musical ence. \\ ilhelm Backhaus, who half/ ' eluded a triumphal tour of the gave in the Town Hall his lastZr cert before leaving New Zealand.^* It was a programme of contr-t splendidly indicative of this pianist’s perfect technique aaieJ? Plete sympathy in every mood phase. His audience responded mac diately, and the genuine regret ■' members displayed in parting with k;‘ S after two delightful hours shc~2 clearly the deep admiration his v* has aroused. Backhaus has been honoured <Vj v erately and authoritatively- as • greatest of all pianists now before public. The closer one becomes - * quainted with his playing, ths> more" is persuaded to endorse that opin'- 6 for he silqnces criticism, rousing in instead the reverence that shotiM must be shown to great musician^ More particularly was it stressed hr this final concert that Backhaus j unique interpreter. The brilliant te nician and tone painter is, «s it subordinated, and Backhaus as a flawless, plastic medium of mi. cal expression. This impression was left mot strongly last evening after his Be?', hoven group. Backhaus, of course,as j Beethoven interpreter, is an actay-. ledged authority, and an atmospkV of re-creation was to be expects Three Beethoven compositions conr - tuted the first portion of the pr& gramme, the eloquent Sonata ia E Major being the principal work, lu presentation was studied and coaplete. DELIGHTFUL CONTRAST In delightful contrast was the preceding item, one of two in the ronh form. This, the rondo in G Majorsbetter known as “The Rage Over th? Lost Penny”—was brilliantly and hitr orouslv treated, the capricious ait petty rage of the theme standing cc clearly in the staccato melody. Chopin was represented by a piaist’s own arrangement from the F. Minor Concerto, the noble Nocturne C Minor, and four contrasting stud:?The performance of the first was a delight, the wistfulness of the theme era its quiet spirit being caught to perfection. Last in the Chopin group was the majestic, at times thrilling, Polonai" in A Flat. In this heroic, stately mea> ure the power of Backhaus in his mere expansive moments was felt. Sharp contrasts of moods were rrperienced again in two of Schumanr“Novellettes” and in the beautiful, sacdued Nocturne in F Major. The la? w ith its lovely chorale-like moments was a gem. After the final interval Backtab played the well-known Prelude ir Sharp Minor by Rachmaninoff. It a lesson in inspiration. Liszt s deli?, ful “AValdesrauschen.”’ and the H«* garian Rhapsody No. 12 with its map ficent climax brought to a close a pregramme that was in every respec: * memorable one.