Theatre Royal.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 116, 20 May 1904, Page 2

Theatre Royal.

HEIUt FIUEDENTIIAL' S CONCERT. This world-famed pianist gave one of his magnificent recitals last evening in the Theatre Itoyal. Unfortunately for tiro Sew Plymouth people, referring o'f course to those who stayed away, there was not a very large audience. What was wanting in numbers, however, was fully made up by the hearty appreciation and enthusiasm after each 'item, contrasted with the breathless eagerness and spellbound wonder that ruled during the interpretation of the many and varied grand and beautiful themes. Herr Friedenthal proved himself veritably a king of pianists, and not only pleased but astonished the greater proportion of his hearers by his absolute freedom from affectation, refined interpretation, the wonderful manner of his execution, showing a complete mastery over technical difficulties, and remarkable delicacy of touch, and anon the marvellous power and fulness of tone in the various productions. The march from "Tunnhauser" (Wagner-Liszt) was singled out by t'hc audience for lavish and rapturous applause, the virtuoso's execution of this great composition pleasing them immensely. Then the storm scene from ' The Flying Dutchman" was another wonderfully fine interpretation, a rare treatment. The opening movement, gentle and wavy as the ship rode at anchor, then the earnest and strong : depicting of the storm raging, the roar of which permeates the next movement, the song of the sailor. The subsidence of the storm und the descent of the captain of the Dutchman to the shore were most sympathetically treated, evoking demands for an undeniable encore. And so with the whole programme given by the great muster. The numbers chosen offered every possible movement in high-class music by the world's great composers, and lovers of Wagner, Chopin, and Beethoven could never have heard' these compositions more artistically treated. 'The "Nocturne in F sharp," and a val.se by Chopin were favoured with the same enth'usiasm as 'greeted the same composer's "Polonaise in A flat," which was enthusiastically encored. A charming composition of Herr I' riedenthars "Csardaban l'usztahan," was interpreted in a style that could not be withstood. As the performer played on and on, providing the whole evening's entertainment himself, the audience grew more and more demonstrative, and the last two pieces, "Gavotte Antrqlue" (Corelli) and Hungarian Hhaj>sody, A'„. n," (Liszt) were heartily applauded and unanimously re-demanded. Herr Friedenthal used a line lJochstcin piano. This pianist is undoubtedly- the greatest master that lias ever visited this part of tile colony, and has amply justified his flattering advance notices. Those who attended were ceifainly well pleased, and lovers of music should be glad that thev have been given mi opportunity. of hearing such superb and masterly p | uv . "V l! ' v l'°l»ulur request, as fieriday „ 'I is "W* <-n toA MATINEE lienonnance will , l 0 ffiven at (01 t ■ o r i <, r, '" UH ' TIK " Ua ' ""J""' the buiiiil ol music teachers and ol w"" dav'M"' tl ! 1 ; .'f'Wli'iS Pianists bo Pleased to play J "'Xuol! wishing the virtuoso to interpret a Pteno C U ' a T e ' Hat 1110 Dresden ano Company's depot by Uvo this afternoon. We would again advise all who can do so to attend.