AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 188, 18 November 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

A PIANO RECITAL. Last night the audience attending the piano recital at St. Mary's Hall appreciated highly the unusually good and artistic programme provided by Miss A. Warren and Mr. 11. N. Renaud. The outstanding feature of the recital was the high excellence of the soli, both players exhibiting marked sympathy, artistic understanding and musicianly interpretation. The duos lacked nothing in technique, illustrating the close application that had been given to the perfection of detail. Miss Warren in her playing is wholly understanding and always finished and artistic. Her executive ability is especially marked and her phrasing unusually effective. Especially in Chopin's study in E Minor (op. 25, No. 5) were her capabilities marked, for she interpreted these delightful titbits of the great master with the finest feeling of his mood. In the Chopin prelude to F. Sharp Major (op. 28, No. 13), she was able to effectively show what the composer meant in his variable moods. Liszt's Rhapsodie Hongroise needs such special treatment that it is seldom heard in its true beauty. Miss Warren confidently undertook the difficult task of true interpretation and the varied beauties of a masterly composition were delightfully submitted. The audience were highly delighted with all the work done by Miss Warren, and when the Rhapsodie finished, all too soon, the lady received an ovation she certainly deserved. Mr. Renaud plays with power and emphasises his love of music by his work on the piano. The "Death of Ase" (Greig)was the finest example given of the kind of music Mr. Renaud loves best and which he therefore excels in. The player illustrated the solemnity of the theme and treated it devotional'ly. There was a strength in attack and phrasing wholly pleasing. He brough't this fine number to its conclusion with so much feeling that its appeal to the audience was instant and direct. Schumann's "Traumerei" .gave Mr. Renaud a chance to display his talent in another phase, and his interpretation was marked by mastery of 'technique and a certain suavity that gratified. The technical excellenec of both players was demonstrated in Dvorak's Slavisch Dance (op. 46, No. 8), the feature being the capability of expressing the difficulties. In the duets the outstanding number was the Beethoven Sympho.ny 'No. 7, in A. Major, and the Scherzo and Finale. There seemed to be in this number a complete artistic affinity, and the 'melody that haunts this quaint and beautiful work is- useful in a recity composed wholly of clasical music for its cheery tone and its sparkle. Altogether, recitals such as this one are musicallv helpful and enjoyable, and it is hoped that Miss Warren and Mr. Renaud may favor a larger public . During the evening Miss Warren received beautiful floral tributes, and there was ample evidence that" every hearer was highly pleased with the recital.