ENTERTAINMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 87, 3 October 1911, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENTS

FRANK lIU'fOHENiS' RECITAL. ' A pianoforte recital »f extraordinary merit was that given at the Theatre Koyal last night by Master Frank Hut(dien.s w Zealand's (brilliant young pianist. He mad.' an excellent impression Ihe audience was delighted appreciative, enthusiastic. The yoiui" artist, 'whose programme was alreadv extensive, had to yield to an almost insatiable demand for encores, and the enthusiasm and eagernesn grew with each appearance. .Master Hutch..Becomes as ( ,mte the last ll,in™ from the Koyal Academy of .Music, London, but style is distinctive. His course of tiammg has not quenched but rather served to heighten his individuality, and he is unspoiled by his successes.' Perfectly natural, unassuming, and si.h-ore, he was a,ble to produce from the beautiful horizontal Bechstein grand piano Kuch wealth of melody, by ,such marvellous correctness of technique that the performance was voted a revelation. Without the graceful and emphatic success of Mme. Oarreno's style, this gifted young artist produced work worthy of that great pianiste herself, and bids'fait to rank among the musical giants of the age. He opened with Chopin's Sonata in B minor, and -with infinite •Kin gave the audience to understand the great composer's meaning. YorkBowcn's "Nocturne" and "Scherzo" were "i the nC xt triplet, and the light nine lapidity of the Angering, the marvellous use and subdued nature of the bass, and, <lri ln '" s wk, the clearly enunciated' melody throughout, threw the audience into an ecstasy of delight, and he had to add Lizst's ''Liebestramn," a deli-ht-fivl piece of music. But the "Hungarian Rhapsody Xo. 10" (Lizst) -was the piece (le resistance. A slight slip at the opening caused the pianist to throw his whole energies into the rendition of this, one of the finest compositions that has been contributed to the world of' music. The grand erescendos and some rare staccato passages were brought out in masterly style, and the last note was sounded amidst a silence that was expressive and impressive. Then the enthusiasm of the people burst bounds, and no amount of acknowledgement would satisfy. The pianist resumed his seat amidst a furore of applause, and plaved Mendelsohn's "Spring Song," which, whilst delicately and charmingly treated, was perhaps too simple and too great a contrast to the grand work of the Liszt which preceded it. Delightful indeed, tender, vigorous, and sweet, as the \\ theme demanded, were the five "Etudes" of Chopin. Mr. Will Hutchems, wellknown as a capable singer in oratorio and concert work, was welcomed, on his reappearance here. He reached the topmost point of his contributions in "My Queen," late in the second part, but his robust tenor voice -was also well suited to Handel's recitative •'Thanks t.v my brethren" and air "How vain is- man," this florid setting demanding treatment of more than ordinary difficulty. To a vigorous encore he sang "The Lost Chord." He also sang "The Sands of Dee, The Browny Bird" («. composition of Mr. Frank Hutchens), and "There's a. -Land. Miss Ethel Oarter, a' mezzosoprano of considerable ability, contributed f.The Willow Song" ami "Orpheus and his lute" in the first part, and turned an undeniable encore. In the second part two pretty lullabies came from her lips, and they were so sweetly given that another encore greeted her. "Kate 0 Shane wais selected as her recall number, and the singer did the song fitll justice. Miss Mabelle Harris plaved the accompaniments throughout a very enjoyable evening.