ENTERTAINMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 July 1918, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

. PIANOCTOB.TE EMTAIj. iBY MUSS EILEEN CUDEOTD, It ia seldom that a pianoforte recital ,suoh as that given'by Misa Eileen OBfford at the GXxA Templar Hall tat night ,is to be heard in th*i larger .centres, and rarely, if ever, in the smaller towns of the Dominion, and it waa not surprising, therefore, that the hall was filled With a very appreciative audience. Miss Clifford is an artiste of unmistakable talent, and undoubtedly has a brilliant future before her. She commenced her training at the age of six years with Miss Maggie Westwicke (pupil of Madame Schumann), from whom she passed ;<to> Oarl Weber (Vienna), principal of the Hampstead Conservatoire and the London Academy of Music. Following a course with Weber, she proceeded to Brussels, where her studies under Professor Adolph Wouters were interrupted by the outbreak of war. Miss Clifford then came to New Zealand, with the intention of ari early return to England and the Continent to pursue her studies, but plans have had to be suspended on account of the long duration of the war. Whilst In the Dominion Miss Clifford

under the direction of Mr. R. Neviflft Renaud, of New Plymouth, and during tiro short time (leas than three years)' she has been his pupil she has secured •tito Royal Academy diploma of UU&i of RJLM. and RJC.M. Miss CKffordj trig also awarded the gold medial in the a/$* ' vanced grade examination in 1816, ans' was recommended for an Australian Exhibition flor that year, entitling her to-fc" free three-year course of tuition at tt»' Royal Academy, which, of course, sfo had not bean able to take up owing ip the continuation of hostilities. Site hokls a special diploma for lhaving passed all tie Royl Academy of MusSc examinations in pianoforte with honors. The programme selected for Miss OKf-' "ford's recital las* night required the ability of an artiste to sustain, and tbfc was accomplished by her In a most finished manner- Not only has sue acquired a wonderful techniqne, but she possesses that without which the most polished execution is dead ami eouHesf —temperament- Oonseqnently her inierpreta/Kon of the 1 various numfcera select- ' ed was marked by a warmth of tone'eolorfng rarely met with in so young an artiste. _ She he.'- ■ moßfc elastic tonea", which cnsJMes hot- o master fbe muff -difficult phrases wilh conSnjnjnate eatse. And, furthermore, alte possesses a pfeasiSng pereonaKfy, which qtrJoMy winSlfe 'way in fche heart of an audience.

Msa CMor'eflrst Concerto No. 3, in 0 armor (Op. 873F, which was played .ws& orchestral accompaniment on a second .piano By Mr. Bffiaiid. This work was a heavy task for a debutante,, But ah§ gave the in a" thoroughly musieianly style. Tfie opening allegro was charateteriseff Try ; a\ clear, action', whOe the MI harmonies of the tSfulry brought bnt and snsteinet!. Tie rondo allegro was! brilliantly and Miss Clifford was tastaaJtly-feiaifi the favor of her audience. The ortffiStral accompaniment was played id & i sympathetic manner by Mr. Renaub", "WHS ■ Btodiea appreciation of thS soTo paTt ! The most conspicuous of Miss Oifliwd'g' otflier numbers were the ISsafc KB. 'B, Rhapsodie and variations' by Brahms ofi l 'a theme of Handel, both of which gftv®. her scope for the display of the strength J of.her touch, ami in which some Hril* liant left-hand work 1 was done. TKST Ohopdn numbers included the Gnao? Tatee iri A flat (Op. $5), Etude In CP&J& '(Op. 10 No. 5), on the blade keys, anai Schereo in 0 sharp minor (Op. 39), aS& in these, en in the other numbers, Mfc St' OEfford was equally siKleeßßfal" Tfie; Mendelssohn school was represented oV *he well-known "Spinning Seng" (Ns| • B*')'. In the Debussy number {*MjfJ sons &Or") was represented the mottergs IVencH school, and though no 6 much 3' favor with the average audience, fife item, as given by Miss Olifßord, wa& 'WeJU presented and received with ins&rit SS» preeiaitiori. 'All Miss Clifford's worfi iw heartily applauded, and she was the ste* eipient of some half-dozen her admirers.

The vbeaKffls wKo aSsMed' MSs 'OBf-' Iford were Mrß. TOlkeg ana* Mr. & tk, Odoper. Mrs. TOlkes chbse for her finl& number SuTlivftn's "Orpbtens with Bob Lute," and, in response to a recall, sang Tjeoni'a "IJe&vea and the Wind.'' Mr.Cooper sang bnebf Korbay's toalabifions of Hungarian melodies, 'Bad a Borsef and, for an encore, gave Edward Gorman's rolKeMng "Pour Jolly Sailor - men." The accompaniment were played 1 by Miss Chong and Mrs. Cooper. . The ipionos for the concert were kindly leaf by Mrs- D. Blaekley and Collier's.

It is Miss Clifford's intention id devote the proceeds of the recital to jfche Red Cross Copper Trail fund. THE SCARLET TROOBAIDOIMS. The Scarlet Ttouft&dkvurs appeared, iagain before another very large audience test night a* the Empire Theatre, when they were accorded art even more enthusiastic reception few on the first night. The soloists again achieved sue•cess each in their own department, whilst the comedianß kept up the merry round of jest and: joKng throughout the evening. The burlesques and sketches were' diverse in character, and were presented in an amusing and entertaining manner, some clever hits being made. The Troubadours will give their final performance in (Now Plymouth,to-night, n when another new programme will fie' presented- The company will play, at Waitara on Thursday evening. "THE LIMBSaF'THEIULW." Lawyers' Day at the Red -Oro&s Matt is evoking great enthusiasm among the legal fraternity, who' are.working howl to ensure that the day shall prove si sue* eessful one. "The Umbel of the Lanf' have hit upon a popular idea of raising funds, and at the same time entertaining the public by giving an entertainment in the Good Templar Hall to-morrow and a glance at the programme will sh>o3w that a capable and versatile band of en*ertinsrs have been brought together. The opening half of the programme will introduce some v&jalists Who ate favorites with Nww Plymouth audiences, including Miss V. Gilbert and Mrs. Sbmmerville, who have not been heard here for sometime and can Be assured of a warm weV Borne, also Mr. N. Lay and Mr. P. % Carter, the last-named a new performer , here. Mr. A. 0. Sturroek: will delight . with selections at the piano. The second half will be devoted to the doings of the "Troupe," who will sing an opening , chorus, whilst i*a various members will seen in special songs and choruses, the"' Soloists being Misses V. Gilbert. E. Fox, and O. Palmer. Miss Bora Bedford will nive an inimitable musical monologue, • "Dismal JimmSe." The Tally Ho dance and Dutch dances by members of tilt troupe will also be something special