PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1919, Page 6

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

MISS LEATHAM AT CHRISTCHURCH. Miss Constance Leatham's pianoforte recital, given at the Choral Hall (Christchurch) before a very large attendance, was an emphatic success from all viewpoints (says the Lyttelton Times). The programme presented contained several works of note and was one calculated to test a performer's all-round ability thoroughly. None but tho most expert could hope to see such a programme through successfully and the stamina displayed by the young lady was remarkable. Not only did Miss Leatham play the works with ma' ed accuracy, but her interpretations were highly interesting. Her technical equipment was amazing in its development, and as, she played the whole programme without music the memory feat was something to marvel at. Miss Leatham Is a very line virile pianist, perhaps a little too forceful at times, but she is exceptionally brilliant and has exceeding gift. The technical portion of her 'studies have been most thoroughly mastered, as was evidenced in the expert manner in which she presented the Bach-Tansig Toccata and Fujue in D minor, the difficult Wagner-Lizst arrangement of the "Pilgrims' Chorus," from "Tannhauser," P-nd in the Appassionato Sonata (Beethoven). Brahms's Rhapsodie No. 2. Opus 70. ar.d Chopin's big "Polonaise," Opus. 53. The combination of the lyric with the epic element was very pleasing, but the tone-coloring was somewhat lost in the wonderful brilliance of the performer's efforts. The lyric contribution that appealed most was Schumann's' beautiful "Romance," Opus 28, No. 2. The Brahms Scherzo, Opus 4. lacked a little in lightness of touch, otherwise it was a very fine piece of work. Three Chopin studies—Opus 25, No. 1, A flat, Opus 25, No. 11—and the valse in G flat were excellent in all respects, while the same composer's "Nocturne," Opus 4S, and the Wagner-Lizst "Spinning Song." from "The Flying Dutchman," were very fine presentations of two entirely differing types of piano playiiig. The audience expressed its pleasure in most appreciative applause, and the soloist responded to recalls at the interval and again at the close of the final programme number. Miss Leatham was the recipient of several pretty floral tributes. J