PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1920, Page 4

PIANOFORTE RECITAL.

J A JiKFLLIANT SUCCESS. Mks Constance Leatham, the brilliant voting "Xew Plymouth pianist, who has , achieved great success in the magical V l>''"l<l. gave a recital in the Empire Tluatre last evening, in aid o£ the Gwl»* I itnsicl Knnd. There was ft large attendance, ami all the items wore with gemtine approbation, iliss I*atha\n proving herself undoubtedly a pi«B> i-'t of great technical ability afici feeling. The programme which jillss Leatham selected was a prodigious one, whieh would have called for most exacting ti enimont from a. more seasoned utfet, bui this gifted young lady shonrad, by a remarkable performance, that she ha?' a great reserve of artistic ability and stamina. She carried through a proi gramme of great variety with tltei full use of her remarkable talent, malt teg the rceiial a triumph which augurs well f«>r water triumphs. As a feat of memory alone the performance was Mu.icihiii;.' l:o marvel at, while Jifißs Leathnm displayed a masterly technique wliit'h could only bo the reward of long and serious study. Miss Leatlmm'a first item, Beothoven't Op. ,"i7 Appassionato," was excellently rendered. The "Andante Ton Moto," second movement,, though very much syncopated, was rhytUmatie. Chopin's- "Nocturne Op. 48" 'and "Polrnlaise Op. 53" were fxeeuted with great precision, in spile of tho ehordal stretches. Brahm's ••Scherzo Op. 4" and Schubertl.iszi's "Soirees <]e Vienne Op. fi" were verv daintily rendered; the Scherbo was well detached and brilliantly executed. Miss l.eatham surpassed herself in. the "Polonaise Cadenza No. 2" (Liszt), which requires no little ability in toehniqne and expression, As encore pieces Miss Leatham played .Chopin's "'Study in A /Flat," "The Pilgrim's Song," the Spinning' -Son# from "T!ie Flvi«jf Duteliman,-' and Chopin's "Walt* 'in 0 Flat." Bach's "Tocato and Fugue," which wa* given by special request, was rendered with wonderful ma iters hip and accuracy, and tho rhytlJm was well pronounced. The rendering of Chopin's music, with its many musical shades and expressions, was well executed. Mlas Lcatluim's pose is very natural, and her playing is rendered without any difficulty. Miss at ham's art was keenly appreciated hy the audience, which was responsive to the highest degree. Sueh well-executed classical music do» lot always come one's war. Mrs. Basham, who took Mr. XhadoD* ald's place, sand "faro Mio Ben" (Giordant) and "Should He Upbraid' 1 (Bishop). She has not a powerful voice, but a, big raugo for a contralto, her high note being equally as full. as. Uer low notes. .Mrs. Basham also «nT!g "Softly Awake My Heart" CSams<m and Delilah"), Saint <«aens, whieA she rendered with feeling. The nccompam*e whs Mies DougLv.