NEW ZEALANDERS AT BECHSTEIN HALL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8517, 23 August 1907, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS AT BECHSTEIN HALL.

(From Our London Correspondent.) J LONDON, July 12. Artists from New Zealand are always assured of a hearty welcome when they appear before English audiences, and that given to Mr Marcus Laing was no exception to the rule. But, unfortunately, if lam to be truthful, I cannot give the glowing account that I should wish of his performances. He appeared to be nervous, and it being his first appearance before the crowded audience must be his excuse for renderings that will certainly improve in time. The Hall has heard many finer performances of the Sonata in C sharp minor (Beethoven), sometimes called the "Moonlight;" indeed, some of his passages were slurred and even wrong notes touched, especially in the last movement. Chopin selections followed, and other varieties, most of them showing that the pianist will have to spend much more time in practices before again trying, with that confidence which is absolutely necessary, the well-tried audiences for which Bechstein Hall is justly famous. I turn with great pleasure to the colony's other representative, Mr Arnold Trowell, the 'cellist. On Wednesday he did much to confirm the excellent impression he created upon his first appearance. For his principal contribution he turned to Saint-Saens' Concerto in A minor—a work to which every 'cello player at the present day • takes kindly—and certainly the oppportunities it affords for the display alike of emotional qualities and brilliant technique were not thrown away in this instance. A Sonata by Boccherini followed, and after this came a group of smaller pieces. And these became the aritist, if anything, better than what had gone before. In a melodious Elegie of his own and a Berceuse of Schubert—which was encored —Mr Trowell's beautiful tone, his refined feeling, and finished phrasing were exhibited to conspicuous advantage, while nothing could have been better than the lightness and dexterity with which Davidoff's "Am Springbrunnen" was given. Miss Mabel Rutland was accompanist.