PIANO RECITAL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9043, 30 January 1908, Page 5

PIANO RECITAL.

At the invitation of Miss Eva W. Wood, A.T.CL. (pianiste), a large number of residents attended at the Foresters* Hall, last evening, td listen to her pianoforte recital, assisted by Miss Aimee Piper, of Oamaru, from which town Miss Hood has recently come to Masterton to follow her profession as a teacher of the pianoforte. The programme was tastefully selected, and the performances of the players greatly appreciated. Tha opening item, for two Dianos, the well-known "Turkish Patrol," at once took the ear of the audience, while Paderewski's captivated them, and an was demanded. It was in Mendelssohn's ; "Concerto in G Minor," however, that the true merit of the .performers v,a? evidenced, but the intripacies of 1 o'h pfimo and secondo were apparently easily overcome, and the applais; was continuous, necessitating a rjpetition of a portion of the Concerto. Miss Piper playetj two solos, Chopin's "Nocturne in E flat" pleasing the audience most. This lady, although only a young player, acquitted herself in a capable manner, and we should say has a future before her as a solo pianiste. Uf Miss Hood's playing we can safely say that one .and all thoroughly enjoyed it. Her technique, execution, and delightful expression leave nothing to be desired, and she at once has her listeners with her. "il Moto Continuo" (Weber) displayed her "fingering" capabilities, *and was marvellously well mainstained. But it was in the bracketed number (Rubinstein's "Melody in F" and Bendel's "Promenade") that her tni3 powers of expression and emotion were displayed, the Rubinstein number being splendidly handled, the phrasing showing the hand and soul of the artist. The same remark applies to her work in ; Mendelssohn's "Concerto." It is not saying too much to state that Miss Hood is a very fine pianiste, and one that Masterton has reason to feel proud of possessing. Just pr/or to tha playing of the "National Anthem," a vote of thanks was proposed to the Indies for their excellent entertainment, and this wss heartily given. The work of tuning and preparing th». two pianos for the recital was entrusted to Mr F. W. G. McLeod, L.T.S., and that gentleman has reason to be gratified at the splendid result achieved, all the items being particularly well in tune.