GERHARD WILLNER

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 529, 12 August 1949, Page 5

GERHARD WILLNER

Sir,-I have just read "A.B.’s" article, in the issue of July 15, on the subject of the revival of interest in Mozart. I entirely agree with most of his remarks on the subject, but I do think he is being unjust to Gerhard Willner. Like "A.B.", I do not pretend to be an expert on the subject of Mozart, nor indeed on any musical topic, but I feel that an artist of the standing of Gerhard Willner is a real acquisition to the musical life of the Dominion, and that he is the last person one would accuse of Resend ing round with the time." It is possible that "A.B." is not aware of the debt owed by many New Zealand servicemen to Willner, for his work as Director of the Music for All Centre in Cairo during the war. He has come to New Zealand with an international reputation, and after many successful recitals in Australia, with the intention of settling down here. Since his arrival he has performed many works in public, including all 32 of the Beethoven soratas, and all. the Mozart sonatas, I believe that such a performance is unique in the Southern Hemisphere, and I don’t think * there are many artists now living who could duplicate it. "A.B." suggests that Willner is not the right man to perform the complete series of Mozart’s sonatas for the NZBS. Perhaps he could suggest another artist in this country who is capable of/ duplicating Willner’s performance, let alone of surpassing the vigour and insight of his interpretation? For my part I look forward to hearing more of Willner, and I congratulate

the NZBS on having been fortunate enough to secure his services. Too many of New Zealand’s own outstanding musicians leave the Dominion to seek wider opportunities overseas. It would be a pity if an outstanding European like Willner should also be fotced to leave for lack of encouragement,

K. R.

MILLER

(Wellington).