A Wellington Artist Who Deserves to be Better Known

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 52, 5 July 1935, Page 24

A Wellington Artist Who Deserves

to be Better Known

AST week a "Radio Record" representative listened to one of those treats that come all too seldoma short recital by one of New Zealand’s most talented pianists, |The artist was Imelda Fama, a Wellington girl who deserves to be better known by the musicloving public. She has the mark of the great artist -the ability to interpret the most-dificult works with an ease and vigour that would: persuade the. casual listener to believe that the playing of concertos and sonatas was the simplest thing -in the world. .She played Balakirev’s "Islamey," an Oriental fantasy and one of the most difficult piano compositions ever written. And, what is more, she played it with a superb grace and strength. _ Miss Fama studied abroad for five years, one of her masters in Vienna being Friedrich Wuhrer, possibly Europe's foremost virtuoso. She has played before the great musicians of the world, and she has been com-: pared with Myra Hess and Irene Sharrer, and is said to have some of the characteristics of Cortot. : But’ she is, above all, an individualist, adding to her’ knowledge in the European school that trained Moseiwitsch and Poushinoff. The former was one of the first to. recognise Miss Fama’s talent and to urge upon her .he importance of studying abroad. She has a. repertoire that would do credit to a world-famous pianist, and her interpretations of Bach and Beethoven are noteworthy. Miss Fama deserves a better hear-ing-here is a talented artist whose creative ability should not be.allowed to run to waste. If New Zealand does,not appreciate her the great musical centres of the world will.