PARTY FOR PIANIST

Radio Record, 17 July 1936, Page 3

PARTY FOR PIANIST

QNE of the good things done up in small parcels was Miss Imelda .Fama’s brief performance when she was introduced to’a party of Wellington people in the lounge of : Hotel St. George last week. She played only three numbers, but all of them were thoroughly appreciated ; and for good reason which had nothing to do with the serving of cocktails. A couple of friends of: this distinguished young performer had organised’ this’ reception in Miss Fama’s honour, and Bignora Mario Dessaules, hostess... The hotel ‘management provided an appealing floral array The difficult Chopin Ballade in G Minor’ wag played ‘with remarkable alacrity-at a-speed, indeed, which was little short of amazing for such work. Yet it lost none of its necessary accuracy or clearness. Her touch and emphasis were perfect, and her splendid control‘ left no room for distortion of rhythm in any difficult passage. The entire structure of the Ballad was firmly and smoothly presented. Ornamentation was kept in its correct proportion and was unfailingly an enhancement of the. theme.. Judged by any critical standards whatever, this performance measured up to the quality of the best that has been heard in New Zealand within recent memory. The manner in which Miss Fama played Schumann’s Romance illus. trated. in another direction the adequate ability’ possessed by the New Zealand pianist. There was not in this composition so much of a test for technique, yet the very charming manner in which this morsel was _ interpreted made a definite impression on her musical -audience. The other composition was Liszt’s well-known "La Campanella," which makes unusual demands on both per: former and instrument. The upper and lower registers produced a satisfying brilliance of effect, comparable with Levitzky’s popular recording of this piece, but with slight differences in interpretation. Throughout her short recital Miss Fama produced, when necessary, a volume of tone which was almost incredible coming as it did from a baby grand piano. When he introduced Miss Fama to her informal audience Mr, O. N. Gillespie strongly deplored the persistence of a "small-town" complex in New Zealand’s attitude toward .Dominion artists, whether they be musical, literary or otherwise. During his connection with the recent Authors’ Week he had realised as never before the seriously suffocating effect of such an attitude toward artists,