The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1870-12-20 00:00:00

GRIND EVENING CONCERT.

The pad musical treat prcenbed by the united
efforts of Her Van Heddegheni and Mr. Avant,
musician; whom Weymouth may be proud of having
for residents, &Wasted mush attention in our musical
world, and great was the regret felt that the c
of our uncertain climate prevented very many from
iro
attending as they meant to have done, at the Royal
Hotel Assembly Rooms on Monday last. There was
also to some extent a Gaunter attraction in the Church
Association lecture, which, no doubt, took away cer-
tain proportion of those who would otherwise have goao
to the Royal Hotel. Between orthodox ohinahmanehip
In the cosy National School-room and drenching rain
up our unprotected "Front," the ooneert-ers were
considerably thinned in number, and, although the
most thorough oonnoesiecrs were attracted to the eon.
, Geri room, and heartily enjoyed the rare treat afforded,
; yet the audience was, as might be expected, less
numerous than soled. The concert was opened with
Beethoven's delightful fonds in F, for violin and piano,
and of course Herr Van Heddegbem drew the quiver-
ing bow, while Mr. Avant toughed the responsive keys.
; Truly refined was the rendering, and perfectly affective
'in interpreting the great composer's idea; Herr Van
Heddeghern displayed marvellous facility, flexibility of
' fingers, and mobility of arm, coupled with maer.arii
power-Thus the violin part was perfect with re
to the execution, while the soul which the Herr infused
into his performance made itself felt In tones of the
'rosiest delicacy. Mr.T. Avant has long been known as •
player of very high class, his sorsoir faire being blended
with • refined Mate that would give utterance to noes
but the very best effects. Mr. H. Taylor, principal
tenor of Salisbury Cathedral, sang Rendegger'ile song
" Sunshine and Shade," with affecting pathos and feel.
lug; his pronunciation of the words made the song
more than usual enjoyable. while Mr. Taylor's fine
vein proved that the meet charming made can be allied
to the most perfect clearness of utterance. Mr. Avant
next gave a selection from Mendahmohn's "Lieder ohne
worte," • pianoforte mole that displayed again his
elegance of touoh, and perfect execution, and showed
how attractive music can be made without • torrent of
sound. Mr. Taylor next gave Blamental'i
with delightful saw-erten, and was warmly
Herr Van Ileddeghem terminated the fleet part of the
; concert by playing a solo on the y oneerio," by
Mendelssohn and Mr. Avaztrfuredoireselefdo
Hoe the
flendlegor4i'llhimusic:l4 at:ennt, being display
-noteulnwi6tlni
remarkable clearness and °harming delicacy, while the
soul with which the whole was instinct seemed a
log to modal ear for sympathy. The brilliantPEl
showed how thoroughly the accomplished player has
; overcome all mechanical difflealties, and was rattled off
with such readiness as convincingly proved how varied
are Herr Van fleddesthem's digital reseeded, while
there was, succession of the most joyous and enliven-
ing effects. Of course the most rapturous applause
greeted the performer. Mozart's Sonata in A for violin
and piano, commenced the mound part, and Messrs.
Heddegbem and Avant combined together to reader it
another triumph. Be. Taylor then tang Mr. Avant's
DOW song from Sir Walter Scott's" Lady of the Lake,"
"Soldier, rest, thy warfare's o'er 1" The composition
does great credit to Mr. Avant, and the musk well as-
cicada with the spirit of the worda. At the commenee-
meat the music is rather of a meditative character, but
; this is spiritedly contrasted with the martial effect
thrown into the words "Armour's clang," ho. Mr.
; Taylor did the song justice, by his excellent singing,
and the audience were charmed. Mr. Avant followed
with • pianoforte fantasia (Webb), and this he made •
great samosa, end elicited loud applause. Another
delightful song was "Anita" by Mr. Taylor, and here
his splendid Meer voice was wonderfully adapted to
the diameter of the air. Herr Van Heddeghem then
proved his genius as • composer as wall as by
playing a fantasia of his own, composed OMB years
ago, no theme was the composer's own, and he has
admirably worked out the variations into wide
di.ergeoelcs,wltbout leaving their fountain-head. Herr
Van Heddaghom revelled in difficulties which would
prevent the majority of players from ever attempting
the piece, and a yet numerous body would, if they
attempted it, utterly fail. Herr Van Heddegliem has
by this composition entrenched himself in his own
work so that extraordinary indeed mart be the player
who could reach himfTbe suaisoae,perfookky enchanted,
demanded an sneer's ; but of panne this was too mash
to ask. The concluding Oleos was " Gouned'a medita-
tions on Bach's first Prelude," for violin, pissieforte,
and vein., and here was indeed a surpeashig treat, for
the combination of all three performers was delightful,
while each was able to display the talents which Wolin-
guished him, and which he had tamed to so good an
amount. The eeegratulations and thanks of the magical
nubile mad be given to the ;minted muskies' who
combined to give this treat, and it is to be hoped that
on another occasion. the eh:meats may be more pre-
pitious. and *edits which greeted their attempt to
provide so charming an eatertainment, be repeated by
an audience of far Larger numbers.