The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1902-09-25
The MORLEY
RECITAL
Great Artist
Mrs. Castles
Mansion.

Tuesday evening closed short series
of recitals by Mr.. r. Barron Morley.
The event was an artistic climax Not
only were the conditions unusually fav-
orable to piano recital, but the hearty
of the audience showed the
marked growth in the publics appre-
citation of Mr.. Morley's genius. He
came here stranger, but can be sure
of an ovation upon his return. There
are certain marked points of excellence
in Mr.. Morley's performances which lift
him far above the range of mediocrity.
To say that he has wonderful tech
nique is something, to be sure, but
many pianists in these days have that.
To add, however. that he is always the
artist and never the gymnast or mere
executant We're a much higher praise
which must fairly be accorded him. In
Honolulu the people have admired his
almost faultless execution, but he has
won greater laurels for the finesse of
his work and there has been the grow
ing appreciation that the brilliancy of
technique is never more than a means
of expression. For instance, any one be-
sides musician would have recognized
his extraordinary skill in the rendi-
ton of Leschetisky's Octave Study, but
what delighted his Honolulu audience
was the exquisite light and shade there
in exhibited; from double forte, in mar
vellous speed by smooth gradations, one
is raptly listening to the most delicate
traceries in the same tempo. Apart
from some of the heavier work, which
one lady characterized as Titanic"
perhaps the general favorite was
Rubenstein's Barcarole in G. 1t has
been rarely, if ever, heard here, not that
the difficulty of execution removes 1t
from the ordinary repertoire, but to
produce that waving effect of singular
grace and beauty is absolutely beyond
the ordinary performer. The number
of demands upon Mr.. Morley for this
one number was a high tribute to his
genius. From Mr.. Morley's physique
and technique one woulu naturally have
expected rare power in the interpreta-
ton of List. There was no disappoint-
ment in this respect. The familiar
Polonaise and the Rhapsodie No. s left
little to be desired for rapidly inter-
woven fire and melody. Mr.. Morley
conception of Beethoven was well ex-
emplifedNin his rendition of the Sonata
Appassionata. Before the students OF
Kamehameha he added much to their
appreciation of the purpose and power
of Beethoven by short explanations OF
the themes and the way they were
worked out. Sonata by Schytte was
produced too early in the series, and
perhaps the tremendous demands made
upon the resources of the pianist were
in the nature of surprise to the audi
ence who had little time for apprecia-
ton. The last number which Mr.. Nor
ley played in this series was also III
the nature of a climax. The Ruben
stein Concerto may have been played
here before, but no more brilliant rendi-
ton of the D Minor one with Miss Cas-
tie at the second piano need be expected
or wished for in Honolulu. To the fact
that Mr.. Morley is entirely without af-
fectation or mannerisms which would
distract from his work should be cou-
pied an audiences appreciation of 6
dignified self-confidence.
Puuhonua, the Castle residence ir
Manoa, was singularly beautiful Tues
day night, and a select audience met
in what are the best rooms for the pur-
pose in Honolulu to hear the following
program:
II. Faschingsschwank aus Wien -.
.................. Schumanr
y. (a) Melody :. .Gluck
(b) Gavotte =. ................ Bach
| 3. Song-Magic Song :. ......
............... Meyer-Helmund
Mrs. L. Tenney Peck.
T. Etudes .....................C Chopin
E Major. OPP. 10. No. g.
A Flat. OPP. 25, No. 1.
Major, OPP. %, No. 3.
G Flat, OPP. Az, No. 5.
Mrs. L. Tenney Peck.
6. Concerto, D. Minor .Rubinstein
Second Piano, Miss Castle.
Accompanies, MISS C. B. Hyde
Mr.. Morley was obliged to respond
twice to enceres, and the audience
would have been glad to have induced
him to appear the third time. He was
fortunate, however, in his assistance as
Mrs. Tenney Peck was in excellent
voice and was recalled in both of her
appearances. Honolulu will hope to
again hear Mr.. Morley, who, unless all
signs of promise fail, should become one
of the worlds great interpreters of the
hest music