The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-06-23
Final Concert Enjoyed.

The third and final concert of the
Withers Concert Company last night
was even more of an artistic success
than either of the two which preceded
it. The cello pieces were played by
Withers with more abandon and less
attention to details. Madame Ely had
larger and better part of the pro-
gram and added to the reputation which
she has gained as pianist. The de-
parture of Madam Sobrino was ne loss
to the artistic makeup of the program
and took nothing from the pleasure OF
the audience.
Mr.. Withers opened and closed the
evenings entertainment. His first ap-
pearance was in a most delightful rem
dering of the andante and finale move
ments of Grieg's only sonata for cello
and piano, with Madam Ely at the
latter instrument Both of these move
ments were more beautiful than the
first movement of the same compost
ton heard at the opening concert. The
andante is full and sonorous, with just
a suggestion of the sensuous charm
usually lacking in all that Grieg has
written. 1t is doubtful if any part OF
the sonata can ever become popular,
but it is interesting and well worth
hearing when so beautifully played.
The next piece by Mr.. Withers was
the fourth on the program, and bears
the stupendous title of Tschaikowsky s
Variations, "Sur une Theme Rocco"
The title is simple compared to the
marvelously worked-put variations upon
very elusive and mystical theme,
which is neither melody nor motif.
A rocco is meaningless ornament in
architecture, deliberately workedf out,
but usually quaint and out of harmony
with the recognized classical ornaments
used for similar purposes. In music it
means as much or as little as the com
poser elects. The technical difficulties
of these variations are enormous, but
they were handled by Mr.. Withers as
if he had contempt for difficulties. One
admirer of Brahms says his music is
better than it sounds; and when asked
what he thought Of Tschaikowsky, re-
piled that it sounds better than it is.
This is certainly true of the variations.
The third offering of Mr.. Withers was a
couple of cello compositions by Mr..
Chas. Bennett, who accompanied at the
piano. The first was a romance of de
cided beauty, similar in style to the
cello pieces of Golterman, but more
modern. The second was a delightful
serenade which is fresh and spontan.
eous. They were so well received that
the audience remained long after the
close to demand a repetition.
Madam Ely was partly responsible
for the three recalls after the playing
of the Grieg. Her accompanying OF
the Tschaikowsky and Mr.. Bennett 5
first song were marvellous in her appre
citation of the duty of an accompanies
and her devotion to that duty. Hel
solos were portion of Mcdowell ,,
Opus so, a Rhapsodie of Holbrook ;.
and two studies of Chopin. She haC
many recalls and responded with Nc
Dowell IS "To a Water Lily" and will
a Staccato Caprice She is probably
at her best in florid pieces. There il
crispness to her notes in rapid run.
which makes each note stand out will
bell-like quality which is not lost by
any degree of rapidity which the piec,
calls for.
Mr.. Bennett is certainly the mos
versatile member of the company. II
is equally at home in singing, compo
sltion and piano. His first piece wa
the baritone solo 81 am a Roamer, ,
by Mendelssohn, a piece of no particu
lar beauty, but one of tremendous de
mands upon the singer AS an encor
he sang Handel's "Where ERE Yo
Walk" with somewhat different rer
dering than is usually heard. HI
singing of 'FLe Muletier" by Henrio
was his best effort.
The company has now finished il
tour of ten months, which began i