Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1909-09-07
WITHERS' CONCERT
WELL RENDERED
By D. I. MacKaye.

Notwithstanding the presence of
Tschaikowsky and List on Mr..
Withers program last night at the
Opera House, the con5ert was strict
.ly popularity classical. LISTS
Rhapsodie Hungroise No. 10 was
the purest classic rendered, Strauss
romanclsm placing the opening num-
her in u more modern school. Mr..
Withcrs' violoncello work grew
stronger during the evening and
made me wish that the first move
ment of Strauss Sonata in + major
for pianofolte and cello had been
the closing instead of the opening
number. Withers' tons is keep and ex-
pressive, and subsequent work prov
cd his mastery over his instrument
better than in the Sonata. The ale
gretto motifs were a little strained
and harsh, fault which most mas
tiers of the cello are hardly ever
able to overcome. The exQuisitely
dainty sonata was well chosen, and
Nine. Elzy's work ON the piano was
faultless.
Herbert's light opera touch was
lainly evident In the Cansonetta
given as the fourth number by Mr.
Withers, and am little disap-
pointed inasmuch as having heard
of Herbert's ability in more classical
lines, | was expecting something diff
ferent. Van Goens' Scherzo, imme-
diately following the Cansonetta,
brought forth an unexpected phase
of Withers' playing in the tremolos,
which were executed with consul
| mate skill.
Hungarian music was on the pro-
gram twice. and personally ! could
have wished for more, for there is
nothing SO divinely passionate as
the Tzigane motifs. but believe Mr..
Withers could have chosen more
typical selection than Fischer's
Czardas. which closed the program.
II has trace of more sedute thought
than is common with gypsy music.
! would like to hear him and Nine.
Ely play the Hungarian dances
from Berziot's Damnation of Faust,
the sombre Frenchman being almost
the only civilized man" who was
capable of sounding real Tzigane
depths. ,...
Two encores were rendered by
Withers, the Swing Song by Ethel
Barnes, with which | was unac-
quainted, and one OF BENEFITS Sere-
nades, which seemed typical of Mr..
BENEFITS personality.
Nine. Ely is strictly technicist
and sacrifices too much sometimes
to technique, but as a technicist
do not believe she has many superb
ors, her playing being real sur
prise last night. LISTS Rhapsodie,
her most pretentious number, almost
proved too much for her capable
hands, but she never quite let the
piece get away from her. As an
encore she gave a cleanly executed
Chopin mazurka.
TschaikOwsky's HumOresgue, al.
ways favorite as u pianoforte sole
on classical programs, did not lose
Its queer charm under her inter.
probation, barring the slight fault
evident In all her playing, that she
Is too purely technical. The Walls,
Oubliee of List preceding the HUI
moresque was well rendered. Cow
ems Moroccan was given as an en-
core. "
My traditional tendencies wer,
somewhat shocked by Mr. Bennett
acting ms his own accompanist, an,
! did the best ! could to get incenset
about it, but could not. console,
myself with the fact that nobod,
else except Mr.. Bennett could hav
done 1t with the naturalness an,
grace that he did.
II was the first time ! had tn
pleasure of hearing him, but 1 be
lieve he Is too well known and TO
well liked here to need commentary
lie has never abused his voice
which is the great virtue of a goo
singer, and the songs he chose wer
htted to him perfectly. do nc
think he will ever be great sing
er. Great singers are made by IN
, insipid opinions OF faded opera &c
ers, but he has an unusually pur
baritone and his nnnumniaiinn