Mr. Lund's ConcertA concert was given at the Oddfellows’ Hall [image right: Hall being moved from home in Lichfield Street to Sydenham, 1903] last evening by Mr. H. M. Lund. The audience, although select, was unfortunately not large, and peculiarly, therefore, the concert was far from being a success. On this account it is perhaps the more gratifying to be enabled to state that from a musical point of view the entertainment was highly satisfactory.
Mr. Lund has but recently arrived in New Zealand, and his appearance last evening may be accepted as his introduction to the public of Christchurch, amidst whom, we believe he intends to practice his profession as a teacher of music. With the nature of the reception accorded him Mr. Lund has every reason to be gratified, for, at the close of his first piece, Mendelssohn’s concerto for pianoforte in G minor, he had repeatedly to bow his acknowledgments of the enthusiastic and continued applause with which he was greeted, and this notwithstanding the fact that he was placed somewhat at a disadvantage. A grand piano could not be obtained, and he had therefore to use an instrument which, although an undoubtedly good one, was not adapted for such a building as the Oddfellows’ Hall. This defect in the instrument was more particularly noticeable in the concerto referred to, in which the orchestral parts were played by Mr. R. Parker on the harmonium. Mr. Lund played Liszt’s transcriptions of Schubert’s “Faith in Spring” and “Erlking;” Chopin’s polonaise in E flat major, with harmonium accompaniment by Mr. R. Parker; and, with Mrs. von Haast, Schumann’s pianoforte duets, “Wreathing Garlands,” “Ring dance,” and “At the Fountain”. Of the transcriptions of Schubert, the “Faith in Spring” was fully appreciated, and with reference to Schumann’s duets, which formed the closing items, it may be stated that the only thing to which exception could be taken was the brevity of the pieces. There can be but little doubt that Mr. Lund’s abilities as a pianist, his crispness of touch and power of execution, will be fully recognized, and that he will be regarded as a valuable addition to the strength of the musical talent of Christchurch. We have to thank him for producing at his concert a class of music which is not frequently heard in Christchurch, and a greater familiarity with which would do much to elevate the public taste in this respect. Dr. von Haast was in better voice than we remember to have heard him on any previous occasion, and his rendering of Beethoven’s “Mignon” was heartily applauded. Miss Ada S. Taylor contributed two pieces, “With Verdure Clad,” and “Lo! Here the Gentle Lark,” Mr. Wood accompanying the latter with a flute obligato. Miss Taylor sang, as indeed she always does, carefully and artistically, and in a manner that ever winds for her the hearty sympathy of her hearers. Last evening Bishop’s song was her best effort. A pianoforte duet, Mozart’s variations in G minor, was played by two ladies.
Lyttelton Times, 14 September 1877: Amusements
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