References

• Mr Buddee’s Grand Farewell Concert MR. BUDDEE'S FAREWELL CONCERT. On Saturday night, at the Melbourne Athenaeum, Mr. Julius Buddee made his farewell public appearance in the midst of a fairly numerous and admiring audience, and in so doing brought to a close, so far as this city's concerned, a distinguished artist career of 35 years duration. The entertainment was of the most enjoyable kind, and quite in keeping with the known characteristics of the principal performer. The audience were made to share freely in the pleasure which comes from hearing music played conscientiously for the sake of the beauty there is in it, rather than as a means of showing off technical skill and merely digital dexterity. A perfect master over the manual of the pianoforte, Mr. Buddee has always been distinguished by his truly artistic trait, namely, that of subordinating the player to the composer, and using his best skill and sympathy to present in fairest light the very poesie and spirit of the music upon which he is engaged. A fitting selection of his final solo performance was found in the larghetto movement from the Second Symphony of Beethoven, arranged by Liszt. This, the musical reader knows, is perhaps the most gracious movement in all music known up to the present time, and it was played with profoundly impressive and penetrating effect. The transcription is harmoniously full, as becomes a reduction from a great orchestral score to the capacities of the pianoforte; and this was made to appear through an admirable mastery of touch which suggested variety of instrumentation and the charm of musical colour. The dignified and pathetic musical phrase which marks the opening movement and pervades the whole of the larghetto to the end was full of grace and fervour suggesting an unmistakable tones the strength of resignation and the joy of perennial hope. The player himself was full of the beauty of his theme and completely charmed all hearers. On entering on the platform Mr Buddee was accorded a must, enthusiastic reception, and the applause was renewed with equal warmth on the conclusion of this beautiful performance. At the commencement of the second part of the programme Mr. Buddee had associated with him a lady, Mrs. Sigismund Jacoby (nee Horwitz), who was formerly his most talented pupil, and is now an executant of the first rank in private circles. Their performance consisted of the grand duo for two pianos on themes from Meyerbeer's "Huguenots" arranged by Pixis. The principal theme in this is the final trio in the 5th act between Valentine, Raoul, and Marcel, which is largely developed in the way of variation and ornamentation The appearance of such master and pupil as Mr. Buddee and Mrs Jacoby m this elaborate and highly finished interpretation was full of interest to numbers amongst the audience, and the hearty applause which followed the conclusion of the pieces was well earned by the excellent performance of the players. The other selections in which Mr. Buddee was engaged were the trios Op. 59, by De Beriot, and Op. 32, by Taubert. In each case he had associated with him Messrs Henry Curtis (violin) and A Montague (violoncello). The De Beriot trio above enumerated is one of the four trios published by the composer. The movements are—1, moderato ' 2, adagio, and 3, rondo allegretto; each subject is tuneful and graceful, and the effect of the whole light and pleasing. The allegretto scherzoso movement from Taubert's trio Op. 32, with its strongly accentuated suggestions of Scottish tune, is the outcome of a journey undertaken by that bright minded composer through England and Scotland in 1836. The execution in each case by the players named was perfectly satisfactory, and they were loudly applauded. This was the first concern appearance in public by Mr Henry Curtis since his return from his European tour. His true intonation and correct execution as a violinist were well approved by the audience. Mrs. Armstrong (nee Mitchell), a former pupil of Mr. Buddee for pianoforte, and present pupil of Signor Cecchi as vocalist, surprised and delighted the audience by her easily fluent and highly-finished execution of the cavatina for soprano voice, "Regnava nel Silenzio," from "Lucia di Lammermoor," and Tosti's effective song "Goodbye." With her natural qualifications and acquired accomplishments, this young lady is undoubtedly an admirable singer. Mrs. Palmer sang with fine voice and excellent expression the song "Severed," composed by Sir William Robinson, and Kalliwoda's song "The Mountaineer's Home" (with violin obligato accompaniment by Mr. Curtis). Mr. Armes Beaumont's contributions to the vocal work of the evening were received with high favour. They were Pinsuti's "I heard a voice," and "The Pilgrim," by Adams. In the last named Mr. Beaumont sang the high note C in alt with assured power and good effect. Mr S Lambie sang I "She comes in all her loveliness," by Wallace, and Schira's song, “Joy and Sorrow," with a very full accompaniment of piano, organ, violin, and violoncello. We mention, finally, a "Romance for Violin and Piano," composed by Mr Austin T. Turner, and played by Mr. H. Curtis and the composer; this composition is marked by grace and sentiment and good feeling. Messrs. Otto Vogt and W. Hunter assisted throughout the evening with Mr Buddee in the work of accompaniment. The audience were warm in their applause, and the recalls were very numerous. Mr. Buddee will shortly take up his residence in Sydney.