THE CONCERT. - The Courier (Hobart, Tas. : 1840 - 1859) - 27 Jun 1846 (original) (raw)

Loading article contents, please wait...

Sat 27 Jun 1846 - The Courier (Hobart, Tas. : 1840 - 1859)
Page 3 - THE CONCERT.

OUR opinion of Mons. Ravin is unchanged it is confirmed.

We do not consider him equal to Paganini, but

he approximates more closely to that unparalleled artiste

than any performer we ever heard j while there is the

promise that the talent, the tact, the perseverance that have

accomplished so much, may yet do more. In the quality

of his tone, distinctness of. articulation, and the liquid

melting of his notes into each other, with indescribable

sweetness, we scarcely think him surpassed by that gifted

individual ; though he must yield to him in the frenzy

of inspiration-in the wonderful and the wild. It is

unnecessary to particularise the pieces performed by

Mons, li a van on Thursday evening. All were astonish-

ing; and, if not with equal, were all received with

rapturous applause. "Le Carnival de Venise," which

was enthusiastically encored, in the greater variety

which it presents and the wider scope it affords

for the display of the marvellous feats over which

Mous. Ravac has secured such perfect mastery, seemed

to maintain its position as the general favourite. If we

give an opinion, however, on this point, we think his

surpassing excellence is more fully developed in the

pathetic and the plaintive. His Adagio movements,

one of which, given on the former occasion, he kindly

repeated, were the very embodiment of pensive melancholy,

and expressed, as far as we can conceive it possible

for them to be expressed by musical sounds, the

The attendance, on Thursday evening, furnished ample

proof that the public of Hobart Town are neither deficient

in the taste to appreciate, nor the liberality to

I reward, the extraordinary merits of Mons. Ravac.

With characteristic caution, they seemed to suspect that

the reports of his splendidutiaimnents, from other quarters;

might have been exaggerated, or influenced by partial

prejudice. Having judged for themselves, they were

not slow to render the well-earned tribute of admiration

The orchestra, on this occasion, formed from the

Choral Society and the fine band of the list, was full

and effective. The overtures were admirably performed,

though, in the absorbing attractions of Mons. Ravac,

they appeared but to furnish breathing intervals for the

expression of astonishment and pleasure. Mons. Imberg,

from an accident to the piano, was prevented horn giving

his Fantasia, and compelled to limit himself to the office

of accompaniment, in which it would be difficult, if not

impossible, to find an efficient substitute.

Mons. Ravin has announced another Concert, at the

Theatre, on Thursday evening next.