The most enjoyable music of the evening occurred in the piano playing of Mr. Robert Hohner. Here is a pianist who has admirable qualities. He can be competent technically, when he likes; he has developed an insight; end he has a refreshing forthright manner of approach.
If criticism must be directed at his playing, he should be persuaded to [maintain a securer grip on the shaping [and phrasing of the quieter and pianissimo sections, particularly when there is no change in the speed. In these parts, Mr. Hohner on many occasions showed an aptitude (which may have dangers of developing into a habit) to forget about the essential tempo of the music, Many sections of Debussy and Ravel were allowed to wander away on their own, and thus became rather meaningless, A noteworthy instance, by way of example, occurred in "Reflets Dans lean." Bars 36 to 48 slipped off limply and unnoticed, and the right hand, beginning with the "En animent" section, did not articulate the scurry of the' important triplets which are all part of the long working-up passage which follows. His playing of the grave "Pavane" by Ravel was good: well-fashioned, though possible a trifle protracted, and he struggled successfully with "Alborada Del Gracioso," which is not at all a gracious thing to play. (How much more atmospherically Spanish this is in the orchestral version).
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.