2 mins
From the ARCHIVE
FROM THE STRAD 1912
AUGUST VOL.23 NO.268
Jelly d’Arányi (1893–1966) would become one of the 20th century’s top soloists. The Strad reports on the 19-year-old’s early career, which began as a duo with her sister Adila (1886–1962)
During several visits to this country the Misses Aranyi have shown that they possess the art of playing duets with complete sympathy and understanding, and their performances of works by Bach and Spohr were memorable ones.
Adila and Jelly von Aranyi were born in Buda-Pesth, the daughters of a Hungarian father and French mother.
Their musical inheritance is no mean one, as, in addition to many talented amateur relatives, they are the great-nieces of Joachim, so their musical proclivities as small children evoked no surprise in the family circle.
Joachim, who had taken a great interest in his two nieces, offered to give Adila some lessons if her parents would allow her to go to Berlin. The master spared no pains to perfect her education, and during the months previous to his death Miss von Aranyi had the privilege of daily study under Joachim’s care, and innumerable opportunities of hearing him play, and of meeting all the notable musicians of the day. A priceless reminder of these days is the fine Stradivarius violin which Joachim bequeathed to her. Meanwhile, the younger sister Jelly was still at the Academy in Buda-Pesth, where she passed from one class to another in rapid succession, her talent receiving ready recognition from her teacher, Hubay.
CHERYL MAZAK
The idea of appearing as duettists took root some four years ago, and on their first appearance in public when they played a Bach Concerto the sisters were so warmly encouraged by critics and public alike, that they determined to make the plan a permanent feature of their programmes. Their ensemble is so perfect that no disparity of style is observable, but individually Adila, in accordance with both her nature and training, leans to the purely classical school, and her playing is sound, scholarly and refined but not inspirational. Jelly on the contrary has naturally almost an excess of temperament, and a warm vivid style which rings true. Latterly, however, she has devoted herself to the study of the classics, and has altered her style of playing somewhat, but personally I think she is at her best when giving free rein to her natural characteristics. Still it is in their combined work that the sisters von Aranyi are heard to the greatest advantage, and in this respect they occupy an unique position. www.thestrad.com
