From the ARCHIVE

Violinist Marie Hall, then just 18 years of age, talks to The Strad about studying with Otakar Ševčík and her burgeoning international career

Miss Hall waxes enthusiastic as she speaks of her work in the Bohemian capital. “Oh, Sevcik is undoubtedly the greatest teacher living, and I want everyone to know how much I owe to him.”

I remark that the young artist must have been talented to have accomplished in so short a time what Kubelik and Kocian spent years in achieving.

“Well, Professor Sevcik said that he had never had a pupil who worked so quickly, but I worked hard – ten hours a day. During my study time I played at eight concerts in Prague and was always well received, and after my performance of Ernst’s Concerto at the final concert of the Conservatorium received twenty-five recalls. My lesson lasted sometimes as long as four hours, but the professor is so kind and takes so much interest in his pupils that I enjoyed every minute of them. He is very strict with his pupils too, though now I consider him more as a friend than a master. His system is certainly unique.” “Are you nervous?” I enquire. “Oh no, not at all. I am naturally excited before a concert, but I love my work too much to think about anything but doing my best.” “You have also appeared in Vienna?” “Yes, and I had an amusing experience there. The audience was cold at first as I was entirely unknown, but they warmed up into enthusiasm after I began, and after playing five encores at the end of the concert the attendants turned out the lights. The people still refused to depart so I had to give my last encore in the dark. At Brunn too I had to give ten encores in succession, in addition to five solos.” “You are a very hard worker.” “Yes, without work one can do nothing. I even had to practise while travelling in the train, as I seem to have lived in cabs and on the railway lately, and I cannot do without work.”

Miss Hall’s next concert will be looked forward to eagerly by musiclovers, when if she confirms the first favourable impression, we shall no longer have to complain that we have no great English lady violinist to take Lady Hallé’s place.

In addition to a technique which has apparently no limits, she possesses a pure sweet tone, absolute certainty of intonation and a musical sense which may be developed to a very high degree with a wider scope and experience.

The violinist’s hands are an interesting study. While very small, with slender tapering fingers, they are wonderfully well developed and supple, with an abnormally wide stretch.

B. WINDUST

LENNARD RUEHLE

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