The return to London of the famous Austrian pianist, Artur
Sclmabel, to give a series of recitals at the Albert Hall brings into prominence once more London's grave lack of a moderate-sized concert hall since the destruction of the Queen's Hall during the war. It is well known in musical circles that when Mr. Scluiabel first came to London after the last war he refused to play in the Albert Hall, and his decision was applauded by all to whom he revealed himself by his recitals in the Queen's Hall as one of the outstanding musicians of Europe, a virtuoso of the highest rank, comparable only with such a musician as Toscanini. In the Albert Hall pianoforte playing of such subtlety and unusual range of expres- sion inevitably loses immensely, as does indeed orchestral and choral music also. We can only hope for a new Queen's Hall.
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