CHILDREN'S ORGAN RECITAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 10, 11 January 1918, Page 2

CHILDREN'S ORGAN RECITAL.

IDEAS OF YOUTHFUL CRITICS.

SOME INTERESTING ESSAYS.

A further section of the prizewinning essays in the competition promoted-in connection with the children's organ, recitale at the Town Hall is published in this issue. The essays, it should be understood, are not necessarily in order of merit, publication being given in the alphabetical order of the writers' names. The judging for the competition was done by the City Organiet (Mr. Maughan Barnett), and tho prizes, consisting of '■bcoke on mueic, were presented by Mr. S. Adams.

On March 30 an organ recital was given by Mr Maughan Bawiett, the City Organist, for the benefit of the public school children of Auckland. Au excellent selection of items on the organ, and two songs suug by Mr Barry Coney, resulted in. great interest being ' shown Uy Jhe . juvenile audience. The organ music was perfectly 'fitted for the occasion—not too classical for the children to enjoy, and not too common to spoil their taste in music. . /The, first item on the programme a. piecriffis J& maSfoilleiV «a v this erctitionUc"iiiTdßub7Gdly,\shows r tld*kilriu comorgan music. Next *ame a partorale T)y Lemare. Like niost r of this composer's pieces, it was a solf, idyllic, and fantastic composition, nnd, in my opinion, was, perhaps, the most enjoyable item on the programme. A festal march and an old English melody formed the next two items. The latter, specially arranged for the organ and carillons by Mr Maughan. Barnett, formed a most enjoyable harmony. The two songs comprising the fifth item were "Waiata Poi" and "Betty and Johnny." The former was encored—no doubt partly a result of the expression put into it by the vocalist. - '

"Good Night," by Nevin, was an excellent composition, rendered more pleasing by the skilful way It was played, and an overture by Adam, forming the final piece, was, as the organist informed us, practically operatic music. Altogether the programme was certainly the best given for .'Auckland school children in the last few years, and that, without a doubt, is saying a great deal.—REX FAIRBUBN, Standard VI., Parnell School.

As I entered the Town Hall I looked about and saw rowsujion rows of eagerfaced children .waiting for the opening strains of the instrument on which Mr Earnett was to play. As he came oat and took his seat, a burst of clapping greeted him. Soon the notes of Britain's anthem filled the air.

Afterwards -came a beautiful composition of music by an Italian. At first there was a hurst of bright music, which made mc think of happy days I had spent, for it made mc feel the influence of music. Suddenly there came a lull In this music, and quite distinctly, though from a distance, I heard people's voices blended in praise to God. I reflected, while this continued, on ■the goodness of God In making the mind of man compose such beautiful music.

While a piece called the "Spring. Song" was played, I fancied I could hear the ■birds in the trees singing happily, the breeze whispering through the leaves, the stream bubbling quietly along, and could see the 'whole creation of nature awakening. . ">

Soon the "Red, White and Blue" was played, all the schools joining in singlng.it. It made one think of Britain, who is indeed "the pride of the ocean." As the strains of "Hall, Columbia!" burst fortl: In a volume of sound I thought of our cousins in America, who are playing a great part in the war.

Other pieces were played, of: which I liked best an "Old French Melody," and '•Men of Harlech." The former. I liked because In it was mingled the sound of bells. I thought of France's beautiful cathedrals, with their fine chimes of bells. The latter made mc reflect on the deeds of the Welsh at the front. Soon the sound of "God Save the King"' proclaimed the ceremony ,was over.' I -went home delighted with the fine afternoon I had had —J FLEMING, Edendale School (age, 11 y^ars).

Mu^lc —soft, sweet or loud—what could be more 'beautiful? There Iβ the soft, Sweet music that makes a feeling in the air, no matter what time of the year, of spring. Then there is loud music, which stirs the memory of old-time battles, fought with the French, Dutch, and many other, countries. These two themes, although quite different, can be fully expressed by the organ, under the marvellous touch of Mr Maughan Barnett. On the fifth of October an- opportunity to heir the Town Hall organ was offered to the children of Auckland, and a fine programme was given. . .

The first item was "Allegro Vivace," .by Cappocci, meaning brisk and liveiy. It was indeed a very quick and gay tune, and reminded one of dancers at a great ball all dancing and laughing. . Then slowly a hymn is heard Interspersed with the lively tunethe dance stops, and the dancers lioek to the window, where they reverently cross themselves. A band of pilgrims is passlngthelr sad song reaches onr ears, then slowly dies away. Soon the dance restarts, and the tune ends with the end of the dance. ■.-

The second item-was probably the one the children liked best. It was the Spring Song," by Hollins, and reminded mc of gay little lambs frolicking around on the new, green grass. It also' reminded mc of small children gaily tripping o'er the grass, plucking daisies, and thoroughly enjoying their young lives. Near, them stands an old man; he has had many disappointments, and his earthly life Is nearly over, but he, too, enjoys the spring. Suddenly there comes a sun-shower, but it Iβ soon over, and the children leave the barn where they had taken shelter. The old man gazes after "them and hopes all the springs they will see will be as happy, for them as the present one is.

The children now stood and sang. With tile full force of their lunge, the chorus of "The Red, White and- Blue." As-they Bang, my thoughts rau on to future years, when these children were men and woman, good citizens mostly; some, however were not so good, and,, strange to say, they were the ones who left the recital early, and only sang half-heartedly.. Then "I pictureO a war—all the men' who were good citizens were in the trenches. As they charged the enemy they sang the same chorus as they now singing. Later, some return home; the War. Is over, but a heavy toU has been taken by It. Many of those who eang were, in my imagalnatlon f lvine- dead, but they had died with the comfort that It was for their country. A fantasle on American airs wae then played in honorir of America's enuv into the war. As the beautiful etratas of "The Old Folks at Home" rose and fell, I thought of a man til v distaiit country. The world had treated him badly, and now all the man, who is growing olrf and Teeble, wants is to go to the place of his birth and there die peacefully. We have, however", no time to ponder, for the lively tune of "Yankee Doodle" echoes and reechoes from the walls and ceiling. A pleased whisper rune round the assembled children as Mr Barnett plays the tune with "extra emphasis. The hall changes to' on American camp—soldiers are drawn up in lines at roll-call. Wheu this Iβ over they are dismissed and they throng to a big tent where a concert is due to be held. The soldiers strike up the chorus of "Yankee Doodle," and finish with a clash. We wait eagerly for the next song, but it never comes. The scene changes. We are now In the interior of a plantation darkies hut —the old owner is dying, aud outside the darkles are singing the old "Plantation Hymn." Near his. bedside sits his- wife; with a few -words he comforts her. Then he dies, and the t hymn ends with a sad w-ail.g The sceDe Is at the front, Just beyond the firing-line. A company of Americans are marching to the trenches—their band is playing "The Star-Spangled Banner/ and this puts new life Into the men. They go .into the trenches esteeming it as an honour to light for their country The band has stopped; a man is so severely wounded that there is no hope for him. He hums over the tune and says "The [■est song eve..- written." Then, tnralug ov-r.' he dies. With his death the organ stops Mr W. Gemmell, a splendid baritone sang two songs, "Mlfanwy," and "Tom o' Devon," as the fifth Item. These evidently pleased the children, for they clapped heartily, and Mr Gemmell came on once more, singing the chorus of "Tom o , Devon" for an encore The next was probably the saddest item of all. It was an "Oid French Melody," and as the organ's feells rang out in a representation of the carillons, I thought of how the Germans had destroyed all of the carillons .they could get within reach of their, guns. Some of these, bells had been wonderful works of art. After the Germans had come they were nothing but a mass of ruins This sad piece was probably written iv times of strife and hardship.

"Men of Harlech" was then sung by tW children. To quote Byron, it brought bact"the stirring memory of a thousand years " I thought, us they sang, of the Britons fleeing to the west of England, harassed by the Anglo-Saxons, but when they reached "Wales they stood and drove the Saxons back. Then I thought how Wales was helning England In the present war, and how they had given us one of our most capable men—Mr Lloyd George. The children showed their appreciation of this by rtn.. ing "Men of Harlech" as if it was their own national anthem.

A postlude by Wely was now played it was a lively tune, "which died down to a soft, sweet piece near the end. it rer sembled a spring day, the lively piece helm the morning, when birds were chlrptniL and everything was gay. Then the dur went on till sun-down, which was represented by the soft piece. In this part the flowers seemed to be closing,- the birds fly. ' ing back to their nests, and all wag quiet-* "the end of a perfect day."

The patriotic spirit of the children swelled as they sang "God Save the Kin*" Never had the main hall echoed as much v now; well might a king t>e proud of euca a band of loyal, little subjects. If Britain needed men to go away and fight, and women to take their places at hpme, those who stood there were or the right et.imp. : If thesa opportunities were given muck ' more to the children of Auckland they would be more inusle-lovlng and patriotic 1 than they already are.—TOM NELSON Standard V., Normal School.

Of all the arts, music is the most beautiful and the most loved. Good music will give untold pleasure to countless listener*," whether they be cultured musicians, or totally ignorant of the flrst rudiments <jf music. Perhaps of all musical Instrument! the organ has pride of place in the affections of the world. On Friday, April 20 the children of some of the Auckland' schools attended an organ recital by the City Organist in the Town Ball. How the music filled the large hall! It seemed to. peal out of the instrument as if heayen- v sent, Instead of at the hands of the organist. How its tones throbbed end •thrilled—now soft and tender, now ringing and majestic. All the time there wai - something that seemed to enter one's very soul, and to shut-out all other thought*,"We school children should deeply appreciate the privilege of being able to afctend T such a recital. To hear a great organist perform on so grand an instrument, many i connoisseurs of music would willingly pay 8 big- prices of admission. We were privi. leged, too, to hear one.of Auckland's leading professional male vocalists. Indeed, we shonld be proud to think that such artteta would give of their time and talents to the" education and pleasure of school chUflrtn. Such entertainments cannot but have a refining and elevating influence. We stub eagerly look forward to rutnre recitals, and in after years will look back and feel thankfnl for the -pleasure and influence d» rived from them.—EILEEN PILKINGTON' <ased 12 years), Takapuna School.-. . :.' .-