A VISITING MUSICIAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 78, 2 April 1923, Page 6

A VISITING MUSICIAN.

ANDRE SKALSKI IX AUCKLAND. Andre Skalski, pianist-conductor and composer, who for some time led the N.S.W. State Orchestra, after tho departure of Henri Yerbrugghen, arrived in Auckland by the Makura to-day. He is being piloted through New Zealand by Miss Coralie Stanley Maekellar, and will give recitals in the chief centres. Andre Skalski was lrorn in Warsaw, Poland, and received his preliminary musical education at the hands of Russian masters, later continuing his studies in Germany, and Breslau, Silesia. Then he was taken to Leipsig, and became a pupil of Teichmueller. and the worldfamous composer Max Keger instructed him in composition, while the great Stefan Krehl taught him counterpoint. He became the protege of the world's greatest conductor, Arthur Nikisch. Chef d'orchtstrc of the Oewandthrous Orchestra. I.eips-ig, who discovered great talent in the young musician and allowed bint to conduct his famous orchestra at rehearsals. Nikish recommended him to the musical authorities at Sondprscbausen, and he was appointed conductor of the "Lohr" Orchestra and conducted grand opera at the Ducnl Theatre, amongst thp works being "Faust" and "Figaro." The war drove him back to Warsaw, where he played and conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra for six months, and was offered the conductorship of the Orand Opera House. However, the Oerman invasion drove the musician on to Moscow, and he travelled on a musical tour of Russia. Siberia. Korea and Japan. It is said that Skalski's hands arc insured for flo.ooo and that critics acclaim them as the most amazing piano hands in the world. Referring to music in Australia, where he spent some eighteen months, Skalski stated that the State Orchestra, whilst not actually disbanded, was apparently in process of dissolution, owing to lack of financial support. However, he regards Australia as a land of wonderful promise in music. They have "wonder fill voices" there, and very many talented young instrumentalists, but they lack a sufficiency of proper teachinc Musical education is yet in its dawnintr. and pupils nf promise must still go to Europe for tuition. However. Australia is very young, and Skalski hopes to see the day when budding musicians may develop their talent in their own land for there is already born the musical spirit and "atmosphere." which only requires nursing for steady development. An Australian school will surely arise, but it must first find the "motive." which must come from history nnd environment. All the great, composers have taken nature as their motive-