THAT PIANO.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 224, 22 September 1925, Page 7

THAT PIANO.

DISCORDS OVER AGREEMENT. SOME COGENT OPINIONS. LEGAL ACTION ANTICIPATED. "The most extraordinary agreement in the world," was the manner in which a well-known business man referred to the document on which the city firm ot piano importers bases its rights to be the sole supplier of pianos to be played by local artists in the Town Hall. 'That the City Council could make such an inelastic pact with any firm is most amazing," continued the gentleman. "I cannot imagine such a thing being done anywhere else." The opinions were sought of various musicians and other prominent people directly interested in the matter which was ventilated in the "Star" last evening. One and all expressed the greatest surprise that such an agreement was in existence, and others were emphatic that the action of the council in sponsoring the arrangement, was w,rong. "It" the citizens want Mr. Cyril Towsey to play on a certain piano, other than those supplied by the firm in question, surely they are permitted to hear him, in their own hall," was another statement made to a "Star" representative by a member of the Bohemian Orchestra, which is one of the largest organisations of its kind in the Dominion. That statement seems to sum up the position as viewed by the people of this city.

Yesterday afternoon, the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildom granted an interview to representatives of the firms interested in the piano on which Mr. Towsey wished to play on Thursday evening, and members of the Bohemian Orchestra. Also present was the city organist, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. The authorities refused to depart from the agreement, with the result that Beethoven's beautiful concerto, "Allegro con brio" (Op. 37, 'C. minor) will not be heard at the concert.

A statement was made to-day by Mr. L. E. Lambert, chairman of the Bohemian Orchestra. "The Concerto which was to have been part of the programme was written for piano and orchestra," he said, "and, therefore, in the event of the piece having been played, the piano would have been an instrument of the orchestra, and not a solo instrument. If the council challenge it as a solo piano, then they must surely challenge every other instrument in the orchestra. However, we have now been left no alternative but to cancel the item. An offer to pay the customary hiring fee while using our own piano—and other suggestions—-have been refused. We have advertised the reasons why we have had to cancel the Concerto, "and are having circulars printed for distribution among our subscribers. We are also in consultation with our legal adviser as to whether we can take action, and the two firms interested in the barred instrument intend taking the matter into the courts."