THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 29, 4 February 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

DIAPASONS AND ECHOES.

FROM FAR AND NEAR. (By ORPHEUS.) Madame Tetrazzini emerged from her retirement recently to sing at a charity concert in the Albert Hall. Her numbers were the famous arias, Michaela's song from "Carmen" and "Ah, non eredea," from "La Sonnambula," "and the applause and cries of 'Encore!' which rewarded her must have seemed like an echo of that historic night 25 years ago when she began her brilliant reign at Covent Garden." Writes one critic: "Hers was, as all the world knew, one of the greatest voices of all time; and even now, at sixty-something years of age, her intonation is sure, her trills are free, her'high notes are clean, and her platform manner is that of an empress. But it all belongs to a bygone age, for music has moved on and it is unbelievable that the kind of opera will ever again become popular in which a prima donna reigned like a queen. In the main that is to the good, but the old days produced better singers than the new. Are there any singers of to-day who will be able to put up a show like this twenty, thirty and forty years on? It is more than doubtful."

Sir Edward Elgar, at the age of 75, is completing a new symphony, which will be written for and dedicated to the 8.8.C. It is hoped that the first performance will be given in the autumn of next year. Speaking at the City of London Music Committee's dinner at the Guildhall, Sir Landon Ronald, in announcing the news, said: "The 8.8.C. have delegated to me an announcement that will make this dinner historic. I consider it one of the most interesting events»in musical history since the Royal Philharmonic Society commissioned Beethoven to write a symphony in 1827, which resulted in his immortal Ninth Symphony. If I were asked to name the conspicuous milestones in a century of symphony, I should say that first there was Beethoven, then Brahms, and then Elgar." Sir Edward Elgar has already written two great symphonies. The first, in A flat, was performed under Hans Richter in Manchester in 1908. The second, in E flat, was first heard at a Royal Philharmonic Society concert in London three years later. Both have been performed in London, under Sir Landon Ronald and the composer respectively, during the Elgar festival of the last three weeks. It is several years since Elgar gave a work of major importance in the world, but it has long been rumoured that he has sketches for a third symphony. There is little doubt, in fact, that J he whole work is already alive in his mind, and that the first movement is practically complete on paper.

At the last meeting of the members of the Aeolian Orchestra, held recently, Mr. J. McGregor was elected president. Votes of thanks were passed to Miss Maida Hooker, who has resigned the post of honorary accompanist; Mr. Gerald T. Lee, late honorary conductor;, and Mr. Frank Price, who has resigned after a number of years of keen participation in the work of the organisation. Mr. McGregor, it is interesting to note, is one of the original members, and has been an active member of it since its inception. It was decided to invite applications for the vacant post of hon. conductor. Applications for membership in the orchestra are also being invited.

One of the most common complaints of to-day is that our radio programmes are weak and should be improved. Of course they should—but how? If many of those who so complacently criticise these programmes were to take over —if for only one week —the organiser's work they would soon find out the truth of the old saying, "To understand is to forgive." Here are a few of the difficulties of the position. First they would have to arrange programmes in which they would make the vain endeavour to please, simultaneously, the lady in Bayswater who wants Beethoven, the sentimental miss in Eemuera who wallows in "The Kosary," and the gentleman in Gumtown who appreciates "Sonny Boy"—and do it three or four hundred times a year. And this would have to be done with a very limited amount of talent offering. They would soon find out that if the few really good artists were broadcast frequently complaints immediately would pour in that people were sick of hearing them, and favouritism might be alleged. Then, when others not so good were given an engagement, the programmes would naturally deteriorate and raise a fresh crop of complaints. Frequently one sees the statement made that there are plenty of good singers about who never get a chance. It might be said at once that if they are really good the programme organiser would only be too glad to give them an audition. An audition, however, too often reveals the fact that a vocalist might be a great success in a drawing room full of sympathetic friends, and yet fail before the trying test of the microphone. After attending many concerts during the past year or two, the writer has come to the melancholy conclusion that there is a decided scarcity of good voices at the present time. To give one example, at a concert where there were 16 performers only one of these was good enough for a radio engagement. There is one matter, however, which might be put right. At the present there is too small a margin between the remuneration of the promising student and the accomplished professional. Some of our best professional artists might be induced to devote more of their time to presenting adequate radio performances if the scale of fees was revised to meet circumstances. Many radio presentations are weak for lack of sufficient preliminary rehearsal —a fault, by the way, not altogether peculiar to radio studios.

Szigeti hag just concluded a very successful season in Japan, and at his seventh Tokyo concert was awarded the gold medal for "outstanding merit," an honour which has been conferred previously upon Pavlova, Amundsen, Kreisler and John McCormack. Musiclovers will be pleased to hear that he has decided to make a return visit to Australia in 1934-35.

The dobbett-B.M.S. Miniature Quartet Competition, 1933, is now open to any British subject, wherever resident. The subject must be a miniature string quartet, not exceeding 20 minutes in length, judged to be suitable for performance by youthful players who have passed the elementary stage. The prize is £25. Competitors are advised to submit works of a genial nature, avoiding virtuoso passages. Works must be unpublished and must not have been performed in public. Scores and parts must be sent in to the British Music Society, 295, Regent Street, London, W. 1., not later than June 1, 1933.

The "Modern Denture" in Vulcanite and Silver Lustre is a term originally created by The Dentists Co. as descriptive of a process patented throughout the world. If the Modern Denture had not proved itself as an outstanding success, others interested would naturally avoid the use of the word "modern" in connection with Dentistry. It is significant of the : merit and success of this Denture that the word "modern" which lias been associated exclusively with The Dentist Company's special work for over a year, now appears to be coming a vogUe in dental circles. This fact must be most gratifying, as it shows clearly

The news of the death of Signor Antonio Folli was received with deep regret in the Dominion. Although he waa not in the best of health during his visit here with the Imperial Grand Opera Company, his sudden dfeinise came as a great shock to his many friends. Signor Folli was a very charming and cultured gentleman of many attainments. With extensive musical knowledge, and a fluent linguist, he spoke with ease four or five languages. His death will he a great loss to musical circles in the Commonwealth. His tactful co-operation in the conduct of the recent tour of the grand opera company was responsible to a large extent for the harmonious relations which prevailed amongst the members during its travels. It might be mentioned here that Signor Folli had a deep and sincere liking for our little country, and its people. In association with Mr. Henry Hayward, the deceased entrepreneur had planned to bring here, later, a concert party from Italy. This enterprise will, no doubt, now be abandoned.

that the Modern Denture has created a new standard in dentistry. In order that "Star" readers will not be misled, it would be as 'well to state that the genuine "Silver Lustre" denture has a bright, silver, glistening inside permanent' finish which will withstand wear and,scraping, while the Modern-Denture in Vulcanite is manufactured on a special metalised model. It is therefore advisable that patients should ask to see and test one of these dentures ordering, and also ask to see the model on which it will be constructed, as there is no doubt that spurious imitations are [being foisted on to the general public.