THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 83, 8 April 1933, Page 7 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

DIAPASONS AND ECHOES.

FROM FAR AND NEAR. (By ORPHEUS.) The Dunedin Choral Society intends performing Haydn's "Creation" at the end of April. Dr. Macdonald Wilson has been elected president of the Royal Wellington Choral Union. Percy Grainger, the pianist,, will give a series of recitals in Australia during the year.

Tie Dunedin Grand Opera Society, under Mr. Alfred Walmsley, ia at present rehearsing "II Trovatore."

. "A Talc of Old Japan," is being rehearsed by the Chrietchurch Musical Society for presentation in May.

Madam Winnie Eraser, the well-known vocalist, is leaving in May for Australia where she intends spending the winter months.

A definite move has been made in Wellington to form a Junior Choral Society aa an adjunct to the Royal Wellington Choral Union.

The members of the Leys Institute orchestra have now had several rehearsals under their new conductor and are making excellent progress, the young players taking the keenest interest in their work. > -

There is, unfortunately, a possibility that one of our most successful chamber music combinations, the Auckland String Quartet, may have to disband for the time being. Miss Jean Allen, who was the first violin, has returned to England, and now Miss Lois Walls, the second violin, has found that her duties as Violin mistress at two of our principal girls' colleges will not allow her sufficient time for rehearsal, and has therefore reluctantly decided' not to participate in concerted music, for the prosent.

Miss Dora Judson, one of Auckland's most accomplished pianists, will play the first movement of Schumann's Piano Concerto, iti A Minor, with the IYA orchestra under Mr. Harold Baxter, on May 4. Music-lovers may expert to hear an outstanding interpretation of this fine work, for Miss Judson is well known as an excellent exponent of Schumann's compositions. The broadcasting authorities are to be commended for this innovation, and it is to be hoped that other concerti Will ho performed with orchestra at regular intervals and thus cater to a section of the listeners who are weary of hearing hackneyed "popular" items. The members of the orohestra, too, would, no doubt, welcome an occasional opportunity to play something worthwhile. Judging from the class of music played by this combination; it would almost seem that any great composer would be a persona non grata at the station. .

Practices for the newly-formed Dunedin Juniof Orchestra have begun in earnest, and over 60 ybtirig instrumentalists roll up weekly, to learn the art of playing effectively en masse. The orchestra is by no means for beginners, as many of the members, especially some in the first violins, are players of ability and experience, who have already been in school orchestra's. Thejo ate also members who are still at school, who are finding time to play in the ranks. The wood wind and brass sections are nearly complete, players for these less taught instruments having been found in unexpected quantities. Altogether the formation of this orchestra came as a surprise and delight. It provides an excellent opportunity .for children to learn about the different instruments and the science of combining them. It gives them a chance to step up later into, the grown-up orchestras of Dunedin, and it is encouraging to know that excellent Work is .being done at practices. The orchestra will later face the footlights and give a. concert in the Town Hall Concert Chamber.

A meeting, presided over by the. Mavor of Wellington, Mr. T. C. A. Hislop, was held recently to discuss the- suggested establishment of a civic orchestra on the basis of the Melbourne orchestra. This was the outcome of a proposal made, by Mr. H. H. Tombs to bring all the existing; orchestras together—the' Wellington Sytrtphony, the Philharmonic and the Broadcasting Board's orchestra —into;, one body'and under one control! This, with the-employment of guest conductors, would make possible performances of a higher standard than is at present reached. Mr. Tombs suggested that the . different conductors could take the orchestra in six-weekly periods, and proposed, that the combination be managed by a board consisting of two representatives'of the City Council, two representatives of the Broadcasting Board, one each from existing symphony orchestras and throe additional citizens. It was moved: "That this meeting of citizens approves of the general scheme of the unification of orchestral activities in this city." An'amendment: "That there is no need for a civic orchestra: the city is at present adequately catered for by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, and that without any cost to ratepayers," was moved by Mr. K. -Dawson. Continuing, Mr. Dawson said he would like to dissociate himself with any "official" appearance on behalf of the Symphony Orchestra, but it was really very difficult to do so. "I must say that the new proposal has never been considered, as the orchestra has n6t been approached," he .added. "For that reason any opinion I cxpress> is personal, and not'that of the Symphony Orchestra, The first thing we need to know is: Is the Philharmonic Orchestra in existence or 1iot? It has not given a performance since June last. The Wellington Symphony Orchestra has been established since 1029, has given 17 concerts, is thoroughly well organised, has 300 subscribers, and a full symphony personnel, with no vacancy for players. It has also paid out over £10j00 to professional players. The Philharmonic Orchestra came into existence 18 months after the Wellington Symphony; it has not since last June; it*w not incorporated, and on its last performance borrowed 40 players from the .Wellington Symphony- Orchestra. . ."The fantastic scheme Mr. Tcmbe has laid before us is not going to add to the pleasure of mnsi6-loving citizens," Mr. Dawson concluded. "It simply bristles .with impracticabilities." The outcome of thc_ meeting was that a committee was appointed to go fully into the scheme and consult those musp cal organisations which may be concerned, with a view to a report being made to mother meeting of citizens.

Mendelssohn's "Elijah," which is being rehearsed by the Koyal - Wellington Choral Union, is to be performed on May 18. .

The instrumental and vocal recital given by three young local artists last week was of a character one hopes to hear again during the- coming winter months. It was. quite a treat to hear vocalist refrain from inflicting upon his audience hackneyed songs after the "Maire, My Girl" type, and Mr. Arthur Thompson is to be thanked and commended for giving us an opportunity of hearing Schumann's delightful lieder, all too seldom heard nowadays. By the way, it may Interest those who would like a change from 'shop ballads' to know that Mr. Len Barnes is shortly to give a song recital, in which a number of classical songs will be sung. In this he will have the assistance of Mr. Haydn Murray, violinist, and Mr. Eric Waters, pianist.

As a result of a conference between the Australian Broadcasting Commission and delegates from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, an agreement has been reached by which it is hoped to present the finest symphonic orchestra in Australia (says the "Age"). The orchestra will be composed entirely of professional musicians, and will perform in the studios of the Broadcasting Commission, in tho Melbourne Town Hall, and elsewhere.

The chairman of tho Australian Broadcasting Commission, Mr. C. Lloyd Jones, announced that the eervices oi Dr. Malcolm Sargent, the eminent English conductor, would be available to conduct this musical combination. Tho orchestra is to be 70 strong, and will be built up from 30 permanent professional musicians from the Broadcasting Commission's staff, and 40 professional musicians from outside sources.

Sir Hamilton Harty, permanent conductor of the Halle Orchestra in Manchester, will conclude his connection with that orchestra at the end of 'the current season. On his return to London several weeks ago after a visit to the United States, he told tho London "Times" that "owing to tho increase of his musical interests outsido Manchester he would be obliged, at the end of 'the present season, to relinquish the position of permanent conductor of the Manchester Orchestra.

"I feel," he said, "that I cannot carrv on any longer. I have not really got the timo necessary to devote to this work."

Last August Sir Hamilton was appointed artistic adviser and chief conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra. It was stated at tho time that the new appointment would not- interfere with his work in Manchester. The Halle Orchestra was founded in 1857 by Sir Charles Halle. When Halle died in 1895, Sir Frederic Cowen was appointed temporary conductor. From 1890 to 1911 Hans Bichter was the permanent conductor, and then Michael Ballin was in control until the outbreak of the war.

The management of the orchestra has announced that a number of guest conductors will be invited for tho coming season and that a permanent conductor will probably bo named for the season following.