EASTERN ART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 173, 24 July 1934, Page 9

EASTERN ART.

MUSIC AND PAINTING. Members of the Auckland Piano Students' Association last night heard an illustrated lecture given by Miss G. Bertram, assisted by Miss Ida. Walker and Mr. Kurosawa on "Music and Art in the Orient." The first part of the talk dealt with Chinese poetry, art, literature and music from the earliest ages. The speaker quoted translations of Chinese verse, and Miss Ida Walker contributed two songs, attributed to -Confucius — "Down the Course of Years" and "The Lady of the Lagoon." 2n striking contrast it was shown that the music of Japan has made startling progress. The Emperor Meitji introduced Western music into the schools 60 years ago, and Japanese composers bold a definite place in the world of modern music, besides reproducing their ancient folk music. Mr. Kurosawa played a Chopin Nocturne, followed by Japanese, folk music—a happy illustration of the difference between the music of East and W.eat. As to Japanese art the lecturer specially stressed the symbolic beauty of their mural decorations. Miss Bertram took her audience through' a- fairy world of beauty by • means of specially painted scenes screened by a powerful lantern. Bridges, lacquered temples, rivers and inland seas and of sacred Ftijinm'a were shown through summer suns and winter snows. Records of Japanese music and pictures of dramatic art and Japanese daily life followed, and an enthusiastic vote of thanks was accorded the lecturer and her assisting artiste. ■ - ' i