THE TOWN HALL ORGAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 244, 15 October 1935, Page 6

THE TOWN HALL ORGAN.

I have beefi reading with interest the letters which have appeared in the "Star" since the publication of my letter a few weeks ago. I see some of your correspondents arc not in favour of a permanent city organist; to my mind, it is essential that one man should be at the helm. Three men cannot be as successful as one for the simple reason that differences of opinion, on various matters to do with the organ and the giving of recitals, may easily arise. It must be admitted, however, that the City Council has not yet given them a chance to prove their worth. One of your correspondents quotes the case of the Birmingham organ- recitals Jit which he says there have been large audiences built up. * From this it may be thought that Birmingham is an isolated example; such is not the case. If the "Musical Times" or the "Musical Opinion" are read it will be seen that a great musical revival is taking place in England and organ recitals seem to be attracting increased audiences. Another correspondent states that if programmes of "music, mirth and melody" were |'"')vided good audiences would be a forgone conclusion. .1 do not see how such a programme could be provided by the organ, for must be remembered that the instrument m the 'J own Hall is not of the cinema variety and is not intended for such music as "music, mirth and melody" programmes must necessarily contain. In organ recitals transcriptions of music for other instruments should not predominate; about CG 2-3 per cent of the programme should consist of true organ music and the other 33 1-3 per cent may be of transcriptions from orchestral or other music. If the new City Council does not intend to give us any organ recitals they might at least let the organ be heard at other concerts, such as the band gives on Sunday evenings. Another excellent use to which the organ can be put is in conjunction with the piano, the rendering of pianoforte concertos. G.-R.E.