THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 217, 12 September 1936, Page 9 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

NOTES OF THE DAY. FROM FAR AND NEAR. (By ORPHEUS.) The August issue of "Music in New Zealand" contains an excellent editorial upon "Accompanists," a "Tribute to Grainger," also by the editor, L. D. Austin contributes an article, "The Music of Franz Liszt," and Arthur E. Fieldhouse continues his article on "Flaying from Memory.* So far as music in the Dominion is concerned, this is confined to a page of comments 011 concerts given in Wellington. The June issue of the American musical journal, "The Etude," refers to the Royal Cliristchurch Society having celebrated its 75th anniversary last December and remarks: "It is reputed to be the oldest musical body south of the line." This reputation is not justified. The Nelson Harmonic Society is about the same age (1800), while the Auckland Choral Society has been in existence at least four years longer (1556). Advice received from England in a private letter indicates that the Auckland singer Oscar Natzke who is now studying at the Royal College, is making satisfactory progress;- The writer, who heard him before lie left New Zealand, remarks that he has wonderfully improved in every way, his voice is more mellow and the finer touches that only capable instruction can impart are becoming evident. His teacher, Mr. Garcia, who has an international reputation, considers that given time he will be better even than Chaliapin. This indeed' would be an achievement.-

Several students of singing from New Zealand are doing well in New South Wales at the present time. Among these is Miss Sybil Phillipps, who won the soprano vocal championship against a field of 30 contestants, the test pieces in this being "Love Triumphant," byBrahms, and Rimsky-Korsakov's difficult "Hymn to the Sun." Miss Phillipps also won the ballad competition, singing Besley's "Love, the Fiddler." Miss Jean Macfarlane, another Auckland girl, is promising to develop into a fine singer of contralto ballads. Miss Ruth Scott, also of Auckland, has been specially engaged to sing the part of Santuzza in a scene from "Cavalleria Rusticana," to be presented at the Music Week festival which will be held at the end of this month, in conjunction with the concerts to be .conducted by Dr. Malcolm Sargent. . Miss Scott has also been engaged to take the lead in the Tamworth Musical Society's production of "Floradora."

The writer had the pleasure of hearing in person "Elijah" given by the Royal Wellington Choral Union under Dr. Malcolm Sargent last month. It certainly was a splendid performance and reminded one listener of that faroff time when the Auckland Choral Society gave this work with Watkin Mills and his company as soloists, a performance which the famous baritone afterwards declared to be the finest he had heard anywhere in Australia or New Zealand. Without doubt, Dr. Sargent is a most magnetic conductor, and had his forces under complete control throughout, bringing out the dramatic continuity of the work, while his architectural development of the oratorio must have been a revelation to local conductors. One particularly gratifying feature of the concert was that applause was not allowed until the completion of each section of the performance.

In view of the unfavourable criticism that has been directed towards the somewhat disappointing performance ot some of the artists brought from overseas by our broadcasting authorities, it is interesting to note that it is the opinion of Professor J. Shelley, the newly-appointed director of broadcasting, that, were our own New Zealand singers and players to receive more encouragement their standards might in consequence be raised to a satisfying degree. There are many who, agreeing with this opinion, also consider that a marked improvement in this respect might be brought about by the establishment of a conservatorium of music in our midst. Among these is Mr. Roland Foster, of Sydney, whom Mr. J. F. Montague, the well-known teacher of elocution, met recently while adjudicating at the City of Sydney Eisteddfod. Mr. Foster, who, Mr. Montague says, retains very pleasant memories 'of his last visit to the Dominion, is still interested in the idea of establishing a conservatorium in New Zealand, preferably in Auckland, and considers that it would do much to bring to light and develop the latent talent which he is convinced, from personal experience, undoubtedly exists in this country. Similar institutions, he points out, have done a great j deal in Australia and elsewhere to improve and elevate standards of performance amongst singers and instru-

mentalists, and a New Zealand Conservatorium of Music would in, his opinion certainly accomplish a like result here. ■