THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 66, 19 March 1938, Page 18

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

NOTES OF THE DAY. FROM FAR AND HEAR. (By ORPHEUS.) VOCAL AND PIANO RECITAL. A joint recital is to be given in the Lewis Eady Hall on Wednesday evening, Ajiril 6, l>y Mr. James Leighton, Scottish bass-baritone, and Mr. Owen Jensen, piantet. The programme will be divided into two sections. Tlic first half will consist of selections from the classics, vocal and instrumental. In the second portion Mr. Leigliton will present modern art songs and Mr. Jensen will play, works by modern composers. ELGAR 'CELLO CONCERTO Private advices from Chicago give the interesting information that Edmund Kurtz, the well-known 'cellist, was to play Elgar's Violoncello Concerto with I the Chicago Symphony Orchestra on February 24 and 25. This, it is claimed, was to be the first presentation of the work in U.S.A. Incidentally, it might be remarked here that this orchestra was to present its final programme of the 19117-38 season on April 22, in which case we shall very likely bo seeing this popular musician back on this side of the world some time in May next. AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY. The programme for the Auckland Choral Society's 1938 season has not yet been finally arranged. It is expected, however, that there will be at least two public presentations in the Town Hall, and four broadcasts from tlie IYA studios. One of the public concerts will be the annual "Me«*iah" performance and the other a concert presentation of a popular opera, such as TJalfe's "Bohemian Girl." Should this latter work be chosen there will be very little scope for the chorus, the soloists having the most to do in this opera, while the concerted numbers are realiv beneath the notice of a choral ensemble capable of singing the many fine works written by the great masters for musical combinations such as our choial society.

SCHOOLS' FESTIVAL PROGRAMME. August 10, 1938, is the date chosen for the festival concert given annually by the secondary schools of Auckland. This year the following schools will take part:—Auckland Boys' Grammar. Auckland Girls' Grammar, Diocesan High, Dilwortli, Epeom Girls' Grammar, King's College, Hilltop. St. Cuthbert's, St. Stephen's, Sacred Heart. Takapuna (.'rammarf and Queen Victoria. Tininteresting programme will include "Lonely Woods." "Waltzing Matilda," "And Ever Shall Be," "Come Again. Sweet Love Doth Now Invite." "Shepherd's Dance," "Brother James' Air," "Praise the Lord, Ye Heavens Adore Him." Bach's beautiful air. ".Tesu. Joy of Man's Desiring." and finally "Let All the World," the number which made such an impressive ending to last year'cmemorable concert. AUCKLAND DORIAN CHOIR. For its first concert of the season, which probably will be given some time in June, the Dorian Choir will present two works. Hoist's "Hyain of Jesus" and Borodin's "Polovtsi Dance (Xo. 17)".' The first of tlieee was personally recojn-1 mended to the choir's conductor, Mr.<j Albert Bryant, by Dr. Malcolm Sargemt. j when that distinguished musician was in Auckland some eighteen months ago. i It is a very difficult but beautiful work, and its first performance in Auckland will be awaited by music-lovers with considerable Interest. The second number i* from Borodin's famous opera, "Prince Igor." In choosing fre«h and unfamiliar works of this class for performance at its concerts the Dorian C'hir is setting an example of enterprise and good musical taste which, it is to bp hoped, will, in time, be emulated by other musical societies in this citv. THE ORATORIOS. "Few people ever pause to think why a. Handel oratorio is always performed by a choir without costume or scenery. The story is an interesting one." writes Norman Flower, in an article upon Handel in "From Anne to Victoria." "During his residence at Cannons near Edgeware, as Kapellmeister to the Duke of Chandos (1/18). Handel composed the music to Pope's libretto 'Haman.' At the beginning of 17.12 lie resolved.to produce the work at a London theatre, employing the choristers of the Chapel Royal therein, with full costuiiie and scenery. The idea scandalised the Church. That, a religious story should be given on the stage was the iieiirht of sacrilege! So declared Dr. Gibson. Bishop of London. However, he made it known that. a.s he was Dean of the Chapel Royal, the choristers should not be employed. Furthermore, he forbade the jierformance with scenery and costume at all within the diocese. Handel was fired to temper. He persuaded a librettist, Samuel Humphreys, too add to the libretto until it became a full length work for which he composed new numbers and renamed it "Esther." Because the Bishop had forbidden him to put on a religious story with costume and scenery, Handel had the work sung by singers in ordinary dress. Ow ing to this bigoted Bishop, Handel's oratorios have been performed in this manner ever since."

SCHUMANN VIOLIN CONCERTO, j On Sunday afternoon, January 0. Yeliudi Menuhin was to play for the first tinie in Chicago Schumann's lately rediscovered Violin Concerto. Commenting upon this, a writer in the "Chicago Sunday Tribune," tells how in 18r>(5 Joachim wrote to Clara Schumann, the composer's wife, "I am now ready to | plav it for you. I understand it better now than at the time I played it for you in Hanover— so unworthily, to ray great sorrow." Yet. despite these protestations of approval. Joachim never played the concerto in public. He retained the manuscript in his possession until his death in 1907. and left in his will the stipulation that the work should not be performed until a century after Schumann's death—lhis would have been in lftiifi. He continues: "Whatever the reason for Joachim's obstinate refusal to make the concerto public property, the demand of his will was obeyed without question until last summer. At that time Yehudi Menuhin and his intelligent, forceful father, Moshe Menuliiif. seeking a. novelty to help dramatise Yehudi's re-entry upon the Aniprican scene after two years' retirement, undertook to have the will broken. They were successful, and Yehudi announced that he would gix'e the world premiere of the concerto in St. Louis last autumn. "When the Xa/.i Government heard of this immediately they ruled that other violinists could not" play the concerto until after it had been introduced in German by the violinist, Kulenkampf. This performance w*s duly given.

AN INSPIRATION. Ono summer (li;v in 1526 Mendelssohn lay on the triads in the Schonliauser gardens in lSeriin. engaged in a desultory conversation with a friend, his mind turning from time to time to the new composition upon which lie was engaged. Presently. much to the annoyance of his companion, a llv began buzzing buzily about their heads. "Wait," cried Mendelssohn, when his friend started to drive the insect away, "let me listen." Later, when the composer had finished the overture to his matchless "Midsummer Night's Dream" music, he pointed to the inodtilations of the cellos from B minor in F sharp minor in the middle section, and exclaimed, "There, that's the Schonliauser fly." PROFESSIONAL ENTERTAINERS. Considerable sympathy should be felt for the professional musicians and others in their efforts to form a society to protect themselves from being exploited. People who would never dream of asking, say. their doctor or dentist to s give their professional services free seem to have no compunction in asking a musician, who also has a living to make, to perform for nothing, in fact, less than nothing, for the artist is frequently out of pocket when the cost of transportation, music, new strings for violins, and, more especially where lady performers are concerned, dress, is taken into consideration. The principle involved may be pointedly expressed by a recent experience of a well-known entertainer in this city. He was invited to attend a "smoke" concert with the idea, of course, that he should give several of his much appreciated humorous turns. When he asked whether there would be any fee forthcoming the leply was in the negative—but, there would be beer, smokes, and, extra inducement, pork pies! The entertainer was left cold. It appeared that he did not drink or smoke, nor relish the succulent pork pie! "By the way," he asked, "are your refreshments given to vou, or have you to pay for them?" "Of course we | pay for them," was the reply. "Then," | came the logical answer, "whv not pa'v Imo for my professional contributions j towards the enjoyment of your evening?"