SIBELIUS

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 138, 14 June 1938, Page 9

SIBELIUS

SOCIETY .OF MUSICIANS. TALK BY DR. S. K. PHILLIPS. A talk by' Dr. S. K. Phillips was the most important feature of the monthly gathering held by the Auckland Society of Musicians in the Overseas Clubrooms last evening. The speaker divided his remarks into two sections. The first dealt mostly with an interview he had last September with the famous Finnish composer Sibelius, who shares witli Strauss the distinction of being or.e of the two greatest of living composers. The speaker said Sibelius was now somewhat of a reclusc, -who very seldom came into contact with the outside world. He was one of the most charming and genial of host*?, speaking several languages, English included. lie had composed over 100 songs and he might possibly write yet some more. Sibelius was quite pleased to learn from Dr. Phillips that his com- [ positions, piano and vocal, were studied 1 and performed in this far-off country. The second part of Dr. Phillips' talk described some of his musical experiences on a tour which covered most of the great musical centres of the Continent. He gave graphic descriptions o: a number of the Old World citics and their opera houses, conservatoria, etc. Mention was also made of a number of the orchestras, singers and instrumentalists he had heard, with some candid and illuminating comments upon their performances.

A 6 a member of the registration board the doctor was naturally keen to investigate the conditions under which musical activities were governed in the countries' visited by him. These varied from absolute Government control in countries such as Germany and Italy, to optional registration (as in this Dominion) in Denmark, Holland and Scandinavia.

Musical items by Finnish composer: added interest to Dr. Phillips' interesting talk. Mrs. Raudon played two piano forte numbers, "Barcarolle" (PalmcrenJ and "Minuet" (Kjeruif). Reeky Pelham played "Valse Trist<s" and "Caprice" (botb by Sibelius). Several somrs by" Sibelius, Rocke, etc.. were given by the Misr-ee Verner Wisliart. Girleen Clark and Amy Hansard. At the call of the society'? president. Mr. E. Varley Hudson, a hearty vote of thanks was given to Dr. Phillips for hi 9 exceptionally interesting talk, and also to the assisting performers, after which the evening concluded with' the usual supper