IN NEW YORK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 17, 20 January 1940, Page 7

IN NEW YORK.

FEAST OF MUSIC,

EFFECT OF THE WAR,

SYDNEY OFFICIALS 1/tfCK.

One effect of the war lias been to make New York the hub of the musical universe. This was the impression left by the remarks of Mr. William G. James, controller of music for the Australian Broadcasting Commission, in chatting aboard the Monterey oil his experiences while abroad to make investigations into musical matters on behalf of the commission. He explained that lie had planned months ago to visit America, Britain and the Continent on his mission. After some -weeks in America he went on to London, but 12 days after his arrival there war broke out and ended any Jiope of Continental travel. Ten weeks later he returned to America, to find that many of the great musical artists whom he had expected to have to pursue to the Continent had congregated in the American capital as the only place where they could carry on their profession normally. The recent concert season in New York was the largest for many years, due directly to the war causing artists to go there. "From my point of view it was an unexpected turn of luck," remarked Mr. James. "I attended just on CO concerts in 12 weeks, besides 12 opera performances. Sometimes I saw three concerts a day. Great Maestros. "The greatest thrill I had was hearing Toscnniui conduct nine Beethoven svmphoires for the M.B.'C. orchestra. I al*o had the opportunity of having long talks with him and attending his rehearsals. He is an amazing man. just «n 70 years of age, with the enthusiasm of a young man of 2.3, and head and shoulders above anyone else so far as the orchestral side of music is concerned." This led on to further mention ofj orchestral treats—Stokowsky in one ofj

•his recordings in Carnegie Hall when he tried the "stunt" of reversing the positions of the wood-wind and the string instruments in the orchestra to get quite a new tone; Ivoussevitsky andj the Boston orchestra, one of the best in existence; Rachmaninoff taking an] orchestra through a whole series of his own compositions and at the same time playing the piano. New Musical Stars. Some individual artists had recently come over the horizon of fame in New York, added Mr. James. There was Marion Anderson, a coloured singer, and really a great artist. She was a cultured singer of surprising type, who sang in several languages. Rather of the mezzo style of soprano, she had a great range and a beautiful round tone. Then there was another coloured soprano singer— Dorothy Maynard, a half-Indian, who made a most astounding debut. She was "something right out of the box," a lyrical soprano, and after her performance the New Yorkers stood up and cheered, whistled and called for more; she certainly was an instantaenous success. Several other rising artists had interested Mr. James in his business of noting talent that entrepreneurs in the broadcasting business might like to know about. There was a piano duo, Vronsku and Babin, husband and wife, whose ensembles performances on the piano were electrifying. And he saw and heard, too, Milstein, a, young violinist who was an outstanding performer. Australian Girl in London. Many Aucklanders, who were captivated by the charming personality of a young woman who had a small part in the Williamson Opera Company that came here" six or seven years ago, and who made personal friends ly her talent and sportmanship 011 local golf courses, will be delighted to hear that Joan Hammond is by way of becoming a prima ; donna. A young Australian artist who is doing very well in England," said Mr. James, "is Joan Hammond, a soprano. If, the war does not last too long she may have a chance of getting to the top. She was engaged to sing in the Vienna Opera House just prior to the war, when hostilities caused a cancellation, and is certainly making a big name for herself, ■having 'developed a voice that is quite 1 [excellent."