MUSIC IN LONDON.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13906, 3 December 1910, Page 2

MUSIC IN LONDON.

4 A CHAT WITH MR R. A. HORNE. Among the most interesting of the experiences of Mr H. A. Home during his recent visit to Europe'were the opportunities afforded'of hearing the best music in London. Mr Home is very enthusiastic as to the playing of the Queen's Hall Orchestra, under Mr H. J. Wood. "Though comprising over eighty performers," said Mr Home, ''the command over the vast body of tone is marvellous. They get it where required down to a whisper. Then their elaboration of effects is so wonderful. In one of the Wagnerian works played by them, the effect of a violin heard afar in the forest had to be produced. To do this tlie solo violinist went up into the gallery at the tar end, and the notes floated out, as it were, from a great distance." The music halls, particularly the higher class, were quite a revelation to Mr Home. "Wβ have an idea out here," ho said, "that a music hall performance means what is known as variety ov vaudeville. But this is not so with the great music-halls of Jjondon. Some of the finest artists, vocal and instrumental, are to be heard there. At nne I hoard the Russian Court Orchestra, who played on instruments like mandolins. The vocal numbers are more finely-acted sketches than mere singing, and are given with, elaborate stage accessories. I heard Harry Lander, and know now why .he is so popular. It is inimitable acting, coupled with a really good voice. He is a splendid actor, and that accounts in a great measure for his enormous popularity. All the musical people I saw were emphatic that/ despite- the meteoric-hke success of Tettrazini, Melba reigns «n< dieputedly as the Queen of Song. Ot this there is no doubt lit all. I was present at a band contest at the Crystal Palace, which was one of the most astonishing I ever heard. I never saw such aii enormous' number of bandsmen collected together, and fhe remarkable part of the thing was that there were three or four different portions of the contest going on at the same time, which will give an idea of the /size of the building. Mr Owen, who was the conductor out here of the Besses o' the Barn Band, was conductor of two or three of the hands. Now, with regard to the Ellwoods. The musiI cal people of London were quite astonished at th<*ir work, notably that of Harry on the 'crllo. I got them an engagement to play at the country house of one of the partners in Chappell's. There was quite a number of the most distinguished musical people present on the occasion, and they were delighted. Mr lies, who conducted Madame Clara Butt's tour, and who has a great concert agency business in i London, heard them, and was very warm in his praise of their playing. From the opinions 1 heard expressed by high musical authorities, theve is no doubt in my mind that there is a great future before the two boys, particularly (Jeorgej the \;el.'ist."