MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 14162, 30 September 1911, Page 7

MUSIC AND MUSICIANS.

: . —«—. (By "Stead.") Who is the greater, the greatest pianist, Madame Carreno or Leonard . BorwickP That question has sorely perturbed the Christcburch' musical ', mind during the last fortnight. Wo cannot yet, it appears, enter-the con-cert-room for the purpose of enjoying the music provided-by a fine artist; we think we are entitled to look forward J to something sensational, to acrobatic feats-that make one gasp. And when wo get them, we wonder whether we have-not compromised ourselves by betraying our approbation too soon. Is music benefited, I ask, if one man scores a thousand notes a minute to his rival's nine hundred and fifty; or : if another can boast of the physical strength of an ox? Apart from these | considerations of technical prowess and supremacy, how could we compare the art of CarrenQ, masterful, passionate, , eruptive and lion-hearted, with the refinement and devotion, the unselfish surrender and restraint of Borwkk's* music? Both are great artists in their own spheres, both masters of their instrument. Wo could not desire them to be moulded after the same pattern, for uniformity of artistic expression

spells stagnation and worse, decadence. Can wo not let it rest v.t that? A corespondent "F.A." in Monday's "Press," has given wort to -wellfounded complaints with respect to tho noisy interruptions during performances so frequently caused by lato arrivals, and easily avoidable under good management. l*et mc add a lament of my own about the man who beats indifferent time -with his feet on the back of your seat, and the charming lady in front who confides to her neighbour precious secrets with musical accompaniment. An exa&peraied fellowsufferer from tho same causes bursts into verse as follows: — " To Mendelssohn's : Scotch Symphony* I've heard of Johnny's scarlet lever, Bizet's 'Arlcsit-nne Suites'-I. link with Kate's soro throat that womun't leave her. , Often Wagnerian strains have- roused dispute o'er seal and beaver As dearly bought from Messrs Eobinsoji and Cleaver." It is an old complaint, and the sensitive performer suffers torture from such thoughtless acts. The courtly Liszt paused once in the middle of a performance exclaiming sweetly " Pardon mc, ladies, for interrupting your conversation," after which sally you could hear a pin drop. But the eminent Beethoven interpreter Bulow, excitable and rude always, fared badly with an epithet something like pigs, hurled under similar provocation at somo offenders, for they happened to be great ladies, and tho atmosphere of Munich proved too hot for him daring the remainder of, hie life. In charming contrast stands tho solicitude shown by Queen Victoria when Mendelssohn was expected to play to her. Anxious that nothing should disturb his music, she was found busy removing the parrots from the room when he arrived; for fear, no doubt, of forceful comments by tho jealous feathered critics. But even then our trials on musical evenings are not over. Her© in New Zealand a misplaced benevolence on tho part of often only a few friends, is good-naturedly tolerated and even holped by the audiences, resulting in endless encores as mediocre as lengthy. On the Continent the task is literally placed in the hands of '■■a professi<uial "claquo," a distinct class of "leather' , merchants, employed by the wily impresarios to stimulate tho waning appreciation of the listeners. Only, at times, when tho mercenary applause clashes too shamelessly with stubborn facts, peremptory hisses drown speedily tho efforts of these malefactors. Englishmen orten commit tho error of assuming that, these demonstrations are primarily directed against the performers. Now, however, a Viennese inventor comes to tho front with an appliance providing applause by machinery, simple of construction, and, it is claimed, supremely effective. What a progressive age we live in! Would it not be wise to order a few for Now Zealand; they would serve admirably for political meetings, and oven Ministerial orations in and out of Parliament. In Italy the operations of the claquo have' to -be conducted with infinate* skill. The Italian cherishes and knows by heart all his favourite operas; the very street boys aro brimful of operatic airs. The concert-room has never attained there the significance it has in our music life. There music abounds everywhere, much in the open, air, but the opera house is almost as indispensable as the home. Italian society regards it much as we do our drawingrooms; they chat and laugh, and pay calls and make love with scanty regard for the stage, as long as the performance moves in tho ordinary grooves. The regular operatic patrons discover quickly superior talent. and art, but they also are ' always ready, and not very squeamish in their methods, to express contempt for mediocro singing and acting, or new productions that leave them cold. An injudicious claque encountering their fury had best not stand on ceremony, in the order of their retreat. Yet their enthusiasm and.applause at times becomes delirious to the point of insanity. But then even in 'sedate" Germany a retiring great Wagnbr singer lately had to appear fifty times before the footlights ot the Dresden Opera House. Among my numerous schemes for the advancement of musical art in New Zealand stands foremost the creation of a national orchestra. The prospects towards the realisation of the idea cannot be-truthfully described as" brilliant so far; But often-a. very little helps. According to Homo reports, the fine military band of the Ist Somersetshire Light Infantry Regiment, and a vocalist in addition, were caHed upon, under the new regulations issued by the Home Secretary, to discourse sweet music at Portland Prison. "Mnsic." you know, "hath charms to soothe the savage breast." A fine programme was given in. the presence of bk of seven hundred convicts; ■ ending with the performance of the National Anthem, in the singing of which every convict lustily joined. This display of loyalty on the part of these gentlemen, or should I say ladies and gentlemen, the guests of his Majesty, must have been extremely touching and impressive. But for mc the point lies in this, that Sir John Fmdlay can hardly allow himself to be beaten by his confrere at Home in the j matter of prison reform, especially j when it comprises such a sweeping and pregnant innovation. In place of a mere military band, let him employ a national orchestra of tho first rank, travelling the year round from one end of the Dominion to the other, and permit us, who have done nothing, to partake of - their music in their'leisure hours after they have administered the regulation dose of classical music to the inmates of the institutions placed bo providentially under Sir John's fatherly care. Where would they be then in the Old Country?