MR A. BUNZ RETURNS.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 15460, 13 December 1915, Page 4

MR A. BUNZ RETURNS.

'AX INTERVIEW. 'By ".Strad.") A\ e ad sympathised with Mr Alfred Bun*, when in consequence of the alleged break-down of his health he left in the eaily months of IPI-I for the Old C'ouiury. Kvidontly h's case had be( n wrongly diagnosed. What he really suffered from was, it appears, an i.isatiable, an appalling thirst, not to be appeaMvi out here —a thirst for oceans af music. Back in Christchurch again since Saturday, he is I'u ' of music. What lie did not do, besides studying, in the way of listening to every possible orchestral, operatic, rnd solo performance of note, m addition to conducting once tin- l/ondon Sruiphony Orchestra himself, M-enis not to be worth mentioning. He handles with loving care a suit-case containing his loot. <>r 1 -.hould say, his trophies in the -hape o! countless programmes, from the silk-bound copy ot Uovaity down to plain print.

I In opera he tin- fir>t- pro- | duction at Covcnt (Jarden oi Zadonm's "I'Vanreska Da llimini." with .Madame Klvina. the siT'-at Canadian soiigctres>, and I'o-ina Bucknian : then Aida. Puccini's "'.Lir 'IVx-a," Itussian inusk(irania and fairy tale, among which he places high Al ''Bori* CJodulxnv"' and H imski-K.orssakow\s ''Gulden Cock" (the spelling is I'iemann'si, "Carmen," "'Hip Magic Flute," "iladaine Hutterfly." and "La Boheiinv' "Kail.*?:," "I'oineo and Juliet.'' and the '"Legende ilo Joseph.'' l»y Strauss, employing singers like Carnvu, Ran Frant>, -Madame Karsavina, Michel .Jokinc, also hearing Carrie .lubb. Robert ISjadford. Clara Butt, and host* of othersi lunioiw on stage or in concert. He succumbed to the lure of the lliissiaii Ballets, illustrated l>v entrancing music. Chopin's find Schumann's in particular. given with wonderful ]h> infection, and admired likewise Havel's ballet. He threw himseli into orchestral in.isic al'-orhing all that could be snapped up of great symphonies and symphonic poems, Beethoven, Tschaillrahnis, Arensky, Fiorocliu. Cesar I'raiick, Debussy, piayed bv or- < hcstrji Milder great conductors such as Thonial Beechnni, AYassili Safauoff, Sir Henry A\ ood. Henri Verbruggen, now the liead ol the new Sydney Conservatory. and Giorgio Polacco. at the opera. Symphonic Russian music seemed 1o liiiu to need the background of Russian soil for full comnrcheusiou. All jic enjoyed whole-heartedly. lie speaks in glowing terms ol the cxtraordinarv influence exerted upon English music life bv one man. Thomas Heechani, alike at the conductor's desk, as the discoverer of gieat. jiew talent,' and as ■hang-the-oxpense champion or — fine music from every where. In iJlr Biin/.'s estimate, the London Svmohonv Or- I chestra, originally fathered" l>y "Hans Riehter, is the acme of perfection, comprising artists all, from ton to too. Among pianists ho exalts Pachmanii. playing more charmingly than ever: Benno Moisewirch. .Murdoch. a nd the wonder-boy .Salomon, whilst lie is fuil of admiration for Albert Summons, tlie English celebrity on the violin. ' The love for. and consequent patronage of the .Londoner of. the liuest music obtainable, irrespective of origin, struck bint forcibly. Attempts at purely English opera or concerts in which local composers preponderate, havo failed.

'J he war has adwrselv affected.music at Home very much in the same way .is with lis. Patriotic concerts orevail. Madam* Clara Uutt realised £'5000 in one night. Great choral "performances as of "Tho Messiah" and tho host Symphony concerts draw still gjood support, but on the whole the attendances at most concerts Jiav<> grown scanty. Kven the popular promenade concerts are apparently doomed lor the moment. Living German composers are banished from the programmes of to-dav, but t-ho departed masters, Richard AVagm r included, retain their place aud popularity. The London IMusie Club, formerly wont to feast foreign musicians, is now entertaining Britishers from ail parts.