CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19985, 21 July 1930, Page 14

CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC.

THE DOMINION'S NEED. ENTREPRENEUR'S OPINIONS. TUo need for the establishment of a conservatorium of rouflio organising, mußical authority in New Zealand was stressed by Mr E. J* Gravestock, tho well-known entrepreneur, in an interview with Press yesterday. Not only • would • conservatorium eo-ordinato tho musical life of the Dominion and act as a stimulus to the art, hut it would be the foundation for a national symphony orchestra, always so essential in musical progress. Mr Gravestock was pleased to hear that some steps had been taken toward the opening of a conservatorium in Christchurch, He considered definitely that the Dominion was now large enough, in population and in musical taste and appreciation, to support a conservatorium. success io Australia. He spoke of the Australian centres, particularly of Sydney where tho conservatorium in Verbrugghen's care became a very powerful force mdee . In Melbourne there were two conservatoriums, one at the University under the direction of Bernard Hcmze, and the other under Fritz Hart. Both were thriving, for their leaders were young men of organising ability as well &■ musical accomplishment. &von Adelaide, a cow»ervatorlum naa been established, partly by private endowment. These conservatonums all Became centres of the artistic life of e States in which thoy were found, inoy were « valuable awet to tbo people to the State* . ,■ Beginning at a time when the reaction against the talkies was setting in, the tour of Wilhelm Backhaul ba» been triumphantly successful. He gave eight concerts in Sydney, 10 in Melbourne and three in Adelaide, and *\ to to Brisbane, Perth, and Sydney and Melbourne after his visit to New Zealand. The first eight concerts uj Bya ney were even more ponular than t on his original tour Jowr /ears agO; In the Dominion both he ana Mr Back haus had been delighted with th« audiences at Wellington.and Ancfcj land. Though at one t,m ? £ doubtful of bringing the P* Bl "** J® New Zealand, the tour so far ha* undoubtedly justified it. Timnru Inveroargill are to be visited for the first time, and further concerts maybo given at Auckland. Another Famous Pianist As for the future, Mr unable to announce any definite plans. H® is negotiating for a tour of Australia and New Zealand by anothe famous pianist ne«t year, but there is yet no decision Other concert artists are being considered, though at present be is fully occupied with the tour. Mr Gravestock was doubtful of the possibility of bringing an orchestra under some famous conductor to New Zealand. While he agreed that it would be a fine stimulus to music in New Zealand and might wen be a financial success, he feared that the difficulties and risks were too grave to he faced for some time yet. Australia. ho thought, would offer good support to an American or Continental orchestra, and in the event of » visit to the Comnnwealtn, New Zenland would probably not be overlooked.