UNDERSTANDING OF MUSIC.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20025, 5 September 1930, Page 11

UNDERSTANDING OF MUSIC.

TRINITY EXAMINER'S COMMENTS. GOOD WORK AND BAD. The need of rhythmic feeling and of an understanding of structure amdhg «tp- . dents of music was emphasised, by Dr. C. Ecl<rar Ford, visiting examiner for • the Trinity College of Music, London, in an interview' with The Pbess yesterday on the conclusion of the examinations in the Christchurch centre. "The fact that I have examined 600 candidates, tho largest entry yet, rather goes-to prove that interest in music is not on tho wane," said Dr. Ford. Undoubtedly there were many good ■ teachers in Christchurch, he added. He had found some very good work, but, at the same time, some Very'indifferent work. The principal defect among the candidates was a lack of rhythmic feeling and a failure to realise that music expressed something very definitely. It might bo impossible to put into words what it expressed; • but that was all the more reason .why it should be thoroughly understood as music. " , _ . «' •' * "The , Vital Spark." "There were, of course, one or two. candidates in whom it was easy.. to - fcect the vital spark of music. cases; while the work was good in cer- „ tain sections, I was unable grSnt* the certificates I should like to. have • done because the candidates failed to prepare themselves adequately in ( .tho remaining sections of the College does insist upon <"■ quirements, and even if I would, I 'ain y unable to go beyond these." •'■ \ Sight-reading was weak, but, tba t greatest weakness of all lay in' the - understanding, of tho structure of ' , music. If it could only be realised ' that each piece of musm was really I ' l -' a piece of architecture in .wjricji the various sections all bore real and de- " finite relationships to .the whole .and - to each- other. , . • "If we can get people to realise. this, wo shall get much more intelligence in exposition," Continued -' Dr. .. Ford. "However perfect teehuical, at- , tainments may be, unless there is Intellectual understanding, and insjcht,_ the interpretation is always bdunu to, r lack conviction."