HIGH PRAISE

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21119, 21 March 1934, Page 10

HIGH PRAISE

♦ (HKISTC'HI'KC'H STI'DEXT IN' MI'SIC K.MiLISH KXAMINKK'S ENTHUSIASM A profound impression has been made on English composers of the highest standing by an exercise sent in by a young Chrislchurch pianist, Mr V. J. Page, who has just completed his Mus. Bac. degree. The e.vercisc, a setting for massed voices, soloists, and orchestra, was sent in

as part of the degree examination, and the examiner, Dr. Percy C. Buck, King Edward Professor of Music at London University, describes it as showing touches of genius, and suggests that the composer should be sent to England to study further. In a letter to the music registrar of the University of New Zealand, where Mr Page has studied under Ui. J. C. Bradshaw, Dr. Buck says:— "May I write to you on a point not officially concerning the examination'.'

"There i> a eandniate 'Wrought' (the examination code word under which Mr Page sent in his composition) who sent in an exercise 'Mil;.ic for the Eve of Palm Sunday.' This composition is one that shows gifts, to my mind, and to the mind of several composers of high standing, to whom I showed it. of a quite unusual order. If the composer is young and not engaged in necessarily earning a living. T believe 't would be really worth his while—l might even say I believe it would be to the credit and possible glory of New Zealand—to come over and study with, say, Vaughan-Williams. Tliere is so great a talent shown—though lacking in the mastery that only comes with time—that I would say definitely there is a touch of genius: and I write this to see if you could start any ball rolling, or even let me know the identity of the composer with a view to approaching him." Mr Page, who is a son of Mr F. .1. Page, of Lyttelton. and a brother of Mr M. h. Page, the New Zealand cricketer and footballer, was educated at the Christchureh Boys' High, School. lie studied the pianoforte under Mr Ernest Empson. and on leaving school continued his musical education at Canterbury College under Dr. Bradshaw. He was at one time a well-known performer for the Aeolian Club, and three years ago gave a recital in Christchureh. About six years ag->. with the Orchestral Society under Mr Angus Guntcr, he performed a pianoforte concerto by Dclius, thrt being the first time the composer'.; work had been heard in New Zealand. Mr Page is at present engaged in further study, and also in teaching.