MUSIC AND DRAMA

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21281, 28 September 1934, Page 5

MUSIC AND DRAMA

October 11—Pianoforte recital by 1 Madame Christina Rawlings, assisted by Mr Fred. Page, at Begg's concert hall. October —Philip Hargrave, Australian boy pianist. October 27 to November 13—"The Dubarry" and "Waltzes from Vienna," at Theatre Royal. November—Christchurch Orchestral Society concert. November 17—Laurian Club Concert. December 25 to 31—Grenadier Guards' Band. Coming—"White Horse Inn," "Ten Minute Alibi," Russian Ballet Company. Messrs J. C. Williamson have definitely bought Dr. Merton Hodge's play, "The Wind and the Rain," for production in Australia and New Zealand. It is understood that they want largely to cast it in Sydney, as the expense of taking out an English company in these days is a very serious tax on the firm. Dr. Hodge, hopes to spare the time to go out and see that when "The Wind and the Rain" reaches New Zealand it will be as near a replica of the St. Martin's production as it is possible to obtain. At present it plays to full houses in London. It has been running without a break since last September, and has been performed more than 300 times. ♦ % # "Grief Goes Over," Dr. Hodge's other play, is • to be produced in October, directed by Miss Auriel Lee, and under the management of Messrs Howard and Wyndham. It will be after the appearance of this that the author hopes to travel to New Zealand. It is not desired that "Grief Goes Over" shall be put on while the popular and entertaining comedy still fills St. Martin's. • * * An eight-year-old violinist is about to undertake a concert tour of the principal centres of New Zealand. The boy is Oma Halbert, who was born in Sydney, the son of musical parents, but who lias lived for some years in New Zealand. At the age of seven years he

had mastered the intracacies of Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumble Bee," and his repertoire now includes the solo part of Mendelssohn'! famous "Violin Concerto in E Minor." The boy plays left-handed, a trait which is most unusual among violinists. The first concerts of the tour will be at Duncdin on September 25 ar.d 27.

In a recent lecture Mr Hubert J. Foss. musical editor of the Oxford University Press, said that many persons who were excellent instrumentalists were incapable of accompanying songs. "I know a famous pianist," he said, "who is also a well-known composer, and I heard him accompany one of his own violin compositions. He was so much interested in his piano playing that the audience hardly heard the fiddler throughout the recital. I know another famous pianist who once accompanied a singer and finished four bars too soon. You can be the best pianist in the world and the worst accompanist. With modern songs self-accompaniment is not a great success. The explanation is that modern composers write songs demanding a degree of athletics by the accompanist which leaves him no breath for singing. The really good accompanist gets little credit, because the better accompanist he is the more credit goes to the singer. The accompanist must realise that most singers do not sing accurately. They often [ sing the wrong note snd sometimes even the wrong rhythm, but the accompanist must always be ready to cover up the mistake."

Good progress is reported in arrangt*ments for the championship band contest to be held in February at Timaru. The secretary of the contest general committee, Mr C. G. Baker, stated tfiat the grounds committee had recommended Fraser Park for the quickstep competition, but he had advised holding over consideration of tha ground until early in October, when Messrs Palliser and Osborne, president and secretary respectively of the New Zealand Brass Bands' Association, would be in Timaru, and the committee would have the benefit of their experience in making a selection. There were still halls to be arranged for. The important questions of transport and accommodation were under consideration, and the provision of contest medals was being dealt vim, 42 being required. It is proposed to run an art union in connexion with the quickstep, the holder of a ticket being admitted to the grounds. Th® hope is expressed that 25 bands will be competing. Margaret Sullavan. who has been vacationing in England and New York since the completion of "Little Man. What Now?" returned to University City by aeroplane to begin work in "Within This Present.based on the novel by Margaret Ayer Barnes. Fox reports it is preparing to fiira the Rian James story, "The White Parade." which deal? with nurses *n training. The leading male role his j gone to John Boles, who now is comI pleting scenes with Gloria Swanson ia "Music in the Air."

Eternal youth of health oy Eterual you t h without a!>oy. Eternal youth untaxed and frc\ V.'iUiin tho lav,- o\r bud ar.l sen Eternal youth devoid u{ tain'. Eternal youth without restraint. Eternal youth with proujft a:.l sur» When colds need Woods'" Ore:;! Pe Cure. ' '