INFORMATION ON MUSIC

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25270, 23 August 1947, Page 2

INFORMATION ON MUSIC

BUREAU SUGGESTED STANDING OF VISITING ARTISTS The establishment of a bureau in Christchurch to educate the Jpublic about leading artists in the musical and dramatic world was suggested last evening by Mr Frederic McCallum, who is visiting the city to make arrangements for the concerts next month of the pianist Simon Barere.

Mr McCallum said he had met a number of leaders of the musical commumty and they had expressed concern that the concerts of Some great artists who had visited Christchurch this, season, had been poorly supported. If some means could be found to give an appreciation of true standing, the public would be directed to the test in music and drama and protected from the “pirates” who hoodwinked the public and made people dial lustful. Some inferior artists are hailed in such glowing terms that there are no words left to describe the greatest,” said Mr McCallum. “Unfortunately the public is justified in coming to distrust the merits attributed in theatrical advertising, and genuine praise is often discounted. In Christchurch, a group of recognised musicians might be formed to collate and sift reputable overseas opinions so that the public would have a guide. I would like to see the newspapers featuring a regular column in which information on musical matters and the activities of famous concert artists could be published.” From his experience in directing the tours of concert artists in New Zealand he knew that the people had formerly complained that the Dominion missed personal performances of l eading figures, said Mr McCallum. Now that the war had ended it had been possible , to make amends. He had been told that Christchurch had had more than 30 concerts by overseas artists this season. The group of men he consulted had mentioned that pos-, sibly this frequency had limited audiences. Unfortunately the dates of tours were entirely governed by the availability of the artists and their other fix* ures. ‘Air travel has made it much easier to bring overseas artists to New Zealand than before the war; but the cost is terrific and that is why we must be assured of good houses,” Mr McCallum continued. “Previously many artists could afford the time to come to New Zealand only when their popularity was declining overseas. Now they can make a short visit by air in theii hey-day. “So long as support is assured, we are prepared to arrange such concerts for you; but we must be practical. Dunedin has not responded sufficiently to justify the extra expense, and so Simon Barere will not play there.” Mr McCallum said he hoped Christchurch would soon secure an adequate town, hall where justice could be done to great concerts.