THE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27279, 20 February 1954, Page 8

THE NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

ENGLISH CONDUCTOR APPOINTED

MR JAMES ROBERTSON, OF SADLER’S WELLS

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 19.

Mr James Robertson, M.A. (Cantab.), A.R.C.M., director and conductor of the Sadler’s Weils Opera since 1946, has been appointed conductor of the National Orchestra of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service. Mr Robertson will take over his new post in August from Mr Warwick Braithwaite, who has been interim conductor since Mr Michael Bowles’s term expired in 1953. Making this announcement today, the Minister in charge of Broadcasting (Mr R. M. Algie) said he had realised, not without anxiety, that when the conductorship of the National Orchestra changed, the orchestra’s repute and progress were at stake. “I am confident that both are secured by Mr Robertson’s acceptance of the appointment I have offered him,” said Mr Algie. Mr Algie said that nearly 70 applications were received from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada. Britain and Europe. “Not only the number, but also the quality of the applications for the post was gratifyingly high—a fact in which it is not fanciful to measure the credit which the National Orchestra has won.” Mr Algie said. Most of the applications were lodged in London, where they were reviewed by Mr C. B. McNair, overseas music organiser for the British Broadcasting Corporation, Mr Eric Warr, assistant head of music programmes, and Sir James Shelley, formerly Director of Broadcasting in New Zealand, with whom Mr R. M. Campbell was associated at New Zealand House.

Mr Algie said he knew that New Zealand audiences would give the new conductor a warm personal welcome when he began work before the season ended. Before this, there would be many concerts conducted by Mr Braithwaite, and he would be bidden farewell by “audiences of the grateful friends he has made or confirmed for the National Orchestra.” Mr Robertson’s Career

After several years as a member of the musical staff of thv Glyndebourne Opera and as conductor and chorus master of the Royal Carl Rosa Opera Company, Mr Robertson, in 1939, was appointed conductor for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation at Winnipeg. Subsequently he served for six years chi the staff of the Air Ministry and in the Royal Air Force Intelligence, mainly in the Middle East.

In symphony concerts, schools’ concerts, and broadcasting and recording engagements, Mr Robertson has conducted the London Philharmonic, the London Symphony, the Philharmonia, the Liverpool Philharmonic, and other orchestras. One of these orchestras is the first orchestra of the Royal College of Music, of which Mr Robertson is an associate. He is aged 41, is married, and has ohe child.