CONCERTS BY N.Z. ARTISTS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27306, 24 March 1954, Page 3

CONCERTS BY N.Z. ARTISTS

MR MAURICE TILL’S VIEWS

Mr Maurice Till, a Christchurch pianist, who will give v his first solo recital this week, is testing his conviction that there is scope for s New Zealand artists to give periodic con-

certs in their own country 4n association with other activities For the last five years, Mr Till has been on the staff of the music der partment of Otago University, which maintains its own trio. He has played 11 times with the National Orchestra, and two years ago was accompanist for the tour of Norman Walker, the English bass singer. To appeal to a general audience, a popular programme might-"be necessary, Mr Till said, but he thought interest could also be gained by playing lesser-known works of pianoforte literature. As an experiment, Mr Till has chosen the 24 preludes of Chopin, which are rarely played on a New Zealand stage in their entirety.

There were many works of the masters which were not often played, and a wide field among the modern composers, he said. The repetition of a small number of standard works was apt to become monotonous to even the general audience.

“I would like to find a place for New Zealand performers at home, and I will not be satisfied until I have -tried,” he added.

Mr Till attended St. Andrew’s College and then took a master of arts degree in mathematics and also a diploma in music at Canterbury University College, besides the English music examinations. Immediately afterwards, he joined the music department’ s staff at Oago University.