CULTURAL SOCIETY

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27441, 30 August 1954, Page 2

CULTURAL SOCIETY

ADDRESS ON FOLK MUSIC .

The excellent programme presented at the monthly meeting of the Christchurch Cultural Society on Saturday night was mainly contributed by two overseas visitors—Dr. R. Yingling and Olive Bloom. Dr. Yingling is professor of music at the University of Connecticut, and is visiting Christchurch under the Fulbright scheme, and Olive Bloom is a professor of music dt the Royal College in London, where her husband is also a member of the professorial staff. On Saturday night, she gave a half-hour recital, playing works by Scarlatti, Schubert, Brahms, and Chopin, to an enthusiastically appreciative audience.

Before the recital, Nancy Sherris sang five Shakespearean songs by Gerald Finzi, and Mrs W. E. Olds accompanied the songs on the piano. Dr. Yingling spoke on the historical roots of American music, and these roots were the folk music of the people. He enumerated the six characteristics of folk music—directness, syncopation, element of sadness, simplicity in harmony, quick catch, and downwards melody—and sang and played folk songs to illustrate each characteristic. Dr. Yingling described the folk songs of the Kajunas, or mulattos, people with some white blood, and the work songs of the American negroes, with some from Texas. After singing and playing two negro spirituals, Dr. Yingling said, “These are the root germs of American music and some of the material that American composers must work with to arrive at a true expression of the people.” The president (Mr D. J. Hewitt) presided at the meetihg, at which two new members were elected. Dr. G. Jobberns expressed members* gratitude to the artists and the speaker.