STUDY OF FOLK MUSIC

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27992, 12 June 1956, Page 9

STUDY OF FOLK MUSIC

AMERICAN’S INTEREST IN MAORI TUNES

DR. LAURENCE PETRAN ON WORLD TOUR

The course set for his doctorate of philosophy at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, had led him to a study of folk music, and this in turn nad added interest to his New Zealand visit, said Dr. Laurence Petran, Professor of music at the University of California, Los Angeles, in Christchurch yesterday. f have always wanted to come to New Zealand, and have a special inforest m this country from my studies in Maori music," he said. .. Los Angeles, Dr. Petran establisnea a course in folk music and used recordings of Maori choirs. One of his students won a Fulbright scholarshlP and went to Holland to study under Dr. Jaap Kunst, a leading authority on Indonesian music. On his return a gamelau, or Javanese orchestra was established by the school of music —probably the first time a United btates college had studied foreign tolk music in that way, said Dr Petran.

Auckland and Wellington he had studied the Polynesian sections in the museums, and found them most interesting, said Dr. Petran. “Your museums here are outstanding.” But he had so far heard little traditional Maori music.

Asked what he thought of the modern songs based upon Maori melodies, L)r. Petran said: “I am something of a punst, and I do wish that the Chinese, Polynesians, Peruvians and °thers would not be too influenced by our Tin Pan Alley music. I am fond of United States music, but I regret that it should drive out everything else all round the world.” said Dr Petran, waving a hand towards the radio which was quietly playing on one corner of his hotel lounge.

Interest in Films The cinema is another of Dr. Petran s interests, and he was surprised that more was not done with the opportunities in New Zealand. "You nave the story material here, and you have the scenery; it is a pity that you do not do more.

Last evening he had hoped to see Portrait of Southland,” but found that showing in Christchurch. Instead he went to a suburban cinema to see The Snowline is Their Boundary, a National Film Unit production on high-country mustering This morning Dr. Petran, who is a member of the International Folk Music Council, hopes to meet Mr Leo Bensemann. of Huntsbury avenue, who b„° ne r O L the two Christchurch memVw he o COUnCI! ' He may also call at le Wai Pounamu Maori Girls’ Col*G»e to hear their singing ieaving from Auckland on Wed?nri?J iy -r Dr >'. Petran will fly to Java. India, Turkey and then Stuttgart, for Folk M nvent r i . on of the International Folk Music Council. After that he will leave for Africa, for a more leisurely study of native folk music there.