Principals At Music Rehearsal Were Schoolmates

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29801, 18 April 1962, Page 23

Principals At Music Rehearsal Were Schoolmates

Two schoolmates who. 20 years ago. Ltole dreamed that each would make his own ni he in mus e, were the principal figures at a musical rehears'ltal in Christchurch at the University Hall. Mr John McCaw. principal clarinettist with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, was playing with the Jonn Ritchie String Orchestra, a rousing composition written and conducted by Professor Ritchie. The two Johns, who are combining in a busy few days of university classes, recitals, and rec rd n« for broadcasting, were last together at the King Edward Technical College. Dunedin. Both played in the school orchestra, but John McCaw trained in and took up electric welding and John Ritchie trained in and took uo school tea'hinr. Each has made a name for himself in music

Mr McCaw said he could say in al! modesty that he learned his instrument from h s father (also John) who played the clarinet in a Dunedin orchestra for silent pictures. Young John enlisted in the Royal New Zealand Air Force on the outbreak of war. and almost immediately joined the Air Force Band In 1940 he played in the New Zealand Centennial Symphony Orchestra and was a foundation member of the National Orchestra. Ln 1948 Mr McCaw went overseas "under his own steam” to attend the Royal College of Music, but his training was interrupted (he had just a few lessons) and on the spur of the moment Le teak an audition for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and won the post of second clzr'nettist—“a tribute tc dad ”

Since 1949 Mr McCaw has plaved in al! the orchestra’s concerts, broadcasts, and reenrd nes and. with his pianist wife, has done many solo recitals, broadcasts, and recordings.

Mr MXaw said he had no compunction about saying t'tat bis fellow New Zealanders did not appreciate their standards and achievements in music He had a high opinion of these before he went away—“when such a view was not quite the fashion”—and would still say they were good. The major gains in recent years had been in the proliferation of music through schools. wrs. orchestras, concerts, broadrasts and record 1 , ns (with consequent public interest) and the much more frequent vests of leading overseas soloists and small ensembles.

Toe remaining handicap was the expense of importing or exporting large orchestras and choirs to set comparative standards. A big orchestra could visit New Zealand rarely. Mr M?Caw said. A big choir had seldom, if ever, come The Royal Christchurch Musical Society's recent visit to Adelaide of ‘Belshazzar's Feast' ant for that reason. He did not hear the choir sing on its own, “but the combined choirs' presentation in Adelaide aof ‘Belshazzars Feast’ with the London Philharmonic Orchestra was one cf the greatest performances I have ever heard." he said “We in our or'hestra have heard mc-=t of the great choirs, and we all commented

on the sheer beauty of the sound and the clarity of tne diction.”

Mr McCaw hopes that other young New Zealanders will take up woodwind instruments. But he knows the problems. “Most choose the clarinet because a moderate" one costs £25 and can be used in dance bands as well as orchestras,” he said. “An oboe or bassoon is more expensive and may have a limited future here.” The clarinet Mr McCaw plays is not special. “It is just a clarinet.” he said. But those who hear his recitals, broadcasts, and recordings in New Zealand will agree that he produces most beautiful and versatile effects with it.