Advice To Young Musicans

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 16

Advice To Young Musicans

London is now the mecca of the musical world, continually being invaded by hordes of hopefuls, but the New Zealand-born pianist, Colin Horsley, still thinks young New Zealanders can succeed there if they have the right characteristics. Those characteristics are a strong physique, a strong character, and a gift for music. "Such a person would have to be dedicated.” said Mr Horsley in Christchurch yesterday. “He must have a gift, and if he is patient and works hard he will get the chances when he is ready for

them—that’s my theory and I’ve proved it time and again.” Mr Horsley said there were many musicians in Britain who were willing to go out of their way to help newcomers. But a lot of young musicians were not prepared to put their work first They should not go to Britain with the idea of making a lot of money, because they would not make a lot but they must have a joy and a calling for making music. “London is certainly the ' place to go,” said Mr Horsley. “There are many great orchestras, great artists, and coni certs almost every night They i are very cheap too. In New 1 York, on the other hand, i tickets to concerts are very ex- ■ pensive.”

Mr Horsley said that al- i though he always became very ' nostalgic whenever he returned to New Zealand (last time ' was in 1955), he could not . return here to live and work, i “Music is basically for a ■ minority of the population,” ; he said, “and in a country like ’ Britain I can average 50 or . 60 concerts a year. There are i so many places to play. But i in a small country I could not ; keep that up. “Britain is also a good ter- • minus for the Continent. 1 . play in Holland every year, . and make tours of North Hol- - land (Friesland), Scandina- / via, Spain, France, Italy, and t Sicily. In fact, I’ve played in , every country outside the Iron . Curtain.” He said that if he was living

in New Zealand, the fares to those countries would be prohibitive. On top of that, he was a professor at two colleges—the Royal College of Music, London, and the Royal Manchester College of Music. He spent two days a week at Manchester and half a day in London, but this was adjustable to suit his professional engagements. He also does a lot of recording for the 8.8. C. When he gets a vacation, Mr Horsley leaves his William IV house , at Hampstead Heath and flies ■ to his holiday house on the • Riviera, where he swims, I walks and gardens, and prei pares his next programmes. 1 His Christchurch recital will be in the Civic Theatre ; this evening.