MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 205, 23 May 1908, Page 12

MUSIC.

N '. — 9 ' [Br Teeblk Clm.] Mr. Arnold Trowell. .. ■ A recent letter received from London by a Wellington; lady states that Mr. Arnold Trowoll, the brilliant, young Wellington 'cellist, has finished_ composing ' another sonata, which is a mighty work, the piano part being quite colossal. . . . Ho has sold some,,of his compositions to two publishers .here,'one being the firm of Schott and Co., ' who. > aro -bringing out six. 'cello pieccs of his." . Enclosed in the lettor was tho notice of>a concert given by Mjss Ethel Hook, which roads as, follows:—'s On ..Saturday evening Miss Ethel Hook gave her first vocal -recital at the Bbchstein Hall. Miss Hook is a .younger sister of Madame Clara Butt, and, liko hor distinguished sister., has been blessed by nature with a. contralto. voico of- exceptional -richness and beauty; indeed,-the reseinblanco of Miss; Hook's voice and stylo tdthoso of her sister at the commencement of-hor career is quite startling. l Miss Hook is evidently destined by. nature and temperament for a singer in 'the grand manner.' This fact was made patent by the breadth of stylo displayed in her rendering ofi Buoiir pneini's IL' Esperto Nocchiqro' and Mozart 1 s' Quando miro quel bel ciglio.' Again in Gliick's ' Divinities du Styx' the samo quality was noticeable; added to an l appreciation of the purely dramatic quality of tho music. In a group of lieder by Schumann, Schubert, and Giehrt the young sinser was loss well suited; both in German and French she has yet a. great deal to learn' in the matter of pronunciation and accent, but these are defects which can easily be rectified. With such a voice, style, and appearance thoro is no reason , why Miss, Hook should not in courso of time attain the same high position amongst English contraltos as her sister has reached. She has tho same whole-hearted manner of pouring, out her very, ibost, and that very best, lot it bo stated, is very good indeed. The singer was assisted by Mr. Arnold Trowell, the 'cellist, who played with the utmost distinction Haydn's 'Concerto in D Major',' and amongst other things some variations on a theme by Schubert - by. Gorvais. For this 'young artist difficulties do not seem to exist. His intonation, phrasing, and musical intelligence aro beyond reproach; more cannot be said."

Pattl V/anted to Learn. ' Patti was thd best paid, prima-donna of all times, and Jean do Reszke the best paid tenor. The two are good friends, ■and tnerti is a, story that after Jean began to teach iii Paris, Patti wrote him, saying: "Dear Jeau —I should so much like to learn your method 1" 1 whereupon Jean is reportedto have said: "Dear Adelina —I do not taki> beginners in my method. I will send you a pupil teacher 1" How does Joan, de Reszke teach? His method is explained in an interesting article by W. H. Arnold, in; tho February "Musician." But he is not for everybody, .'for not all.can pay his terms, nor doos ho take any who have insufficient talent. As Mr, Arnold remarks: ■ Mr. de Reszke teaches from ten to twelvo in the morning, and from half-past one to seven in tho afternoon. He charges £4: (100 francs) ■ for a half-hour's private lesson, and £2 to each pupil for an hour lesson in a class of four. The classes are hold in the afternoon at two, three, and four o'olock. If one taught, as ho does, seven and a half hours a day at £8 an hour, one would earn £60 a day. Allowing, as one must, a considerable sum for the running expenses of a teaching establishment so finoly equipped, and allowing, foo, for a certain percentage of free lessons, it is still quito safe to consider Mr. do Reszke well paid for his day's work. '

Notes, Sir Edward Elgar has accepted the presidency of tho Musical League, newly formed to oncourago the development of musical lifo and culture in England. .To this end, annual festivals will be organised, a journal win be printed, social meetings arranged, and legislation having a bearing on the art will bo watched. Sir Edward Elgar, who is in Rome at the moment, has just completed a sotting of Sholloy's " Odo to. the West Wind." ■ 'A gentleman who desires to remain anonymous, s, lover of mnsic and an admirer of, the work which has been dona'jn .Melbourne ley Mr. Marshall Hall, has notified tho nunagert of the Marshall Hall orchestral concerts that he _ is preparod to give £1000 towards establishing tk«s« »oncsrt» oa a permanent basis. The oaly condition which the donor has imposed is that tho orchestra shall bo under tho direction of Mr. Marshall Hall, as conductor. Tho fund mil bo known as the " Lady Northcoto Permanent Orohostra Trust Fund."