SCENES AND SOUNDS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1266, 23 October 1911, Page 7

SCENES AND SOUNDS.

« THE DAY'S WORK. AT ROYAL ACADEMY OF MVSIC. (JSy l-'rank Jlntchcns.) In a little street off Hanover Square, a few blocks away from t)ic roar and buslle of Oxford Circus, the passer-by is arrested by sounds of a somewhat alarmin" kind. The effect of lii'ty different performers in as many class-rooms, combined with a J arse orchestra in the eoncert hall, and the strains of a pipe organ from some subterranean class-room, is sufficiently startling. 11 is fears are allayed by the information that it is the iioval Academy of -Music, London. The building itself is old aud unpretentious, and visitors, seeing it for tho first time, may experience a sense of disappointment. Once inside, however, all is different. Students throng the lobbies, going to and from their lessons, Professors are seen arriving to take up their duties, and the general enthusiasm is exhilarating. Student Types, and the Teachers. Tuesday is the busy day. At half-past nine in the morning students—mostly of the fair sex, for they are four to one— are seen arriving. They carry satchels bearing the word "music." 1 am (old that the satchels sometimes contain sandwiches, but I have 110 accurate knowledge 011 the matter. At ten o'clock the male students have their ears trained by a venerable professor. Tho ladies undergo a similar operation at 11 o'clock. This enables siugor.s to take tho interval of F. to B. I believe that is their ambition. By special desire, f refrained from singing,"but whistled instead. A glance round the class-rooms is of interest. Here Mr. Frederick Corded, probably 1110 greatest teacher of composition in England—a most fascinating man —is moulding the work of young British composers. There Mr. Tobias Mnlthay i» influencing the pianoforte technique of the present day as no other teacher is doing. To this really great teacher and genial personality i attribute mv progress. Mr. Oscar Jferinger and Air. Itondegger (the oldest professor in the academy) are also to bo seen imparting knowledge to young students. The Principal, Sir A. C. MacKcnzie, arrives at 2 o'clock to conduct: the orchestral rehearsal. The opportunity of rehearsing one's own orchestral works, and playing concertos with the orchestra, is one of the greatest advantages of a big musical institution. Competition and emulation are also great incentives to work. New Zealand has, and is, doing well in the musical world in London. The names of .New Zealanriers are inscribed ill many places on the prize-winning panels of the Academy, and at present studying in London. I know 01" several New Zealanders who will soon be recognised as coining men. Quite a Humorous Side to It All. Music in England has taken a now lease of life. JJlgar has inspired the composers, and, in a few years, Lngland will become aware of the 'fact that she has in her midst men well titled to represent her in the music of the world. The old Academy hn.s, within this week, been superseded by a line new edihee near Madame Tussaud's. .Mr. (.'order refers to the new building as being salubriously and conveniently situated, with Madamn Tussaud's close by, tho Cripples' Home over the way, a workhouse a little further down, and Marylebone Church precisely opposite. They all hoped to end in .Madame Tussaud's as crowned head or murderer. Failing that, they had the consolation of the workhouse. The Cripples' Home was useful for those who failed to get through their examinations, and the burial ground opposito was tho natural home of composers. So thero was something for everybody. Many memories, however, will' still cling to tile old place, and we all agree that student days are the most eujoyablo in our life.