MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2729, 25 March 1916, Page 9

MUSIC.

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Choral Union's Conductor, Conductors of choral societies, who perforco must have a knowledge of orchestral music, the restrictions of the •various instruments,'etc., are not'to bo found on every street corner. There tire many able musicians iu Wellington, who, in their sphere, do excellent work, but a conductor must necessarily be a many-sided personality. Ho must always be sure that, in his interpretations. lie is supported by, reasons not inconsistent 'with logical idea; he may depart from traditional readings in many instances, hut must have- some substantial and artistic reason for doing 60. Ho should dominate those under his control, and is all tho better equipped when ho can exert by .reason of his personal magnetism an enthusiasm for his ideas. In a restricted community such as Wellington, lie must, too, be diplomatic in imposing those strictures necessary for the conveyance of those ideas in order to' preserve •'harmony among tho members of his chorus and orchestra. So it will be rccogniscd that the 'appointment of a conductor is not the easiest of tasks. The Royal Choral Union, in selecting Mr. Robert Parker, have chosen a conductor. who has throughout a long and interesting musical career in Wellington gained the respect, and I might also say the love, of tho music-loving community of Wellington. Ho may not be as exacting in the drill-work of rehearsals as' one might wish, when the qualities of a martinet are at times needed, to ensure tho best results, but Mr. l'arker may, with tho proper material at liis disposal, bo relied upon for scholarly readings of tho works ho may be called upon to direct, and with the enthusiastic desire to work hard which one lids'a'right to expect from the new union, the result of his appointment should give • satisfaction to all concerned.

At Tuesday's rehearsal, Mr. Parker mentioned incidentally that ho could a tale untold of musical performances in Wellington in the misty past. As lie is known as the possessor of a pretty talent for writing, it is to bo hoped that he will sooner or later place on record an account of those ancient days which he, and lie alone, is able to do. N.S.W. Ccnservatorium of Music. We are in receipt of the prospectus of the newly-constituted Conservatoriuin of Music of New South Wales. It "ives some interesting information. M. Henri Verbragghen, the direotor, is obviously determined to make his institution a centre of rich musical activity. Ho purposes delivering no fewer than twenty-four lectures on interpretation, appreciation, aesthetics,. and kindred subjects in the course of the year. He Will also direct proceedings at two concerts. at which students will be given opportunity to show individual skill, and two more where students will parforni collectively. .These two latter will be orchestral. In addition to all this, lie will conduct eight choral and orchestral concerts, where the personnel will bo mostly "professional." Further, M. Verbrugghen will make use of'his own famous string quartot. "This combination," the prospectus states, "has been studying together regularly v(for, over 12 years) in Britain, and enjoys a high nrtisfcio reputation- in European art centres." The quartet is led by M. Verbrugglion himself. The other members aro Miss Jenny Cullcn (second violin), Mr,. David E. Nichols (viola), and M. James Messeas ('cello). The director promises to give encourgcnient to operatic performance as soon as students of tho Conservatoriuin are efficient enough "to undertake the • stuffy of opera in a thoroughly adequate and artistically satisfactory manner." Various other branches of onsemble study will also he undertaken, and tuition will, of courac. bo given in the usual single subjects—pianoforte, violin, singing, etc. To aid him in these, 31. Verbrugglien has got together a large staff of teachers, including M. Albert iGoossons, Madame Slappoffski, Madamo Charvin, Miss Jeniiy Cullen, Mr. Joseph Bradley, Mr. David Nichols, Mr. Henry Penn, Mr. Alfred Hill. M.' James Messeas, Mr. Arundel Orchard, and many others. "The chief aim of the Conservatorium," according to tho prospcetu? "will be to provide tuition of a standard at least equal to that of the leading European conscrvatoriums, thus obviating the necessity of students coing abroad to complete thoir musical education."