PAOLO AND FRANCESCA

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 254, 10 July 1926, Page 7

PAOLO AND FRANCESCA

(To the I’ditor.) Sir,—Will you kindly allow me to comment briefly on the criticism of the above work that appeared in your Col ‘ umns yesterday, concerning which several competent musicians have spoken to mo with surprise and regret. I had the opportunity some time ago of examining Mr.' Haydon’s score, and so far from finding the music “wonk and colourless,” it appealed to me as exhibiting very high qualities of melody and harmony, of construction and characterisation. T think it is a pity that when an important and sincere work of art is produced here, a rare and remarkable achievement which has hut few parallels in our scanty record of original work, it should be curtly dismissed within few words of condemnation as in the present instance. For my own part I should hare been proud to take part in iis performance hnd I been able. Of the presentation of the work by the Harmonic Society I cannot speak, as T did not hear it. But T know for a fact that, instead of the insuSlcient rehearsal of which your critic complains, it lias received months of careful preparation at the hands of Mr. Temple White, nnd neither he nor his society can ever be accused of putting immatuie work before the puldiec—T am, etc.. ROBERT PARKER. Wellington, July 9 fMr Parker’s opinion, of course, is entitled to serious respect. Our critic’s review suffered from condensation, but fairly represent- ’ his estimate of the performance. One sentence was unfor--Innnfo.lv worded, inasmuch as it appeared to 'throw respons’bility on the society’s conductor, Mr. Temple White. We'should like to make it clear that I his was not intended Our critic s opinion was that an unwise choice had been made by the society in the piece chosen for presentation.]