MUSIC and RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 267, 6 August 1932, Page 17

MUSIC and RECORDS

Bv

C.J.M.

Stray Notes. One of the features of the concert to be given by the Apollo Singers this (Saturday) evening is a B ra bm s “Rhapsody” for alto soloist, male voice choir, and orchestra. As an orchestra is not available its part will be played on the pianoforte by Mr. jSrnest Jenner. Miss Ruth Perry, of Masterton, will be the soloist. Brahms ha? written, some delightful vocal and instrumental music, but this combination is unique. So far as is known, the number has not been performed before in 'Wellington, Mr. Ernest Jenner will be misgeo when he leaves Wellington for Christchurch at the end the year. Not only has he been of value as a teacher of music and instructor in musical appreciation at the Teachers’ Training College, but as a pianist he has earned golden opinions. Mr. Jenner’s temperament at the keyboard is such thqt he cannot play without creating interest. There are so many pianists who play but do not interest or entertain that Mr. Jenner Is somewhat of a rara avis. He is a most artistic accompanist, and his. work with the Apollo Singers inis always been of vital value. It is not generally known that Joseph Haydn wrote a charming comic opera. “The Apothecary,” a Score of which has been secured by Mr. H. Temple White (unfortunately With the lyric's in German). It was performed in New York under Skalski this year, when it created quite a favourable impression, according to Press criticisms. Mr. white hits the idea of presenting this work When in possession of an English translation of the German text. Mr. Harry Stringer, general manager in New Zealand of J. C. Wullflmson, Ltd., and Messrs. J. and N. TuR state that the world-famous soprano singer, Galli-Curci, will open the New Zealand season at the Grand Opera Hotise, Wellington, on Thursday, August 25, and that after the second recital on Saturday, August 27. the dirfti will appear in the principal centres as follow Christchurch, August 80, September l and 3; Dunedin, September 7 and 10; Auckland, September 22, 24, and 26. . . The whole of the principals of the Williamson Imperial Gtand Opera. Company now in Australia* paid ft tribute to the Ihte Dame Nellie Melba on a recent Sunday by making a pilgrimage to Wt grave at Lilydale. Signor Apollo GtpW' fei-te Sftiig Gounod's “Ave Mario, while the artists Stood around, the grave. He was accompanied by Sign* Rossi on an organ. It was Granforte s wish that this tribute be paid to Melba because he was associated with her in both the 1926 and 19128 season of opera in Australia. Slgnorina CeSftrina Valebra, who is singing roles in this season made famous by Melba, placed a huge floral harp on the grave on behalf of the company. This bore the inscription “Dame Nellie Melba; Beloved Mimi; a tribute of esteem from, thei Principals of the WilllamSon Imperial Grand Opera Company, 1932.. Lina Paliughl also placed a laurel wreath on the grave. After the ceremony, the artists paid a vifeit to Coombe Cottftgb, the beautiful country homo of MelbaBrahms. In his early years Brahms earned ,a meagre livelihood by scoring marches and other popular melodies fdr small orchestras pitlying at the various beer* gardens'. •’ l ±2' Later in life he often referred to these times of privation aild struggle, find said that he would not have had them different. He was of the opinion that privation, and want of recognition; often acted as incentives to a genuinely artistic nature, rather thari the contrary. When accidentally coming across one of those early anonymous efforts in after years, he would remark that, at the time, all his energies had been expended on the work, and, that the money he received for it had been money well earned. / . v At ohe period In his career BrahmS lia4 been forced by circumstances to take a post as accompanist in a secondrate “Cafe Chantant,’’ find play for comedians and dancers, He frequently said, ■ “My happiest inspirations often came to me in the early morning when I was cleaning my boots!" He also used to relate how, as a small boy, with no technical knowledge of music whatever, he had made the discovery that by placing dots higher br lower on lines ruled on paper, sounds could be visualised. This was long before he was aware of the existence of musical notation. Brahms's life-long . friendship with, and affection for, Robert and Clara Schumann, is sufficiently demonstrated in the famous collection of “Letters.” It was with Introductions from Robert Schumann that young' Brahms, then an entirely unknown quantity, first made his appearance in the musical world. Schuihann, writing of Brahms in one of the leading musical journals of the day, said: — . , . “His Individuality is quite excep-

tional. Muses and heroes have watched around bis cradle, “He has attained the position of ‘Master’ of his art, not by. a tedious clambering up the ladder rung by rqng, but has come to the front armed at all points, like Minerva springing fully panoplied from the head of Jupiter. “When he takes his seat at the piano ftUd touches the keys, a new world opens up before us. We feci drawn into an enchanted circle ... as an addition, a marvellous execution. . ... He has the power to make his instrument sound like a full orchestra, each part distinct and of equal value.’’ During the time of stress and anxiety following Robert Schumann’s mental collapse, which rendered his removal to a “Home for Diseases bf the Mind” essential, and where shortly ' afterwards he died, Brahms proved himself a faithful friend and adviser to the widow. . He looked upon Clara Schumann as the noblest and most inspired of her sex. To a mutual friend lie once wrote: — “When you write anything, ask yourself, as I do, whether a woman like Clara Schumann will derive pleasure from the perusal of what you have written. Should there be any doubt in your mind on the subject, leave it alone.” The Musical Scale of the Hindus. “One of the queerest and most difficult things to understand in music is the musical scale of the Hindus. It Is so different from anything the Western mind has been used to that it is only concentration that will bring any sense out of it. But once the idea behind it has been coniprehended there is much that is beautiful ftnd even bewitching in It,” writes “E.E.R.,” in the “Choir." “The scftle comprises seven tones. These are sub-divided into twenty-two smaller tones, which are called serutisIt is on these serutis that the building Is made, fot from them came the three gramas. “Here we are at the heart of Hindu music. It is arranged to awaken feeling or sentiment. Mufeie is classified according to the feeling it does rouse. Thus the grania (or ragn, as some authorities call it) is ft succession Of nbtes arranged in siich a way as to Awaken passion or violence or anything else. Jt is the arrangement of notes that is peculiar. “The Hindustani method is the most peculiar of these Hindu divisions of music, fdi’ by it the ragas ard divided liito six males; each ,of which has at least five wives (raginis) and numerous children (pUiras). To. get music it is only neefessary to take d male and femate or a child or children. Sometimes two miles are taken, sometimes two fehiales: The variations are. limitless, and the subtler musical HlnJu mind eiin find new variations all the time. “In this Hindu music it is strange to find that the interval, or the space between the notes, is of more value and Importance than the note Itself. There is not ft break anywhere in th® scale With it. The result is a constant discord to the very musical ears. ‘‘Consequently one Is not surprised to find that the rhythm of this Indian music has limitless possibilities. There are as many as a hundred categories of rhythm that are known to some European students of Indian music, but Indian musicians tell us that there are very many more, some suggesting that lhfire are AS many as ohe hundred ahd fifty. “So when One writes that Hindu music seta out to do something definitely, auch as Winning a lover or awakening n temper, Ohe can see that there is a rhythm at hand to do sb.” Recorded Music. The famoiis English dramatic actress, MiSs Sybil Thorndike, who is to visit New Zealand shortly, and who has appeared in talking pictures, has recorded, with the assistance of Lewis Cassph, two scenes from Shakespeare’s “Mgcbeth”—the “Letter Scene” (Act 1., Scene 5), and the “Murder Scene” (Act 2, Scene 2). These are as fine and moving episodes as the play holds, and Ohsson works up his big speech in the “Murder Scene” with real dramatic force and feeling. (H.M-V.) A selection entitled “The Flower of Hawaii” is played by Marek Weber and 41s orchestra, assisted by the Comedy Harmonists, a first-rate German choir. “ThO Flower of Hawaii” is an operetta by Paul Abrahams, composer of “Viktoria and Her Hussar,” which has for the past year been the rage, of Europe. Abrahams has struck a new line In light Opera composition, and his work is marked by vitality and original melody. (H.M.V.) Another bedtime story by Wish Wynne, the famous comedienne whose death was reported recently, is a brilliant example of her art. Miss Wymie recounts the story of a well-known fairy tale, “Sleeping Beauty," as told by a London slum child, and the variations uf the original narrative are truly delightful. (H.M.V.)

BANDS AND BANDSMEN (By “Kneiier Hall?’) TO CORRESPONDENTS—Band secretaries are invited to forward reports of concerts and band functions generally by Wednesday of each Week, in order to ensure publication in the following Port Nicholson's Fine Recital. Port Nicholson Silver Band gave Its ninth concert of the season last Sunday evening in the Grand. Opera House, the building being packed with an appreciative audience. A programme of more than ordinary excellence was presented, and the band, which Was under the conductorship of Mr. J. J. Drew, contributed a number of items sufficiently varied to please all tastes. An arrangement by E. Swift of selections from W. V. Wallace’s evergreen Opera “Lurline'’ gave great pleasure, and wiis a welcome change from that composer’s rather hackneyed "Maritana.” The various solos' were interpreted very acceptably, and the concerted Items and ensembles left nothing to be ddsired. Masterton Recitals Popular. Rand recitals have not lost their “draw” In the provincial centres and the smaller country towns, though the multiplicity of counter-attractions has had its effect in the cities. Instances are not wanting that concerts given outside the metropolitan areas supply a muqh-needed want, and that bands do not have to fall back on audiences with jaded appetities for evidence of appreciation. This remark is prompted by the fact that the Masterton Municipal Mall was crowded to excess last Sunday night when the Municipal Band, under Conductor R. J. Young, gave a highly successful concert In aid of the unemidoyed workers' self-help club. Band Music at Football. There is nothing like doing things In style, and Wanganui is evidently determined not to be behind the times.

The annual charity football match, Police versus Press, is to take place in that city on August 20, aiid as an additional attraction if has been sug gested that Mr. Tom Gray should compose a special march tune to be played ‘by the bands as the teams walk on to the playing ground. Mr. Gray has already given proof of his ability as a composer by producing a number of marches which have hit the popular taste, and provided he is prepared to turn on a quickstep at such short notice the appearance of the composition will be awaited with interest. Queen Carnival. The Red Cross Society is organising a Queen Carnival for the relief of distress, and several functions have been held, apd will be held, in aid of the effort. It is intended to hPlfl a community sing in the Town Hall concert chamber on Monday night, and thfe Port Nicholson Si'/er Band, with Mr. J. J. Drew conducting, will contribute several items to the programme in aid of the V.A.D. Queen. Origin of Sousa’s Name. About the origin of Sousa’s name many versions have gone the usual rounds. On this subject the New York “Musical Courier” says as follows: — Those stories about the origin ,of Sousa’s name continue to course along their ridiculous way. The most familiar of the tales has him born in Portugal with “So” as his family name, and arriving in this country With a trunk marked “So,” U.S.A.,'’ he is said to have Conceived the idea of callihg himself “Sousa.” His original name was Soiisa, as written in the baptismal register where he was born—Pipetown, a suburb of Washington, D.C. His father, a musician, lived there for years under the name of Sousa before John Philip came into the world. Why keep on spreading stupid misstatements? Belated Ultimatum. The “British Empire Band Journal” States that the Luton Red Cross Band has been notified by the War Office to discontinue using the words “Red Cross” as part of its title. The letter giving the reason for the request is as follows: “I am commanded py the Army Council to inform you that the use of the words ‘Red Cross’ in connection with your band constitutes an infringement of the Geneva Convention Act, 1911, and therefore to request yoii to cause the words 'Red Cross’ to be eliminated wherever used in the above connection at your very earliest opportunity, and provided that this is dope and an assurance is given thtjt there will be no further contravention bf the Act, th? Council are prepared to forgo further action." The band has used the title for 40 years, find as such is known to thousands of wireless listeners and familiar in the parks of London and Midland townsThere is a lot in a name at times, and it seeing bard on the Luton meh to have this break In their band history. A new name has not yet been decided upon. Gleanings. The Director of Music at the Royal Military School of Music, Kheller Hall, England, is Captain H. E. Adkins, Mus. Bae., L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M., etc. . Mr. Arthur O. Pearce, conductor of the Black Dyke Mills Banff (England) this year completed his twentieth year’s service as leader Of the fatnous organisation. Steffham Brass Band, Sussex, was founded In 1674, and claims to be the oldest banff in the world. Mr. Rook; aged 77, has been bandmaster for 18 years and has played in it for 60 years, besides being treasurer for 40 years. Schubert’s beautiful melody the '“Serenade” was written in a beer garden in a suburb of Vienna, on tijb back of a blll-df-fare. At the annual service for bandsmen at Bristol (England), Mt F. A. Wilshire, a prominent legal and musical light, was Invited to conduct the massed bands who attended service, so he stood on a chair in the middle bf the street and led in the playing bf the well-known hyjnn tune “Autelia.”