MUSIC and RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 124, 18 February 1933, Page 17

MUSIC and RECORDS

Bv

C.J.M.

John Brownlee’s Visit. Piano enthusiasts will have a great treat when the John Brownlee concerts take place in this city, for Mr. Brownlee is bringing with him a remarkably gifted supporting artist, Mr. Raymond Lambert. The latter is a young Belgian pianist, who has been gaining excellent Press criticisms in Australia. Mr. Lambert appears to be that rare type of pianist, a brilliant soloist and a perfect accompanist. In the critique of the first Brownlee concert in Brisbane the “Daily Mail” said: “Mr. Raymond Lambert made it hard for his listeners to decide betw’een his fine solo work and his wonderful accompaniments,” and the “Telegraph” critic wrote: “Raymond Lambert showed great versatility as a pianist by interpreting with equal appreciation a 'Toccata and Fugue’ of Bach and a ‘Toccata’ of Debussy, on the one hand, and the more descriptive and colourful themes of Debussy's ‘Claire de Lune’ nad ‘L’lsle Joyeuse’ on the other. The gorgeous accompaniments were a cunning combination of unobtrusiveness and clear-cut playing which gave support to a singer who, though in little actual need of support of any kind, was enriched by the sort he got.” The Brownlee tour of New Zealand will open in Auckland on Thursday, March 2. The first recital in Wellington will be on March 18.

Another Opera Company. Mr. Hugo Larsen announces that he is working in conjunction with Sir Benjamin Fuller and Mr. John Fuller in organising the Australian tour of the San Carlo Opera Company, which is at present appearing in the East. The season is due to open in Sydney in March. Mr. Larsen declares that the highest price at all performances, irrespective of whether they are premieres or not, will be 7/6, and the lowest 2/-. “The company,” he goes on in a statement issued, “is a wellbalanced one, whose members have been carefully selected with a view tb the blending of voices, and to a general harmony in physical appearance. The tour will embrace the capital cities in all States, and the principal cities in New Zealand. It is expected to last a year, without any return seasons.” Delightful Musical Play.

“Waltzes From Vienna,” a delightful musical play which has been one of the most popular of its type in recent years, having run for 600, twice daily performances at the Alhambra Theatre, London, is being staged in Australia. It will be presented in New Zealand probably about July or August. The principals in the cast are all English and Include John Moore (Schani Strauss), Shirley Dale (Rest), Miriam Sabbage (The Countess Olga brey Mailleau (Johann Strauss, senior), Ivy Kirby (premier dnnseuse) and Jocelyn Yeo (Augustina, the bride). The captivating music throughout is by Strauss—-indeed, the Story is written round the life of Johann Strauss and his son—two meh of renown in the musical world of Germany. The strains of the “Blue Danube” waltz haunt the production.

San Francisco’s New Opera House. Sah Francisco is the first city in the United States to have a municipal opera house. It forms part of the War Memorial and cost about three million dollars. The building is French Renaissance in style, and the architects made a study of the principal opera houses of the Old World Hud the New before making their plans. Signor Reticle Ansaldo of La Scala journed to San Francisco to give his counsel and there was also called in a specialist in acoustics. The first season of opera, just concluded, has greatly gratified musiclovers. Their first copcern was that the music should sound well. On this head Claudia Muzio, Lily Pons, Marla Mueller, Dino Borgioll and Friedrich Schorr have given them complete satisfaction, both by verbal testimony and by performance. The capacity of the Opera House is 3285, with standing room for 700. The auditorium has a width of 113 feet; it is 116 feet long from curtain to the rear of the balcony, and the height is 74 feet. It is claimed that the stage has, at the present time, no equal in the world. The prosenium arch has an opening of 52 feet and rises 51 feet. The proportions of the stage are: Depth 83 feet, width 131 feet, height from stage level to roof 140 feet. There are four fly galleries and two grids, find tlie spotlight bridge can be raised or lowered. The cloud machine throws its rays on a cyclorama 85 feet high. The switchboard, which is 30 feet long, can be controlled from a clavier in the prompter’s box. The Opera House will also b(j used for the conceits of the San Francisco Symphony. The orchestra which can be raised and lowered, can be divided, so as to accommodate a Mozartean orchestra or tlie complement of 125 required for more modern works.

Music v. Mechanism. In an address to members of the by<iney Music Lovers’ Club, the director of the New South Wales Conservatorium (Dr. Orchard) deplored the effect which broadcasting and other mechanical means of reproducing music were exerting on the concert world. Twenty or 30 years ago, he said, the three principal choral bodies in Sydney were alt able to draw large audiences. To-day they sang to half-empty halls. These remarks of Dr. Orchard’s were timely; and so were his references to the activities of the British Broadcasting Corporation in London; for a natural parallel has arisen between these and the policy of the National Broadcasting Commission in Australia. When the 8.8. C. formed its orchestra, orchestral playing in London had fallen to a low standard. The easiest and quickest road to improvement was for the 8.8. C. to do what no other body at that time seemed able or willing to do. Backed by its Government subsidy, the 8.8. C. has developed a fine body of players. Stimulated by this example, the London Symphony Orchestra recently put its house in order, ami a splendid new organisation, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, has come into being. In this way the influence of the 8.8. C. has beou a good one. But, on the other hand, the orchestras which depend purely upon the public iu the concert-hall find themselves at a serious disadvantage, in competition with the State-endowed 8.8. C. The true function of the 8.8. C. Orchestra would now seem to be the introduction of new and unfamiliar music, such as other orchestras find financially too uncertain to touch. So far, however, this trolley has not been pursued. In tlie matter of choral singing, too, the 8.8. C. has developed what many musicians regard as au unfair advantage. It has trained a choir of its own; but, according to all accounts, this choir is inferior to the Philharmonic Choir ami the Oriana Madrigal Choir, to select only two examples of the many worthy choral bodies in ami about London. Would it not have been better to give well paid engagements

to the best of these choirs than to bring into being a new large chorus? The question of a choir (the one stressed by Dr. Orchard) is the one which applies particularly to Australia. On the one hand, the National Broadcasting Commission can afford, through the scope of its activities, to do ambitious work. It is bringing Dr. Malcolm Sargent to this country, for instance, to conduct its orchestras for a season; and it has now been arranged that Dr. Sargent conduct a choral work as well. In Sydney he will direct a performance of “Elijah,” for which a special choir is being organised, consisting of the Broadcasting Choir of 50 voices, the Musical Association’s Choir of 80 voices, and 70 other voices, which will be selected by Musical Association representatives. But, on the other hand, the older choral bodies, like the Royal Philharmonic Society and the Royal Sydney Apollo Club, which have a long tradition of splendid service behind them, are in a precarious condition. It would not be surprising at any moment to hear that one or other of them was going out of existence.

Recorded Music. The Light Opera Company is presented in vocal gems from Edward German’s tuneful opera, “Merrie England,” whoch comprise such favourite melodies as “O, Peaceful England,” ‘‘The Yeomen of England,” “My Troth is Plighted,” "When Cupid First This Old World Trod,” “The English Rose,” “Robin Hood's Wedding,” and “With a Hey, Robin.” The orchestral accompaniment is also successfully recorded. (H.M.V.) One of the most popular items played by Mischa Levitzki during his New Zealand tour was Liszt’s “La Campanella,” which is a transcription of one of Paganini’s violin etudes. It is a simple theme descriptive of bells ringing out the Angelus from the bell tower (or campanile), and this Interesting theme Levitzki has recorded excellently. Ou the same record he plays another brilliant composition. Rubenstein’s “Staccato Etude,” and again the pianist shows not only impeccable technique but a beautiful singing tone. (H.M.V.) There are several songs in the British picture, “Looking on the Bright Side,” featuring Gracie Fields. Grade Fields, who plays the part of a poor manicurist rising to stardom on the vaudeville stage, sings herself four songs on two H.M.V. records. The principal theme song is “Looking on the Bright Side,” first introduced by the hair-dresser-composer, and sung by scores of people coming down the stairs of the huge “Parker’s Peace” tenement house. When Gracie eventually makes a stage success she sings a comic song, “He's Dead But He Won’t Lie Down.” After hearing a quarrel in “Parker’s Peace,” she suggests to her friend to compose “After To-night We Say Good-bye.” The most tuneful musical number of the film is “You’re More Than all the World to Me,” sung whilst she bathes her friend’s child. Both in the picture and on records Gracie Field’s mannerisms are inimitable. bands and bandsmen (By “Knelier Hall.”) -TO CORRESPONDENTS.—Band secretaries are invited to forward reports of ccncerts and bund functions generally by Wednesday of each week, in order to ensure publication in the following Saturday’s issue of "The Dominion.” Dunedin Contest Starts To-day. The Dunedin Contest commences today, when the C grade and pipe bands quickstep competition will be held, in addition to a military display. In the evening the same bands will compete in the “own choice” selections at the Town Hall. On Monday evening the A, B, and C grade hymn tests will be held in the Town Hall. The B grade tests will take place in the Town Hall on Tuesday and Thursday evenings next, and on Wednesday and Friday evenings the A grade tests. The A and B grade quicksteps will be held at the Carisbrook grounds on Saturday afternoon next, and at night the “own choice” selections for these bands will be held in the Town Hall. Two pace counters will be used for the quickstep competitions instead of one, as formerly. A special prize of a cup is to be presented to the band winning the hymn test. The trumpet and bugle band of the Otago Regiment will give a display during the quickstep competition this afternoon, and the band of the Otago Regiment will be requested to lend its assistance on the same occasion. The principal test selection is “A Downland Suite,” by Dr. John Ireland, which by a coincidence was the piece de resistance at the Crystal Palace festival in October last. The A grade quickstep will be “Marathon,” by Rimmer. In the B grade test the chief selection will be “I Capuletti,” by Bellini, and for the quickstep “Mandora, ’ by the late James Ord Huine, has been chosen. Successful Campaign.

The campaign inaugurated some weeks ago by the Wellington Brass Bands’ Association for the purpose of raising funds to send the Port Nicholson Silver Baud to the Dunedin Contest, was virtually concluded on Saturday last, when various city bands gave a performance at the Basiu Reserve. There was a large attendance of the public and the programme submitted was thoroughly enjoyed. Great interest was taken in the ceremonial rehearsal of the contest quickstep by the Port Nicholson Band, which earned the warmest commendation of Colonel St. J. Beere, D. 5.0., and Captain V. Sugden, N.Z. Staff Corps, who carried out the inspection. The Young New Zealand League made its first public appearance, aud the march of the fifty boys headed by their drum and bugle band, an eight-year-old drum-major leading them on, was greatly enjoyed by the onlookers. Evidently the visit of the Young Australia League to the Dominion has been of some effect. There was a grand parade iu .which the Scottish societies took part and the Wellington Municipal Trainways Band lent its assistance; while the members of the Jenkins Physical Culture Studio in fancy dress, and the dancing of pupils of Miss Hazel Martin, provided items of absorbing interest. An excellent programme of varied items made up an afternoon’s -entertainment that was much appreciated. Ou the whole, the object of the campaign was achieved, but not without a great deal of hard work and worry on tlie part of the organiser, Mr. Alfred Buckley, and his helpers. The whole scheme was practically Mr. Buckley’s, and it lias cost him many a night’s sleep and heaps of anxiety, so that he well deserves that friendly appreciation and tribute to his wholeheartedness which his energy deserved. There was also a gathering at tho Basin Reserve on Sunday afternoon, and when the hat went round a good sum was realised. Everything went like clockwork, and the Port Nicholson men are under a debt of gratitude to all who laboured so strenuously on their behalf. If Mr. Drew and his band, succeed iu retaining the cham-

pionship, their supporters will feel wel repaid.

Artillery at Gardens. As there have been no band performances in the Wellington Botanical Gardens for a long time, the Artillery Baud has decided to give an open-air concert there to-morrow afternoon at 3 o’clock. Captain T. Herd, V.D., will conduct. An attractive programme has been prepared, and as the funds of the band are very low, a silver coin collection will be taken up, when it is hoped tlie public will give as liberally as possible.

Sydney Contest. The results of the Sydney Contest, which was held recently, have just come to hand, and are as follow:— Selections —A grade: Hamilton Citizens (J. J. Kelly) and Bondi Beach Concert (A. H. Baile), equal, 1; 55th Battalion (Chas. Congleton), 3; Leichhardt District (R. Phillips), 4. B grade: Lidcombe (E. P. Kerry), and Westmead Old Boys (H. Robinson), equal, 1, C grade: Lidcombe (E. P. Kerry), 1; Westmead Old Boys (H. Robinson), 2; Crow’s Nest Citizens (L. C. Bragg), 3. The message did not mention the judge’s name, but when the contest was being arranged it was generally understood that Mr. Fred Haines would adjudicate.

A Friend in Need. It may interest readers of this column to know that had the campaign to send the Port Nicholson Silver Band to the Dunedin Contest proved abortive, the secretary of the New Zealand Brass Bands’ Association (Mr. John E. Osborne) had guaranteed the expenses of the band in the southern city provided it could raise the boat and train fares. Happily the proceeds of the demonstration at the Basin Reserve last Saturday, together with sums already in hand, brought the finances up to the required mark, and there was no need to call on Mr. Osborne to make good his guarantee. But the bandsmen will not readily forget his kind offer, which was a very substantial proof of the fine spirit permeating the bands of the capital city.

Adjudicator Arrives. The adjudicator for the Dunedin Contest (Mr. Frank Wright, L.L.C.M., L.A.8.), arrived at Wellington by the Wanganella on Tuesday, and was met by leading officials of the N.Z.8.8.A. and Press representatives. To an interviewer he said that band matters in the Commonwealth were flourishing, and he was keen to hear the best bands in New Zealand, which would be competing at Dunedin. With Messrs. Osbornd and Patchett he left for the south on Wednesday night by the Rangatira.

Hard Tinies For All. ' Judging from newspaper reports, the Wellington bands are not the only ones to bewail the existing depression. Canterbury and Southland have experienced the same financial difficulty as the Capital City has, and appeals to the public have been frequent and insistent. Of course Wellington had a bigger obstacle to surmount than the others in the form of a sea voyage added to railway journey. However, bands generally can console themselves with the reflection that the apathy of the public is not to blame solely for the depleted state of their coffers, but mostly to the prevailing hard times. And there are indications that the worst is about over. <

Leicester Band Festival. The next festival in connection with the Leicester (Eng.) Brass Bands’ Association has been fixed for March 4, and is expected to be the biggest ever held in that centre. At the annual meeting of the association it was stated by the chairman that the festival was increasing in importance year by year, and the fact that £l5O had been handed to the Royal Infirmary by the secretary showed that it had been an important adjunct to the charitable life of the city. Olla Podrida.

“How did you get that bump on your head?” “Playing a saxophone.” “Jn front of somebody’s house, eh?” “No, in front of a trombone player.” Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, of New Plymouth, who has been appointed adjudicator at the Mackay (Q.) Contest, which takes place at Easter, expects to leave for Australia on March 31. He will be accompanied by Mrs. McLeod. It is not generally known on this side of the Tasman that Mr. Frank Wright, who is adjudicating at the Dunedip Band' Contest, is a hymn composer, among his works in this connection being “St. Melba,” “Vale Mater,” and “St. Sara.” Leading musicians say that his compositions will be appreciated by bands who are on the look-out for new hymn tunes. They are beautifully blended, fine tonal studies, with rich harmonies.