MUSIC AND RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 17

MUSIC AND RECORDS

(By

C.J.M.)

Stray Notes. Mr. Gordon Carder lias beeu appointed conductor of the Auckland Aeolian Orchestra for the coming year. Musical circles in the Dominion are displaying much interest in the appearance in New Zealand of the Adelaideborn boy wonder, Philip Hargrave, whose playing of the piano is described as “truly marvellous.” Philip, who is only ten years of age, will be one of the attractions provided by' the enterprising firm of J. and N. Tait, who have brought so many musical celebrities to these shores. On account of his extreme youth, Philip will not be unduly tar-d, and will only give twenty recitals in Australia and New Zealand.

“A Song of Cheer,” the words and music of which are both by Mr. Barry Coney, a well-known Auckland musician and composer, has been published. This composition is dedicated to the Auckland (New Zealand) Rotary Club, and the simplicity of the words, with their altruistic and uplifting sentiments, combined with the easy compass of the music, make it (states an Auckland musical commentator) peculiarly well suited to be sung nt meetings where a knowledge of music is not to be expected so much as a capacity to express beautiful thoughtsA New Zealander’s Success.

Decided musical success has been achieved by the New Zealand girl Dulce Metz, of Christchurch, who has adopted the stage name of Julie Russell. She studied the piano with Ernest Empson and singing with Madame Alice GowerBurns. Musical enthusiasts advised further study, and she studied in Australia under the direction of the late Danie Nellie Melba, the outstanding feature being the personal supervision and teaching of Dame Nellie herself. Miss Russell has made successful appearances in grand opera, having played roles with the J. C. Williamson Imperial Grand Opera Company in 1932, and .the Joseph Hislop Opera Company in 1931. She has broadcast successfully French, Italian, Hebrew, German, and English songs from stations 3LO and 3AR, Melbourne. On a visit to New Zealand shortly she will probably appear at some picture theatres.

Mr. John Brownlee's Tour. News received states that Mr. John Brownlee has had overflowing houses in Dunedin, and a tremendous success. He will be in Christchurch for Easter, and then returns to Dunedin for two special oratorio performances of “The Creation” and “Elijah” on April 26 and April 29 respectively. He will give a special concert with the Symphony Orchestra in Wellington on May* 4, and Raymond Lambert, the talented pianist, will appear in a pianoforte concerto on thiit occasion.

A Chilean Pianist. Regarding the coming visit of the people's favourite, Peter Dawson, Mr. Stringer has received information that the famous singer will be accompanied in his New Zealand tour by a young Chilean pianist, Tapia Caballero, who but recently took London by storm with his recitals of modern and classical music. Caballero will introduce to New Zealand audiences a good deal of modern music, and with the distinguished singer, should provide musical entertainment of outstanding merit. Recorded Music.

Some attractive Elister records are listed in recent issues. Among them are a very fine recording by Florence Austral (soprano) of Collingwood’s arrangement of “The Vesper llynin," and “Alleluia.” The commemoration of Christ rising again from the dead has inspired poets and musicians to paeans of jubilation. In this favourite “Alleluia—Let Joyful Praise to Him Ascend”—there is a fervent .joy, an exultation, which finds in Florence Austral its ideal interpreter. “The Vesper Hymn” tells of the sounds of a hyniu borne softly over the waters. (H.M.V.)

The choir of St. Margaret’s, Westminster, presents a composite record depicting Easter morning and evening. Here we have the joyful peal of bells, the choir of St. Margaret’s singing "Jesus Christ is Risen To-day”; those are the impressions of the first side. And from the evening service—the “Nunc Dimmitis” and "Glory to Thee My God this Night,” gloriously sung by what is universally acknowledged to be one of the finest choirs in the world. (H.M.V.) "Sacred Memories,” recorded by the Westminster Choir, introduce “O Rest in the Lord,” "Oh. for the Wings of a Dove," “Is Not His Word Like n Fire," “In Native Worth,” “The Heavens are Telling,” “With Verdure Clad,” “There Where Sin and Doubt.” "If with All Your Hearts,” "See the Conquering Hero Comes.” The solos are sung with remarkable beauty and feeling, and the choruses are magnificent in their bigness. (H.M.V.) Essie Ackland, contralto, bas an attractive Easter bracket in Carey's “Nearer My God to Thee,” and Gounod's "There Is u Green Hill.” Essie Ackland is heard at her best singing sacred songs with organ accompaniment. Here the splendid richness and fullness of her voice are shown to the best advantage. (H.M.V.) Stainer’s “Crucifixion,” sung by the Trinity Church Choir, Loudon, with Richard Crooks (tenor) and Lawrence Tlbbett (baritone) as soloists, makes an excellent set of six double discs. (H.M.V.)

BANDS AND BANDSMEN (By "Kneller Hall.”) Next Championship Contest. The date for the next championship band contest has not yet come before the executive of the N.Z. Brass Bands’ Association for decision. As the annual event is held alternately in the North and South Islands, and the South Island has just had its turn at Dunedin, the North Island will automatically be the venue for the next fixture. It is understood that Wanganui is keen on having the 1934 contest decided in its favour, but there are certain to be other claimants for the fixture. However, it seems rather early yet to discuss the next contest, though the N.Z.8.8.A. will probably have to consider the matter in the near future. In order not to have any undue haste later on in the year, the association should lose no time in inviting applications from centres desirous of holding the next championship contest. Commonwealth Band. Matters in connection with the proposed Commonwealth Band, which Is to make a tour of the world shortly, have been moving slowly. The question of finance, the Christmas and New Year vacations, the prevailing depression, the all-important subject of personnel, in addition to the hundreds of details which have to be gone into, have all tended to delay the materialisation of the project. Something definite is due very soon, and in the meantime it will interest bandsmen of the Antipodes to know that Mr. A. H. Baile, of Sydney, has been appointed conductor, and Mr. Frank Wright, of Ballarat, has been selected as solo cornet and deputvconductor. Mr. Baile is at the top of the ladder as a conductor and adjudicator, and Mr. Wright has a reputation as an instrumentalist—and especially as a brilliant cornettist—that extends beyond the Commonwealth. It is expected that the personnel of the band will be announced any day,-after which a tentative date of departure will be fixed ou. The Judge’s Box.

There has been some discussion in the south as to the position an adjudicator should occupy at a baud contest, and a few interesting facts have come to light.. When the late Mr. Christopher Smith judged at the Dunedin contest some years ago, the judge’s box was not placed in a rear part of the gallery (as stated by a newspaper correspondent), but in a front portion of the circle; and Mr. Smith, who was widely known as a musician of exceptionable ability, expressed himself us thoroughly satisfied'with the position, which seemed to fit in with the acoustics of the Dunedin Town Hall. It was rather puzzling to read that one conductor preferred the organ stool as being the best position for, as a writer remarked, that is the worst place of all from an acoustic point of view, as metal pipes have no absorbing power whatsoever, and there wortld be obviously a tremendous amount of “iuterference" at that point. The Crystal Palace adjudicators are placed in approximately the same positions from the bands as the late Mr. Christopher Smith was when he judged at Dunedin, and the latter, when asked if he could hear the bands distinctly, answered “Perfectly.” Of course, every hail has its own acoustic traits, and the position that Mr. Halliwell occupied when he judged at Wellington in 1927, and Mr. Kelly in 1932. was not to be taken as a guide by Mr. Frank 'Wright, to whom the contest committee very wisely left the choice of the judge’s box.

The Mouthpiece. Mr. Frank Wright has something to say of interest to cornet players:—’’A matter which I think should be the cause of some concern is the prevalence of the shallow type of American mouthpiece which seems to be almost unanimously accepted by New Zealand cornet players. If I were asked for an opinion as to the reason of the vast majority of Dominion eornetists producing such a poor, unmusical and thin tone I should say that it was largely due to the use of these shallow American mouthpieces. Why cornet players discard the English mouthpieces on which golden-toned players as Percy Code and Bill Ryder made their reputations is difficult to see.”

On Phrasing. To phrase well means to say or express clearly what one has to say or play. Many bandsmen have an erronous idea that the subject of "phrasing” ends with a knowledge of when and where to take breath. That is but the beginning of this most important subject. Phrasing, in its fullest sense, means interpretation, and it is one of the most fascinating and important studies in music. One cannot very well express himself correctly in any particular language without some knowledge of the grammar of the language spoken. Neither can one express the language of music without some knowledge of the essentials on which good phrasing depends.