MUSIC AND RECORDS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 17

MUSIC AND RECORDS

(By

C.J.M.)

Stray Notes. Mr. W. If. Hixon, conductor of the Royal Cliristclnireh Musical Sviciety. who Ims been in England since last October, is expected back iu the Dominion early itt .May, lit >i> Edward German’s "Merry England" is Ihe opera selected by Hie Auckland Choral Society for ils first concert. » « » Air. W. J. Chartres has I’een reelected chairman of committee of the Royal Wellington Choral Union. 'The Nelson Harmonic Society’ will give its first concert of the season on May -I. Saturday, May 20. has been deliiiitely fixed by the Royal Wellington Choral Union for its production of "Elijah.” * <« Coleridge Taylor's "A Tale of Old Japan” is being performed next week by I lie Royal Christchurch Musical Society. Miss Mina Caldow. who is fit present <m a visit to Wellington, will l>o the soloist at the Auckland Male Choir concert on May 25,

The Mastcrton Choral Society will for its first concert of the 1933 season present Stanford’s “Revenge.” » • • ' For its second concert this season the Christchurch Harmonic Society, under Mr. Vie Peters, intends putting into rehearsal Vincent Wallace's "Maritana.” The Wellington Male Choir will presents its first concert on Thursday. May 18, under the conductorsliip of Mr. John Bishop. On Thursday. May 11. Wellington music-lovers will have a unique opportunity of hearing three of Europe's notable musicians in one programme at the Town Hall. This will be on the occasion of the first concert in New Zealand of the Spivakovsky-Kurtz Trio. This combination is not a trio in (he ordimiiy acceptance of Hie term. but. a union of soloists of the very first rank, each of whom had au established reputation in many countries. The trio came together at Hie request of Wolff and Sachs, the well-’tcnown Berlin entrepreneurs. who were anxious to replace the disbanded Thibaud-Cortot-Casals combination. The first season was an exiieriiniuitfil one in Holland, and was immediately successful. leading lo bookings throughout Germany and other European coiiiitries. The critic of the “Berliner Tttgelilatl" hailed the new trio as "a very notable addition lo the niin-iitil lite of Europe. . . . How well deserved was the enthusiasm which they aroused. One docs not know which to praise more, their brilliant, technique or their a mazing depth ot musical reeling. Each is a mast“r of his instrument, and wlmt a master! There will be three Spivakovsky-Kurlz recitals in the Town Hall —on May 11. 13. ami 15. A tour of the principal towns of both islands will follow. Recorded Music In the latest. H.M.V. recordings Marek Weber's orchestra continues its fascinating Johann Strauss potpourri (Nos. 5 and (1). and adds a fantasia from Lehar’s "Gold and Silver” waltz. The first four parts of the Strauss potpourri have already enjoyed great success. Parts five and six tire better still. They contain a further selection of the best known melodics, played with all Hie luscious tune that Weber lias it. hi.s command. The same Orchestra

plays the world’s most famous waltz "The Blue Danube.” Only men with Viennese blood in their veins can do full iuslice to these intoxicating tunes. If’you are tired of the familiar tunes, here’arc two H.M.V. trifles, light, as air which will surely take your fancy, played by this light combination—assisted by a wurlitzer organ—with a precision which would do credit to au American crack symphony orchestra. They are ideal for the odd moment when neither dance nor symphony is acceptable. The orchestra is I’aul Kauffman’s, and the numbers, “The Merry Teddy (Pata). and "Doll and Showman’ ’(Siedc). The London Symphony Orchestra, under Dr. Malcolm Sargeant has recorded a delightful fanlsia on sea shanties. introducing “Billy Boy.” “I 1 ire Down Below.” “Shenandoah.” "What Shall wo do with the Drunken Sailor,” "Sally Brown.” “Rio Grande.” “A Rovin’ ” “Tom’s Gone to Hilo.” "The Drummer and the Cook.” and “Whiskey Johnny.” Gibilaro’s arrangement is a • modeTof aptness and originality. How well these men. used to playing masterpieces of classical music, lend themselves to the humour of “Billy Boy.” “Wlmt Shall We Do With the Drunken Sailor” and “Whiskey Johnny”! And in Hie lovely “Shenandoah” and “Rio Grande” they have real melodies. (H.M.V.) -The Dame of the Seven Veils.” from “Salome” (Strauss), and in the odd side of this two double-sided set. Eiehein’s "Japanese Nocturne,” have been rendetl by the famous Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. One by one Salome easts from the veils she wear until. as the music develops to a frenzied climax, she casts the last veil from her and crouches palpitating at Herod's feet. The orchestral fabric is marvellously wrought, and the Philadelphia Orchestra’s rendering is as clear as a bell (H.M.V.) BANDS AND BANDSMEN (By “Kneller Hall.’’) Change of Name. The R.N.V.R. Band, which, under Mr. Harry Baker, for some years past has rendered good service to the citizens of Wellington, in addition to carrying out its otlieial duties, has adopted a new name rendered necessary by a slight reorganisation. Having been transferred from the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve to the Defence Department. it has been allotted a position in the New Zealand Forces, and will henceforth bo known as the Bund of the First Battalion, Wellington Regiment. Under its late name the band lias been very well supported by the public at its Sunday evening recitals. With the adoption of the new name, the band will continue to hold its recitals as in the past. Variety to the programmes will be introduced by the inclusion of items by some good talent Wanganui Garrison Band. Mr. Tom Gray, conductor of the ■Wanganui Garrison Band, is doing well with his men, and under his baton the band is making splendid progress. At a recent recital in the local Opera House, the band gave a very fine rendering of the contest selection, “Berlioz,” a work that calls for the greatest concentration and skill in musicianship. The players were in excellent form, and the rendering of the selection was enthusiastically received. "The fine solo work and accompaniments, together with the rich organ-like tone produced." remarked a critic, "gave evidence that the band is maintaining good traditions.” At the same concert Bandsman Owen Williams, champion euphonium player of the Dominion, received an ovation for his finished rendering of the solo, with variations, of “The Gipsy’s Warning.” It was unfortunate that the band was unable to attend the Dunedin Contest, as most of the other prominent bands of the Dominion were present, and it would ' have been interesting to see how the bandsmen of the river city, despite the changes in conductor of recent years, had kept up their standard of playing. i Jupp's Silver Band. At the forty-fifth annual meeting of Jupp's Silver Band, held recently, there was a good attendance of members, at which Mr. AV. Jupp presided. The report referred to the work of the past year, and hopes were expressed that the baud's activities would continue to receive the support they deserved. Mr. Jnpp. the veteran conductor. was congratulated by the secretary. on behalf of the members, on ntI taining another year as conductor, ami suitably responded. Messrs. Ahern ami AV. S. Jupp were re-elected seere- ' tary and treasurer respectively, referI enee being made to the services these bandsmen had rendered in their respective capacities for many years past.. Tlie patron, president, and vice-presi-dents wore elected subject to their acceptance of the positions, and a vote of appreciation was passed, on the motion of the chairman, to these gentlemen for their assistance during the year just ended.