A RICH FUTURE FOR MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 81, 30 December 1935, Page 10

A RICH FUTURE FOR MUSIC

Visiting Professor’s View RETURN OF CHRISTCHURCHBORN PIANIST Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, .December 29. A firm belief that music- in NewZealand aud Australia has a rich future is held by Professor Frank Hutchens, professor of music nt the Sydney Conserve torium of Music. Professor Ilutchess, who is visiting Christchurch, where he was born, and received his early musical training, lias held his present position at the eonservatorium since it was founded 11 years ago. It is several years since Professor Hutchens was last in Christchurch. Aflei studying for six years at the Royal College of Music, London, .he toured New Zealand, giving recitals, and later visited the country as solo pianist with the New South Wales State Symphony Orchestra, under Mr. Henry Verbruggben. More recently he was in the Dominion witli the wellknown violinist. M. Toseha Seidel. The New South Wales State Symphony Orchestra, said Professor Hutchens, bad had a great influence on the development of music in New Zealand, and was doing valuable work iu Australia. Increasing Reciprocity. Commenting on musical relations between Australia aud New’ Zealand, lie said that he had noticed au increasing reciprocity that was chiefly the result, he thought, of broadcasting. It -was very satisfactory that a number ,of Australian artists had visited New Zealand aud that New Zealand musicians were being given an opportunity to show their talent in the Commonwealth. Professor Hutchens was enthusiastic about the progress of orchestras iu Sydney. The orchestras iu that city were definitely improving, he said, and there was an abundance of talent. The Australian Broadcasting Company had an excellent orchestra, aud the eonservatorium’s orchestra under the director, Dr. Edgar Bainton, was worthy of high praise. It was a matter of some pride to people in New South Wales that the eonservatorium orchestra was the only State orchestra in the British Empire. The result of the conservatorium’s activities was to be seen in the number of excellent young musicians with orchestral experience graduating from the institution. Dr. Bainton would shortly visit New Zealand. “I have often hoped that New Zealand would have a eonservatorium,” said Professor Hutchens, “but I am aware of the many difficulties that face its establishment. The chief difficulty is geographical. It is a matter of finding a suitable central point, and the claims of several cities would have to be considered. ’That problem did not present itself in New South Wales. For an educational institution the Sydney Conservatorium is financially justified, aud I can see no reason why a similar institution should not be successful in this country.” A Rising Standard. Discussing musical appreciation, Professor Hutchens said that the standard of performance and musicianship had risen so definitely—the result, no doubt, of the gramophone and broadcasting—that there was no room for the secondgrade performer, and the public was demanding a much higher standard. Although it might seem strange, be said, the number of people desiriug to study music was again increasing, aud proved that there were many people who were seeking some form of selfexpression. He could see that music would play a.stilt greater part iu absorbing increased leisure time in the future. A valuable feature of broadcasting and the gramophone, he said, was that it, was absorbing music at a tremendous rate. It was not possible to continue to broadcast the works of tlie old masters and of the leading modern composers, because the public was demanding variety. Thus, he said, opportunities were being made for the creative artist. In this way broadcasting was developing strongly the progress of music. Apart from bis solo work and teach ing, Professor Hutchens has taken a deep and growing interest in composition, in which he has been encouraged by such men as Dr. Bainton and Mr. Alfred Hill, who can justly claim to be the leading exponents of Maori legend and folk lore in music. Professor Hutchens has written 10 violin anfi piano compositions, and some larger works have been played iu London. AL Benno Moisewitch, the eminent pianist, honoured him by giving a recital which included a toccata for the piano which Professor Hutchens composed. Professor Hutchens hopes to find the inspiration in this country for a piano concerto.