NEW ZEALAND MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 185, 4 May 1936, Page 15

NEW ZEALAND MUSIC

Work of Composers Sung By Society GRAINGER’S APPRECIATION A fine programme of music by New Zealand composers was presented by a number of Wellington’s leading artists at the fifth meeting of the Original Composit’ n Group of the British Music Society, held on Saturday evening. The programme was varied and well balanced, and the quality of the works presented was evidence of the high standard of creative work being reached by New Zealand composers. Miss Valerie Corliss, leader of the group, commented upon the constructive element of co-operation which existed. "The fine spirit of interest and enthusiasm,” she said, “shown by performers in giving their services that these works may be heardi is evidence of the keen co-operation of professional and amateur musicians in regard to creative work produced by New Zealanders. It is gratifying, also, to note a keen appreciation on the part of listeners. People are joining the group in order to listen to the works of our New Zealand composers, and- this is one of the most encouraging signs of progress in the direction of creative work in music. Just as there must be readers of a nation’s literature, so must there lie listeners to a nation’s music, for_ full development to be eventually attained.” Miss Corliss read the following letter received from Percy Grainger;— “I want to say how much I admire the aims and methods of the New Zealand British Music Society in. fostering local composition. In my opinion it is not enough merely ‘to sit back’ and appreciate nil the beautiful music that comes to every country from abroad. It is not enough merely to receive; one must also give to music, and this, can only be done by each country providing its quota of the'world’s beautiful music. Composei . however gifted, cannot give of their best without the experience that comes of hearing their works actually performed. A picture is finished when it is painted ; a poem is finished when it. is penned. But a composition is not finished until it has been tasted in performance, perhaps rnnnv performances. “A society promoting performances of works bv New Zealand composers as the British Music Society is doing is giving true life to music in New Zealand, and the best possible inspiration to its composers. T wish the society all the good things that its high aims deserve.” . Miss Corliss referred to the gratifying way in which composers were responding to the group’s requests for new works. Several of the compositions presented during the evening wore specially written for the occasion. She announced that two grouns were to be represented in the presentation of the evening's programme: the string group (leader, Br. Keys) and flic song group' (leader. Mr. Roy Hili). The programme, which included interesting works for strings (solo and ensemble). voice (solo and ensemble), and pianoforte, was as follows:— Sonata for ’cello and pianoforte, composed bv Claude Haydon and played by Hamilton Dickson and Decima son; songs, (n) “’Tis Not Hnough. (b) “You Shall Have Love. O Darling," composed by Audrey Gibson Foster and sung by Anne Gilpin: concerto for pianoforte and orchestra (Mendelssohn), first moiement, solo pianist. Nora Gray, orchestra accompaniment arranged by Dr. Keys, plnved by members of the B.M.S. String Group; song. “At the Window,” composed by Beatrice Tombs (words by Robert Browning), and sung by Zell O'Knne; instrumental trio, composed by Eric Waters and played by Ava Symons, Hamilton Didkeon. Eric Waters; ia cameo, "Fisk Memory,” arranged by Clement Howe and given by “The Cameo Three (Molly Atkinson, Roy Hill. Clement Howe) pianoforte, nreludo in F sharp major composed by Frank Hutchens and played by Keith Picton: songs, (a) “Farewell,” (b) “Thoughts of Thee (words by Marjorie Willcocks), (c) “Joy," composed by Beatrice Tombs and sung bv Zell O’Kane: eihoral. "Who is Sylvia?” composed by Dr. Galway (Dunedin) and sung by members of the B.M.S. Song Group (leader. Mr. Roy Hill) ; vocal suite, (a) “Choosing Shoes.” (b) “The Babv Over the Way,” (c) “Fair Warning." from “Songs of Mischief.” composed by B. R. O'Brien, and sung by B. R. O’Brien: pianoforte, (a) Prelude in D flat, major, (b) Valse Triste, composed by L. D. Austin and played by Catherine Moncrielf: song, “The Mere,” composed by Mareelle D’Oreen (words by Johannes Andersenand sung by Herbert Seatou. Accompanists: Mrs. Gibson Foster, Mrs. O’Kane, Catherine Moncrieff.