“Music Memories”

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 302, 17 September 1936, Page 13

“Music Memories”

Sir, —I have read with interest the articles written by Mr. G. A Kennedy, under the heading of “Music Memories, and was surprised at the very brief reference he made to what at the time was considered to be quite a notable event, namely the State concert given during the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in 1901. Like “Music Lover” 1 think it would have been a graceful act to have at least mentioned that the name of the conductor of this performance was the late Mr. W McLaughlin. There was quite an amount of excitement in musical circles when it was announced that the Government intended giving two State concerts, and was asking for programmes to be submitted. Eventually the Duchess of York (now Queen Mary), to whom the programmes had been submitted, intimated that her choice was the programme sent in by Mr. McLaughlin, and that there would be only one State concert. Naturally this was quite an honour for the favoured musician, and the question was repeatedly asked: “Who is McLaughlin?” Mr. McLaughlin had only recently arrived from the South Island, where he had forsaken the path of school-teaching to accept a position in the Civil Service, and was practically unheard of. in Wellington. At the conclusion of the performance Her Royal Highness shook hands with Mr. McLaughlin and congratulated him upon the success of the concert. Personally, I consider Mr. McLaughlin one of the finest musicians we have had in our midst. He did not join, the ranks of professionals, but loved his art for art’s sake. At the early age of eight years the people of Adelaide were so impressed with his wonderful renderings of Chopin's and Beethoven’s compositions that they asked permission of the lad’s father (the late James McLaughlin, BA % principal of a boys’ college at the time) to send, him to Europe at their expense, but the father would not consent to this course. Mr. McLaughlin was not only a very fine pianist and accompanist, but he was also a most capable conductor, and a good organist, being at different times conductor and/or organist at St. Mary of the .Angels’ and St. Joseph’s churches. He was also conductor of the orchestra for some time at the Orphans’ Club. I wish that some abler pen than mine, could have done justice to this fine musician’s abilities, but I felt that at least I could give some more particulars of the State concert than those given by Mr. Kennedy. There are few musicians who have so freely given their services to the cause of charity as the late Mr. McLaughlin (or “Mac” as he was more often affectionately referred to), and many of us will cherish pleasant memories of this genial and kindly-disposed musician.—l am, etc., HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DU®. Wellington.