ORGAN MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 105, 5 May 1915, Page 10

ORGAN MUSIC

POPULARITY IN LONDON YOUNG NEW ZEALANDER'S SUCCESS. On a brief visit to New Zealand at present is Mr. Norman Collie, Mus. Bac, a son of Mr. E. Collie, of Newtown. Mr. | Collie is an old Wellington boy who went to England some 6£ years ago to study music. That his student career was successful is indicated by the fact that he is a Bachelor of Music, a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, a Scientiale of the Koyal Academy of Music, x and an Associate of the Royal College of Music. But he is something more than musically learned, he is a musician ; otherwise, while yet a very young man, he would not hold such an appointment as assistant organist at St. Margaret's, Westminster. St. Margaret's, it may be mentioned, is just at the door of Westminster Abbey, and is the official church of the Houses of Parliament. Lemare, who is known to all lovers of organ music, was its organist, the organ being built to his specifications. Ho was succeeded by Mr. Beginald GossCustard. one of the most famous of English organists and composers of organmusic. As assistant, Mr. Collie gives the recitals when Mr. Goss-Custard is away. He has also,' up to the present, been organist and choirmaster at St. Peter's Church, Maida Vale. Now he is taking a similar position at St. Luke's Church, Tunbridge Wells. There a new organ is being built to his specifications. While at Tunbridge Wells he will continue to act as assistant at St. Margaret's. Last week a representative of The Post had a short talk with Mr. Collio. Naturally the conversation quickly turned to musical topics. Organ recitals, Mr. Collie said, were very popular in London. At St. Margaret's they were given weekly during the winter and were always well attended. The church held about 1200 people, aud for the last recital of this year nbout two hundred people were turned away. There was no charge for admission, but a collection was taken up which realised a largo amount. Being church recitals the music was not exactly the samo as at hall recitals. Generally the plan followed was to give some lighter compositions with at least one good classical number, such as a Bach fugue. It was realised that tho people must not be educated against their will. Arrangements of orchestral nrusic were now proving very popular, such as the Wagnerian preludes, and even symphonies. Recitals were given at many otber churches — in the city churches, for instance, during the dinner hour — and were invariably well attended. One large universal-providing firm had built an organ in the restingroom of its premises and regular recitals were given there. Even at these recitals the music played was generally of & high standard. Mr. Collie was told, of suggestions for popularising the Wellington organ recitals by playing fantasia-s on popular operas, such as "The Bohemian Girl." "Well, I think you must draw the line somewhere," he remarked. "We find that the public are pleased with lighter music without playing operatic fantasias." An example of the programme at St. Margaret's was the * following : "Imperial March" (Elgar), "Pastorale" and "Piece Heroique" (Cesar Franckj, "Andante" from string quartette, Op. 11 (Tschaikowsky). "Toccata, Adagio, et Fuga in C Major (Bach), "Canzonet in E" and "Caprice in B' 1 (Bernard Johnson), overture "Fingal's Cave" (Mendelssohn). The reporter remarked upon the tendency in England to neglect English composers. "That has always been bo. to a certain extent," rejoined Mr. Collie. The old English composers for the organ, he added, were giving way to a more modern school, but the modern English were holding their own well in organ music. Hollins, Lemare, and others were quite in the front, and England, being the home of the organ, had always had many capable players. The new Russian school was not heard to afl;' great extent on the organ. It was practically purely .orchestral, developed throiigh the ballet, but by no means tawdry. The Russian ballet was on a grand opera' scale, and of the same standard. That it was much appreciated in England was proved by the success of Bcecbam's season at Drary La,ne. Being comparatively recent, however, not many of tho compositions had been transcribed for the organ. Mr. Collie will be in New Zealand for about three months.