MUSIC IN ENGLAND

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 18, 21 July 1926, Page 8

MUSIC IN ENGLAND

AN ORGANIST'S IMPRESSIONS

MR. MAUGHAN BARNHTC

RETURNS.

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

After a six months' tour, during which he had many interesting experiences, Mr, Maughan Barnett, City Organist, formerly of Wellington, has returned to Auckland. He is now in good health, and has absorbed a wealth of knowledge which should be of great value to the city. In New York, Mr. Barnett said he heard the - Philharmonic Orchestra, under Furtwaehgler, in a programme which included Brahms's "Fourth Symphony" and works of Beethoven and Mozart. The performance was most finished,, but Beemed to lack warmth. The delicacy of the woodwind was an outstanding feature. He also heard. "The Barber of Seville"'at tb,e Metropolitan Opera House,: with GalliCurci as Rosina. The part suited the noted prima donna, but the outstanding performance was that of Malatista as Dr. Bartolb. In Boston he heard a concert by' the People's Symphony Orchestra.

"I arrived in England at the wrong time for music, but was fortunate in hawing a few orchestral concerts at the Queen's Hall, conducted by Beechain and Wood," continued Mr. Baruett. "The programmes, included a number, of modern works, and of these I was particularly interested in the Third Symphony, 'The Divine Poem,' by Scriabin, the Russian composer," whose music was the subject of much-controversy when it was first introduced in England. This symphony. with- its beautiful themes and orchestration,, was. a contrast to the grinding harshness of Honegger's 'Pacific, 231/ in which the-composer strives to express the feelings inspired by the sight of the,acr tivity of "a powerful engine. This piece seemed to me an example of how unmusical" some of the ultra-modern stuff can be. ,'" . . "The popularity of Bach's music is one of ftio most important of recent. mu>ical developments in England," Mr. Barnett said. - "It is noticeable not only in the programmes of organ recitals, but w«s strikingly illustrated by the enormous audiences attracted to the Queens Hall by' all the" Bach orchestral concerts conducted by Sir Henry Wood. The programme I heard included the six Brandenburg Concertos and the VioUn Con' certo'in A Minor, played by Miss Jelly Daraniji. The freshness, virility, and variety of the music, the appeal made by its rhythmical qualities, and.the fine playing of -an orchestra of artists, made the concert one of the most memorable in my experience." ' Mr. Bafhett was' particularly interested in organ matters, and during his short stay in England attended a number of organ recitals, and met a number of prominent organists and others notable in the music world, including Madame Rbsina Buck-mah~ai-d. her husband. Mr. Barnett gave recitals.. in the Central Hall, Westminster, in St. Stephen's, Walbrook, and'two recitals in the Leamington Parish Church. Other recitals were to have been given, but had to be abandoned owing ft difficulties regarding dates and the general striken Mr. Barnett said that organ music ■was very popular, and his recitals wer-. well attended.