MUSICAL LUNCHEON

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 11, 13 July 1931, Page 11

MUSICAL LUNCHEON

ARTISTS ENTERTAINED

The luncheon given, at the Koyal Oak Hotel to-day by the president, vicepresidents, ana council of the Wellington Philharmonic Orchestra, to Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hambourg and Mr. and Mrs. Peter Dawson was notable for the representative gathering of well-known figures in the city's social and business life. Among those present were the president, Sir Michael Myers i (Chief Justice) and Lady Myers, the Hon. H. Atmore (Minister of Education), the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) and Mrs. Hislop, Sir, Harold Bcauchamp, Mr. 11.I1. B. Young, chairman of the council, and Mrs. Young, Mr. «Tohn Bishop, conductor of ~tlio orchestra, and Sir Johniand-Lady Luke.; •'■■;'••■■• ";•■ : ■

Sir Michael Myers said that it was neither-his'.intention nor desire to discourse upon any particular theme such as, for example,, music. Ho would be loth, to do that because he was' addressing an audience the members of which were all, he supposed, inoro or less, !mupcal,_ His duty, was a much more pleasant and congenial one.; It was in. a very few words to express to their, guests the piea,sure which was felt at their presence at the luncheon, and appreciation of their presence in New Zealand at all. ' Quite apart from the fact "that they were at the top of their profession, their presence was a great advantage just now^isince itigave New Zealanders.. something .to divert their thoughts from the tragedies of butter-fat and wool, and the attendant evils which the low prices brought in their train. (Laughter.) It was very gratifying to have a,rtists of their rank coming ■to New Zealand. Time was when locomotion was more difficult, and New Zealand seldom had the opportunity of hearing such artists, i ; Sir Michael ventured the suggestion1 that the time might come when. artists at Home -would be able to fulfil engagements in New Zealand a week later. Mr.1 Bishop said that tho Dominion was very fortunate in being visited by such artists. The orchestra was. also fortunate in the co-operation it would receive from them on- 28th July, when Mr. Hambourg would play a concerto, and Mr.' Dawson would sing two arias. '.- , '

The toast of the visitors was honoured with enthusiasm.

,Mr. Hambourg, in reply, thanked the speakers for their cordial ana kindly remarks; •'and said that he had been more than agreeably surprised at the standard reached by the orchestra. After the rehearsal he had had he considered it was really a better.orchestra thaii the members themselves probably thought it was. Mr. Bishop was an excellent conductor., Mr. Hambourg related a.irumber of amusing experiences connected with his tours abroad, and expressed keen appreciation of the hospitality which had been accorded the party .in Wellington. ' Mi;. Dawson said that the warmth-of the welcome they had received in Wellington'; and the number of friencls they had made were remarkable. He had met many people belonging to his homo town, Adelaide, and had "swapped" school yarns with them. He had seen a great many singers and musicians come and go during his life, and the greatest \of all changes had be.en in the gramophones. He had sung into as many as fourteen machines at once. There was no modern method of reproduction in thoso days. Every record was a master and was sold direct to the public with the'result that if a song became at all popular the artist had to sing "the same song for as long as five flays on end. It was marvellous how his voieo had stood the strain. Looking back "oil those clays he wondered that l\o was now able to sing at all. Mr. Dawsou went on to deal with the improvements that hadbeen made iv gramophones and methods of roprodue-. tion, and related some amusing incidents connected with the early days of tho industry. In conclusion; ho voiced his appreciation of the , hospitality which he and the others had received while in Now Zealand. '.'■■■