THE SILENT CARILLON

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 34, 9 August 1933, Page 6

THE SILENT CARILLON

(To the Editor.)

''. Sir,—As one who has on numerous occasions enjoyed the music of the carillon, I have read with interest the letters that have recently appeared in your newspaper. Some of your correspondents are apparently -"musicophobes"; others so ignorant of the subject that they write of the "clangour of iron throats!" But that a large proportion of the public is arrayed on the opposite side is proven by the Very existence of the carillon, which is a "memorial to our honoured, dead,'contributed *to by. thousands who were not content with the silent memorial which received' Official sanction., •''.■" ■-. But my object in writing this letter is to make public a fact which, seemingly, is little kncrtvni When the practice-clavier arrived in Wellington, 16ng before the campanile was erected, a number of organists (professional and amateur) were invited by the Society of Musicians to devote their time and energy to the mastery of the clavier, so that, .when the bells were ready to be played, there should also be available players who woiild take their turn at giving carillon recitals—their services to be rendered gratuitously. Several of these gentlemen readily agreed to the proposal, and were practising regularly and making progress in- technique, when, without warning, a small. para: graph appeared in the local. Press announcing the appointment of Miss Watkins as carilloneuse. Naturally, these organists could scarcely be expected to continue practising in .order to prepare themselves for an eventuality which probably would not arise; but they had at least shown their willingness to devote time and labour towards preparation for future recitals, until it, appeared to be no longer necessary. ' ■. .' There can be no doubt that Miss Watkins, trained in- Europe, was better equipped for the post than'otir local, selftaught earillorieurs; but' : T; have ■ always thought it rather a pity that, while no hint was given that the labours of our organists were superfluous, there, was also-no hint that a time might come when their newly-acquired skill Could be utilised. What has the Carillon Society to say on the point? / V One of your correspondents pointed out that the bells can be played automatically. As a matter of fact, the public were invited to donate records for this purpose. Moreover, there is an ordinary keyboard electrically connected to the bells, which can be played by.any competent pianist. Surely, nil things considered, the "silent carillon" mutely calls for explanation.— I am, etc., ONE OF THE "HAD."