MODERN MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 125, 22 November 1935, Page 5

MODERN MUSIC

MR. GRAINGER AND ORCHESTRA

Given more concerts of the type sponsored last night by the New Zealand Broadcasting Board, with Mr. Percy Grainger and the Wellington Symphony Orchestra as the chief participants, there would be no more complaints about the apathy of the musical public of Wellington. The big Town Hall was practically filled, all to the benefit of the Mayor's Metropolitan Relief Fund, and this large audience, as well as uncounted listen-ers-in, had presented for their enjoyment a musical treat of a type which must have been entirely new to many of them, the programme being one of modern international music. Of the appreciation of those actually present there was not a shadow of doubt, and it is improbable that many of those who were tuned in felt any desire to switch over to another station.' The programme was one composed entirely of modern orchestral music, a good proportion of it being Mr. Grainger's own work, although as a whole it covered a wide range of countries. Many of the items might be described as

"popular' in the sense that they were, understandable without any very deep knowledge of music. The programme opened with a Danish folk-song with the title of "Lord Peter's Stable Boy." This setting by Mr. Grainger was a very bright initial offering, Mr. Grainger taking the solo piano part, and Madame Evelyn de Mauny and Mr. Eric Waters being at the second piano, with full orchestra and organ. This was followed by what Mr. Grainger describes as his "free ramble" on a Bach aria. "Blithe Bells" it was called, and on the aluminium marimba Mrs. Grainger produced the melodious effect of sheep bells, harmonising beautifully with the orchestra. This was conducted by Mr. Grainger himself. For the next-orchestral item Mr. Leon de Mauny took the baton again, Mr. Grainger being at the piano. This was the latter's own composition "Handel in the Strand," familiar to many through the records. It is described as a clog dance for piano and string orchestra and happily combines, Handel's joviality and music hall melodies. The audience would have appreciated a repetition. Two settings of Scandinavian folk-songs by the modern Danish composer, Herman Sandby, showed the string orchestra at its best. These were "Song of Vermland," a Swedish air, and "Norwegian Bridal Dance," to both of which compositions Mr. Grainger pays high tribute. The full orchestra, conducted by Mr. de Mauny, then played Katherine Parker's "Down Longford Way," an Australian composer's sonorous tribute to her Tasmanian birthplace. An entire novelty for a New Zealand audience was the performance by the orchestra, with Mr. Grainger as solo pianist, of John Alden Carpenter's "Concertino." This modern American composer's music Mr. Grainger calls "typical of American music at its best. His. compositions, almost over-punctilious in the cleanliness and refinement of their craftsmanship, show those sharply contrasted moods of tender wistfulness and sparkling buoyancy that so often delight us in the arts of the new world.' Such a composition as "Concertino" undoubtedly needs to be heard more than once before it can be appraised at its full worth. As it was, it was remarkably interesting with its-hints of local colour in jazz idioms and with the fleeting Negro and plantation melodies. It finishes with a distinctly Spanish flavour. Another first performance in New Zealand was that of "To a Nordic Princess," composed by Mr. Grainser for his own wedding. The composer conducted and Miss Valeric Corliss was at the piano. Miss Ava Symons and Mr. William Haydock took the principal violin parts. Mrs. E Meier the viola, Mr. Claude Tanner and Miss Eudora Henry the 'cellos, and Madame Evelyn de Mauny the dulcitone and piano, with Mr. Laurence Haggitt at the organ. This thanksgiving song begins gently and melodiously upon a harmonic background furnished by the harmonium, swelling gradually until the full orchestra is employed. Working up to a climax, it then does down to a more tender mood. The final item on what can only be described as a remarkable programme, was something better known, namely Tschaikowsky s Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor." This was selected as an example of modern Eussian music at its best, and. with Mr. Grainger at the piano and Mr. de Mauny conducting the very responsive and understanding orchestra, it was a fitting climax to a memorable concert. Indeed, this was an outstanding musical presentation. The concerto has been heard here several times before when other famous visiting pianists have presented it with ,the orchestra, but it is open to doubt whether on any previous occasion has it caused such a furore. Mr. Grainger's genius and personality naturally was a contributing factor, but the orchestra rose to supreme heights too and thoroughly deserved the praise bestowed upon it by Mr. Grainger when acknowledging the prolonged applause which greeted him and the orchestra at the close. He remarked that it had been a pleasure to be associated with such a. keen, sensitive, and sincere musician and conductor as Mr. de Mauny and with his orchestra. Mr. Grainger was not allowed to leave the platform until he had given an encore. for1 which he chose his own arrangement of a 16th century Irish song. During the interval Mr. W. H. Bennett, on behalf of the Mayor, thanked the Broadcasting Board for its efforts on behalf of the Mayor's fund, also making an appeal for support for the Wellington Symphony Orchestra.