TASTES IN MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 19062, 3 October 1925, Page 19

TASTES IN MUSIC

VISITING SINGERS’ VIEWS NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS. The opinion that programmes of vocal music tempered to the taste of American critics are also admirably suited to the requirements of New Zealand audiences is expressed by the noted singers, Mr Arthur 'Middleton and Mr Paul Althouso, who recently arrived from Sydney, with their accompanist, Mr Edward Harris, to commence a tour of the dominion, and who aro to give two recitals in Dunedin on Wednesday and Friday next. Commenting on Australian _ preference in musical works, Mr Middleton said that every class of composition favored by the average American audience could be depended on to appeal, to

Australians. Songs in German had apparently received every endorsement from competent Australian critics There was now no tendency to give scant hearing to original German compositions. Reference 'o national temperaments, as manifested in musical matters, was made by Mr Middleton and Mr Harris, who remarked that British audiences were generally more demonstrative than their American cousins. This was possibly duo to the fact that ilio Aineri cans were almost surfeited with vocal

music. In the larger Canadian, Australian, and New Zealand cities there was an obvious appreciation of good music. Mr Middleton said modern music of the extreme typo was not popular. Orchestras could make such works quite attractive to tho lay car, but tho vocalist hesitated to present them. Certain modern works were vividly descriptive, but Jacked emotional basis. Musical societies in New York were giving increasing attention to the less extreme modernist works. The compositions of Schubert were also very popular. In Adelaide Mr Middleton and Sir Althouse met two Australian composers of the modern school whose work was impressive and promising. It was not generally appreciated in that city, but its worth was obvious to competent critics.