A CENTENARY CELEBRATION

Evening Star, Issue 19520, 30 March 1927, Page 10

A CENTENARY CELEBRATION

The Music Circle of tlio Women’s Club may aptly be described as “a live wire,” and it was only to re expected that its committee should de--cide to celebrate the centenary of Beethoven’s death. Miss White (chairwoman of the circle) opened the evening by giving a short outline of the musician’s life, and, more important, showed how England, far from meriting the reproach of being unmusical, showed itself, through the Royal Philharmonic Society, Beethoven’s firm friend. Beethoven, born in 1770, began his musical studies at the mature ago of four; at eleven he gave a concert tour, and at fourteen was appointed second Court organist. When ho was about twenty-two ho visited Vienna, which not long after became his home. A very few years later the tragedy of deafness loomed on the horizon, and Beethoven was doomed to he unable to hear his own immortal works. It was about this time, too, that began the intimacy between English musicians and the German, for in 1817 Thomas Broadwood met Beethoven in Vienna, and on his return he sent the composer one of his (inn’s pianos. It is interesting to note that Beethoven, in sending a letter of thanks in 1818, promised to compose music with it, a promise ho fulfilled j,y writing his two last sonatas at its side. Meanwhile, possibly as a result of Mr Broadwoocl’s visit, the Royal Philharmonic Society, which had already performed since 1813 many of Beethoven’s works, now sent to him asking him to come to London and bring with him any new MS. ho had, guaranteeing him 300 gs, an offer which bad health prevented from being accepted. However, in 1822, Beethoven was given £SO for the MS. of his ‘ Ninth Symphony,’ which he autographed and dedicated to the society, still the proud possessor of this priceless work. Various schemes for helping Beethoven financially fell through, and it was not till the year before his death that he took advantage of the society’s generous offers of a benefit concert. In 1827 he asked if former proposals would hold good, in reply to -which £IOO was immediately sent, with the promise of a concert, at which the

‘ Tenth Symphony ’ was performed. Beethoven, his heart full, of gratitude for the practical sympathy shown him in his poverty and ill-health, said not long before he died “ God bless the British people.” This society is still in existences and only last week gave a wonder festival in memory of Beethoven at the Albert Hall.

Miis White then informed those present that the Music Circle was'having a marble bust of Beethoven sent out to give to the club: meanwhile a small plaster one was used for the occasion. The next item was the official opening of the Rogers grand piano by Mrs Howitson, the . fine instrument being used for the programme that followed, composed entirely of Beethoven’s works. The first item was ‘ Creation’s Hymn,’ sung by Mesdames Wakefield Holmes, Evans. AVilson, Misses Wilkinson. Twhigg, Bcntham, Sawers, and Fowler. This was followed by two songs by Mrs Evans, a portion of a sonata by Mrs Campbell, an arietta, ‘ln Qucsta tomba,’ by Mrs F. Carr. The tour de force was the ‘ Piano Concerto. No. -V in C minor, by Miss Mary Frazer, with orchestral effects by Miss Doris Ramsay. It is safe to say that nothing approaching this has ever been heard in the club, and the applause at the end was hearty and prolonged. Miss White acted as accompanist throughout the evening. In June tho various music societies of Dunedin, under the auspices of the Society of Musicians, will give an evening to tho master’s works at His Majesty’s,