RECORDED MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 20486, 17 May 1930, Page 21

RECORDED MUSIC

[By Erato.]

MAORI MUSIC. To individual ajid communities alike comes at some period a great opportunity ; neglect to use it is unwise; it may not occur again. The eyes of tho world were opened, if not_ wide, at least to the extent of observing that a great potential asset lay in the recording of native Maori art in song. Records were obtained of Dean Waratim and Ana Hato. Those immediately had a tremendous vogue. At that time Mr \V. A. Conner, of_ the Columbia Gramophone (Australasia), Ltd., was visiting Rotorua, _ and he became deeply impressed with the possibilities latent in the Maori voice, both as a commercial investment and as an advertising medium of the dominion and its people. On his return to Sydney, after consultation with his colleagues, it was decided that an organised effort should bo made to_ secure records worthy of tho Maori race. It was realised that nothing short of the very best, both in voices and mechanical reproduction, should be recorded and attempted. A most perfectly-equipped plant was assembled, and under the skilled direction of Mr R. Southey, was sent from Sydney to Rotorua. The reproduction of a voice is a highly technical business. Not only does it require great mechanical skill and organisation, but a profound knowledge of the human element, and tho quality, timbre, and balance of tho vocalist ■or vocalists. Volume is not so much needed as purity of tone and accuracy of diction. Tho dramatic quality of a voice is a factor that tells, and curiously tho reproduction of a song often reveals that which passes unnoticed in the . singer. The understanding of this factor in securing perfect recordation, and the knowledge that the Columbia Company would bo dealing with unacadenncally trained voices, Mr Gil. Dech, a musician of distinction and highly trained conductor, skilled in tho management of choral production, was attached to the party by Mr Dinner. The material to work upon had already reached a very high plane of excellence, under Mr M. H. Ilampsou, of Rotorua, and as choir, quartet, and part singers, had already made a more than local name for themselves. Tunohopu meeting house at Ohinemutu was found to be admirably suited for the work of recording. The acoustic properties of the building were excellent, and by judicious “damping” every trace of reverberating noise was eliminated. The Maori singers were found by Mr Conner and his staff singularly adaptable and receptive. They were also keen to learn and ready to profit by skilled instruction. The meeting house was turned into a studio and instruments set up. Mr Dech, assisted by Mr Hampson, witli local knowledge of singers’ personalities and capacities, worked steadily. With willing pupils, three sessions a day and a little over, they accomplished much. Already they have produced in perfected form many of the melodies to which local residents and constant visitors are accustomed, but refined and perfected. Ihe barmony is delightful, and with tho solo singing, when given to the audiences of tho world, will be a marvellous_ contribution to tho gaiety and melodies of nations. . There is in this enterprise—outside the commercial motif—an ethnological significance. When years have passed away and fusions of races have obliterated distinctions, the records will bear faithful and true witness of the Maori race, of its capacity for song and harmony, Tho giving to tho world of these records will forgo another enduring link in the chain which binds tho peoples of tho world together in a bond of sympathy, strong and enduring. Tho magic of song is the elixir of life, the upfifb which carries the soul to a higher plane, seasoning tho bitterness of its faro and smoothing the asperities of its way. Rotorua has a debt of gratitude to pay to this company of recording artists Their work will go far to advertise the fact that not only has Nature its marvels to present, but its people have traditions in song and story worthy of perpetuation through the ages, , '

A RECORDING ACHIEVEMENT. The His Master’s Voice gramophone record of the historic speech made by the King in the Royal Gallery of the House of Lords at the opening of the Five-Power Naval Conference is now released. This record was made by the use of a unique recording van, an assemblage of electrical appliances which for the occasion was connected bv wire with the microphone used by His Majesty. The recorded wax surfaces were sent to tho Gramophone Company’s factory at Hayes, Middlesex, where within three hours the sound waves on tho wax were transformed into metal matrices from which records were pressed and taken for the approval of the King’s representative. Although this was tho first endeavour to record in the House of Lords, tho result was so good that immediate permission was given to have the gramophone reproduction broadcast to the world tho same evening, and the effect was exactly as though the Royal orai.ol were speaking in person. , For this unique record a special decorative label in royal purple, gold, and scarlet has been prepared, with the Royal Arms of tho King at tho top. This record, R.R. 3290, is sold entirely for charitable purposes, the proceeds, at the suggestion of His Majesty, being devoted to tho “Wireless tor the Blind” fund.