DUNN PIANIST’S SUCCESS

Evening Star, Issue 21138, 25 June 1932, Page 6

DUNN PIANIST’S SUCCESS

mr Warwick braithwaite ABROAD CGNDUOTfHG NATIONAL ORCHESTRA OF WALES By a recent mail word was received hero of Mr Warwick Braithwaile, a Dunedin pianist who went to England before the war to complete his studies. After a term with ihe 8.8.0., Mr Braithwaito went to Wales, where he conducted the National Orchestra, of Wales, and then to Edinburgh, where he distinguished himself as a director of music on the conceit platform.

In an edition of the Wales ‘Nows’ tho following appeared:—-“The second concert of the Throe Valleys Festival at Mountain Ash was mainly orchestral, tho choir becoming a part of the audience. In a Welsh music gathering this is unusual, but a welcome and an instructive novelty. “Mr Warwick Braithwaite, tho conductor of tho National Orchestra of Wales, who has just returned from a

holiday on the Continent following his recent illness, was given a warm reception on taking the rostrum.” Evidently at one time the National Orchestra of Wales was threatened with disbandment because of lack of financial support, but Mr Braithwaite found a solution to the problem. The ‘News Chronicle’ reports:—“Music lovers in Wales are at least in possession of a concrete scheme for saving the orchestra, it was propounded by Mr Braithwaite, who laid aside _ his baton for a few minutes last night while he addressed a crowded concert audience at the City Hall Assembly Rooms.

“As Mr Braithwaite remarked, the public have not hitherto been confronted with any definite proposals for ensuring the continuance of the orchestra, and his simple and direct appeal to the audience mot with an instant response. The orchestra takes £14,000 a year to maintain, of ■which the 8.8. C. will in future guarantee half, leaving the remainder to ho found by the Welsh public. “Air Braithwaite’s proposal is simply a request that subscribers should he divided into four different sections—‘Associate members’ of the National Orchestra of Wales, who would contribute one guinea yearly; ‘donors,’ who would give £5 annually; ‘ patrons,’who would give a sum over £5; and 1 guarantors,’ who would give oven larger sums. The first list of associate members was thou enrolled. Within the next fortnight the campaign will bo carried right through South Wales, wherever the orchestra has been heard, and there is every indication that it will meet with success.” Commenting on his ability as a conductor, the ‘Weekly Scotsman’ said: —“ It was a pleasure to welcome to Edinburgh a British conductor of such merits as Air Warwick Braithwaite. A finer performance of the Elgar ‘ Second Symphony ’ than that given has possibly not been hoard in Edinburgh.” The ‘Evening News’ (Edinburgh) proclaims him as “a distinguished conductor,” anti the Glasgow ‘ Bulletin ’ said that Mr Braithwaite showed himself at once a conductor with a lively And expressive manner.