MUSIC AND THE MASSES

Evening Star, Issue 21231, 12 October 1932, Page 5

MUSIC AND THE MASSES

A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE FAMOUS VIOLINIST OVERTURNS THE TRADITION ■’ COMPLEX " An interesting musical personality who has been acclaimed the greatest living violinist in many respects, - Josef Szigeti, arrived in town by yesterday’s express from the nqrth for his Dunedin concerts, commencing to-night. With the great Hungarian artist were his accompanist, Prince Nikita Magalofi, and their pilot, Mr Hugo Larsen. “ Fear complex ” was the very apt manner in which Szigeti, in an interview, described the reason that prevents great music from capturing more and more devotees. There was a fear that the bearer would not understand it. It was a wrong attitude, but quite explicable, because of the technical tradition that had encased music—classical music. One should free ones’ mind from a lot of the jargon about what should he heard when listening to a certain work; one should be left receptive for what came to one’s ears and sensibilities. Let every man absorb the music and take his own perception of it. Moreover, let him he satisfied with Ills own perception. Don’t let him think there was but one approach to it, and above all he must not fear that he was missing that approach. “ If only people would acquire the music habit as they have the reading, the theatre, or other habits! 1 believe that in all crowds, such as assemble at sporting events, pictures, etc., there is a high percentage of potential musiclovers, only they don’t know it. If they would hear music without preconceived ideas each listener would find in what he heard at least one aspect that impressed, appealed, or entertained, and with the development of the habit taste would progress. “ In the same way that the crudities of the films have been overcome by the intelligence of the directors the listener’s taste will become richer and more subtle if only he gets the habit in time. Contrary to belief, not jazz, but the Victorian ballads, laboriously sentimental, have done the most harm to music by slowing its progress. On the other hand, jazz has raised the standards of efficiency in playing music, because jazz lias brought to popular music more colours, and therefore more care is needed in using them. For the layman’s purpose all that has to be realised of music is the emotional message that its composer has composed and gathered together in it.” Turning to radio in relation to music, the violinist expressed the opinion that if radio programmes wore properly directed they could be a tremendous help. Tlie 8.8. C. programmes had a big influence in England. Szigeti has no particular favourites among the composers from whose works he builds his programmes. He considers that only a matter of personal inclination, but be expressed gratification that the types of programmes ho had selected had met with universal approval. Acknowledged by brother artists and public alike on three continents as one of the greatest violinists, Szigeti has for the past decade occupied a unique position in the musical world. When only thirteen years of age he made his first public appearance at the Royal Academy, Budapest, and appearances in Berlin and Dresden followed, and later at the Queen’s Hall, London. For seven years he remained at Home touring the provinces, continually going back to London. Later he appeared with overwhelming success in Europe, while his fame spread to America and the Far East as well. His meteoric rise to an exalted position was almost phenomenal, and to-day he appears at the height of his fame. A BRILLIANT PIANIST. Although music appealed to him from early childhood, it was years before Prince Nikita Magaloff went into serious piano composition work. Ho spent years travelling in Europe and America while still a small boy, appearing in some places as a pianist prodigy. It was Rachmaninoff who heard him in Now York, and finding him unusually gifted strongjly advised his parents to concentrate oai his studios and send him to the Paris Conservatoire, whore he started hard and enthusiastic work to finally graduate with first honours. Fortune favoured the prince when ho met Szigeti, with whom he has toured for several seasons throughout the world, everywhere with brilliant success. The critics predicted for him a triumphal career, which has already begun iu a most encouraging way. It is interesting to record that the prince has composed extensively, and has lately achieved a piano concerto which is to he performed with orchestra next year in Europe and America.

RENOWNED CONCERT PROMOTER. “ I consnder it a personal triumph to have been, able to secure Szigeti while still in his prime.” said Mr Hugo Larsen, the young Danish-Australian concert promoter. He expressed his disappointment at not being able to persuade Rachmaninoff, the great pianist, to accept, an offer for next year, but it is cncounaging to learn that there is a strong possibility that Alfred Cortot will mate an extensive tour in 1933. In the near future also he hopes to arrange fur a joint appearance of Madame Suggia, the famous ’cellist, and Nicolai Orlcrff, the Russian pianist. He lias arranged for Peter Dawson to return in 1934. The popular baritone will then make Ills farewell tour, which will embrace Australia, New Zealand, South Africa .and Canada. Mr Larsen is said to resemble John Barrymore, the actor, but Hollywood is not claiming royalties from him for that. .