THOUGHTS ABOUT MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 21916, 31 December 1934, Page 2

THOUGHTS ABOUT MUSIC

& [By L.D.A.]

“ Music gives tone to the universe: viings to the mind; flight to the imagination: a charm to sadness: gaiety and life to everything.”—Plato.

Last week I was honoured by receiving an invitation to afternoon tea at the Royal Academy of Music with the principal, Sir John AUEwen, and staff. The visit was extremely interesting, as may be imagined, especially so because it coincided with the bi-weekly orchestral practice under Sir Henry AVood. Dr Stanley Alarchant, organist of St. Paul’s Cathedral, is also warden of the Academy, and he very kindly showed me all over the building, telling me much about the history of the famous musical seminary. The R.A.AI. has had a somewhat chequered career. Founded in 1822, it has more than once been on the verge of bankruptcy, and, indeed, but for the action of Air Gladstone when Prime Minister, in procuring a grant frdm.the Government, the institution would have been compelled to close down. Its history since that time, 1865, has occasionally become almost exciting. In the following year the Liberals were thrown out at the General Election, and one of _ the first acts of the new Administration was to discontinue the Government subsidy. m * * * The committee found itself at once on the horns of a shocking dilemma, and, all funds being exhausted, there seemed nothing else to do but shut the doors. This, however, was more easily suggested than accomplished, for, whenlegal opinion was taken, it was found that, according to the terms of the Royal Charter, granted in 1830, the Academy could not be closed without the consent of every member of the committee—a very wise provision as matters turned out, since otherwise we should probably have no R.A.AI. today. So, instead of closing its doors, the committee did a lot of hard thinking, with the gratifying result that we know now. From that momentous time the Academy has never looked back; in fact, ‘it has prospered exceedingly, despite wars, depressions, and other vicissitudes In 1868, on the return of Air Gladstone to power, the Government grant was immediately renewed, after which the number of students increased so_ rapidly that there has never since arisen any question of financial. stringency. Even at the present time, when*? the study of music is alleged to be jeopardised by radio and other mechanical agencies, the R.A.M. has about as many students as it can comfortably accommodate—the actual number being in the vicinity of 700. As far back as 1876 it became so overcrowded that additional room had to be sought, the adjoining buildings being eventually pressed into ’service.

But it was the appointment of Alexander Alackenzie as principal, in 1888, that really turned the tide, and under his guidance the R.A.AI. became the influential force it is to-day.

By the time the lease expired of the original buildings it had become urgently necessary to seek other and more commodious quarters, and in 1911 the Academy moved to its present site,. York Gate, Alarylebone road, the new edifice being formally opened a year later. Even this extra space has 1 been found insufficient, other rooms and a new concert hall having to be added in--1.926.

It was in this hall that I discovered Sir Henry Wood drilling the students’ orchestra last week, and thought what lucky persons they were to get, such expert tuition, for Sir Henry does not spare himself; he puts just the same vim into this work as when he rehearses the Promenade Concert Orchestra. There could be no better man for this job, and the students just adore him. He makes them work, blit the labour is sweetened by an acute sense of humour, and the hall often resounds with shrieks of laughter at the famous conductor’s witty sallies. He was in a particularly funny vein on the day of my visit, and I’m afraid there was more laughter than music. * ♦ ♦ .* In 1922. came* the centenary celebrations, during which a large amount of music was presented by distinguished past pupils of the institution. The present concert hall, already mentioned, has a seating capacity of nearly 1,000, being thus considerably larger than many Loudon public halls. It is a magnificent apartment, called the Duke’s Hall, and contains a splendid organ erected by Norman and Beard, presented to the Academy by a philanthropic lady in memory of her husband. The R.A.M., of which Sir John M'Ewen has been principal since 1924, is governed by a board of twenty directors and a committee of management consisting partly of professors at the institution and partly of well-known business men who place their services voluntarily at the disposal of the committee. A big staff of professors and sub-professors gives _ instruction in every branch of music, besides which there are classes for languages, .elocution, opera, dancing, drama, fencing, and deportment. Students cannot enrol for less than one year, nor can they enter for a single subject-only. The normal course is spread over three years, and all pupils receive an all-round musical education, i ' , * # )f * There are between sixty and seventy scholarships and exhibitions open to competition among students, and in this connection special mention must be made of the generous bequest late Mrs Ada Lewis Hill, who left' provision for no less than fifteen scholarships, five of which are awarded annually and are tenable for three years. Besides this, there exists a students’ aid fund, for the purpose of assisting impecunious talent. Public performances are given by the students every term, not only at the R.A.M., but in the Queen’s and other large halls, these functions including operatic and dramatic productions, often written by the students themselves, so that the scope for real talent is practically 'unlimited.

Judging from what I saw myself during my brief visit, the Royal Academy of Music is a very desirable place for the musically inclined of both sexes, and everyone there seems to enjoy life to its fullest. _ The atmosphere therein radiates happiness and contentment, and no wonder, with so courteous and competent a staff. Dr Stanley Marchant was kind enough to invite me. on taking my leave, to call upon him at St. Paul’s Cathedral, which I intend to do shortly, and—between ourselves—to. “ have a go ” on the cathedral organ if I get the chance. This will certainly be a novelty after having been restricted to • a small New Zealand organ for some years.