The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1947. A Musician Comes Home.

Evening Star, Issue 26155, 17 July 1947, Page 6

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JULY 17, 1947. A Musician Comes Home.

Returning to-day to the town of llis boyhood after an absence of thirty years may be a .milestone in the life of Warwick Braitliwaite, but it is also an important event in the history of Dunedin, whose citizens are glad to welcome home, if only for a short visit, a man who left his native land to seek fame in music—-and found it. It is a frequent complaint that too many brilliant young New Zealanders leave the country and do not return. but even if Mr Braitliwaite’s stay in the Dominion will be short, it is nevertheless gratifying that he has coihe to give his countrymen an opportunity to see and hear him practising the career which .he lias chosen. . For a country that is yet young and that has offered lesser facilities for the study of music than the European capitals, New Zealand has produced an impressive amount of musical talent. Over a long period, it has sent abroad a surprising number of students, many of whom have done very well, but almost none of them has achieved greater eminence than Warwick Braitliwaite. The virtuoso soloist has his place in a select group among whom competition is fierce, but more than ever before this is the day of the orchestral conductor, and if he is successful he has the two-fold thrill ,of drawing music on a scale denied the soloist from ,a large band of players, and .of receiving the plaudits of a very wide public. Mr Braithwaite has travelled, a long way on . the road to fame as an orchestral conductor, and lie lias brought credit to the country and city of his youth. j ■ It is seldom that has the opportunity to welcome back a distinguished son, but it can be calculated to show its warm-hearted-' ness. Mr Braithwaite is* rightly being accorded civic honours tomorrow and citizens generally will join, with the Mayor in extending a welcome and ih ; expressing their pleasure at his return.