WORLD OF MUSIC.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 28 June 1924, Page 14

WORLD OF MUSIC.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Two very interesting and instructive addresses and demonstrations have been given this week by Miss Maula Hooker to music teachers in Hawera. teachers who have attended have expressed their appreciation of the way in which Miss Hooker handles her subject and the great value of the demonstrations, which show so clearly the difference between artistic and mechanical playing. The addresses enable those heating them to gain the most up-to-date knowledge of the art, and many points of value to teachers are thus- given. __ On Monday evening Mr L. fcL. Goddard, L.A. 8., will give another organ recital at the Presbyterian Church, when he will present a programme ot great variety and interest. The recitals whirl], Mr Goddard has given from time to time have enabled many lovers of mosio to hear some of the best compositions for the organ and appreciate the beauties of the instrument. It is hoped that there will be a large attendance at Monday’s recital.

Miss Betty Sturrock wrote a very interesting letter to her parents by the last. mail. Her interviews with her master were very interesting and encouraging, and his complimentary remarks upon the sound tuition which she received before she left New Zealand reflect great' credit upon her father, to whose careful methods and enthusiasm Miss Sturrock owes a great deal. Mr Walter Fennell, in letters received in Hawera, also writes keenly about London and the encouraging reception which the teachers have given him. People of Hawera and district will follow with keen interest the progress of both these talented musicians. . The Operatic Society continue to make good progress with their selected work, “Our Miss Gibbs.” It will he remembered what an outstanding attraction it was when brought to New Zealand a few years ago. Honorary n\emhers and the public will look forward very keenly to the performance. Mr Matthew Newberry is steadily preparing foi- his recital early in September. He has made a name in Hawera. and district for his artistic playing, and as he intends to give works rarely heard here it is certain to he a gi-eat attraction. It is good to see a local artist so keen on really classical work.

Of community singing not much has been heard of late, but Auckland had a very successful hour on Wednesday last during lunch time, when in addition to popular songs they tried a harmonising of “Annie Laurie.” The song leader was Miss Nellie Bramley, and she was assisted by Rev. Jasper Calder, while Mr Barry Coney, the well-known pianist and baritone, was the accompanist; The sing was held in aid of some charity.

MUSIC IN NEW YORK

Mr. P. J. Nolan, formerly on the Herald staff here, after rather more than two years on Musical America, sailed by the Montcalm from Montreal on May 5 for Liverpool. The New Zealander and his wife are now 7 paying their first visit to London. Meantime our correspondent sends a final review of musical doings from 5011 Fifth-avenue, remarking that he leaves New York not without regret, as undoubtedly just now the musical capital of the world; Possibly not for its own sake exactly, but because artists of eminence swarm into it from all quarters of the globe, and linger in the country for months. “AY© heard old De Pachmann the other night, and were amazed at the wonderful quality of his tone and the depth of his insight, though now about 75 years of age. However, he lias no dynamic power to speak of, and fell down at Chopin’s “Revolutionary Etude” just for that reason, hut his reading of nocturnes and studies still within his style was beaut if ill. Towards the end of the recital lie was conversing with the audience freely as to ihe charm of his own scale passages ,and the like, but these eccentricities are cheerfully excused- as from a genius and an, old favourite. AVe have also heard Kreisler in the Tschaikowsky A 7 iolin Concerto, and have found him complete at all points—emotional warmth, singing tone, brilliancy, and ease of technique. Kreisler has a curious facial resemblance to Alfred Hill; is.very unobtrusive, and avoids preliminary flourish—after which he grips at your heart strings. Godfrey Ludlow, the Sydney violinist living many years abroad, looked me up the other "day, having come over from London. I was disappointed not to hear him, but the press notices are excellent, and he is so pleased with his success that he intends giving another concert in New ! York before" touring U.S.A. The other evening the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir joined in a stirring performance of Beethoven’s “Choral Symphony” under Stokowski, whom I consider the most brilliant conductor in America. Paul Althouse was the tenor soloist, and sang in great style. Monteux, shortly returning to France after a year or so with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, has not Stokowski’s fire, but he is a great musician, and has vastly improved the Boston players, so that Sergei Kousseyitzky, hi s Russian successor will find all in good order.”

MR JOSEPH BRADLEY IN LONDON

Mr Joseph Bradley (conductor of the Jtoyal Philharmonic. Society of Sydney) writes again from Harrington Gardens, London, under date April 4, that “We aie still in the thick of things here, and one of the most interesting events vas a performance of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (“The Choral”), which I conducted some years ago in Sydney with the Sheffield Choir and the Sydnev Symphony Orchestra. This present performance was by the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonic Choir under Koussevitskv who has recently been appointed conductor of the Boston S.O. in succession to the French conductor, Monteux. There are rumours here that Sir Henry Wood i s to make a .world tour, embracing Australia and u hen he heard that I was in London he expressed a wish, through a mutual friend, to see me. On learnino- that I was to conduct the Queen’s Hall Orchestra at Miss Gladys Cole’s concert on May 2, he at once offered (against his usually inflexible rule) to lend me all the orchestral scores and parts from his own library, and promised that he and Lady Wood would he present. They further sent us a box at the Havrnarket Theatre, and invited us for a weekend to thmr country place at Chovlev Hood where our son Julius (who is now with us) is to advise Sir Henry on some architectural matters.' We cancelled our projected visit to Ttah- to hear opera on his statement that, except at La Scab under Toscanini,' the operatic standard of Italy is below that of the Carl Rosa Company in England. Miss Cole continues in good voice, and we are not under any particular anxiety ns to her appearance with the orchestra. She sang to Mr. William Boosev (-the head of the event Chappell firm) in the emptv Queen’s Hall as the first of nine selected “voice trials/1 and after

‘‘Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster/’ lie declared, “In my 001111011 she should succeed here, as large voices are rare, and we have very few before the public of her calibre,” She is to sing next week to Mr. Hamilton Hartv, conductor of the Halle Concerts at Manchester, and also to Mr. Percy Pitt, director of the British National Opera Company.