WORLD of MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 January 1925, Page 13

WORLD of MUSIC

NOTES. Thin year witnesses the centenary of several famous musicians. Among them, August Manus, the renowned conductor at the Crystal Palace, and of the Handel Festivals; Ouseley, professor of music at Oxford, organist and pianist, .author of works in theory, and the translator of Naumaaiii’s “History of Music” ; Edward Hansliek, famous a.s a musical critic and writer on the aesthetics of music; Herve. composer of “Chilperic,” “I,e Petit Faust,” and other works; and Johann Strauss, composer of wellknown operettas, and who still lives on to-day in. the celebrated “Bine Danube” waltz, which has found a welcome revival at piano recitals in Schulz-Elver’s brilliant paraphrase. Whilst playing the powerful finale of Chopin’s “Soni'-vta in B minor.” at a recital at Cheltenham. M. Cortot, the famous French pianist, broke one the brass l wires of his piano. M. coolly finished playing the sonata. but with an amusingly “ja.zzv' effect. In the short wait before his next appearance on the platform the tuner who •aconipauies iiim on his tours put in and tuned a, now wire. The Moulin Rouge, the Montmartre music; hall of old-time fame, is to he revived. •It was destroyed by fire a,t the beginning of the war, and in it.s place was built a dance hall. The theatre has. been rebuilt on ultramodern lines. The roof, for instance, is built in suc-h a way that in fine weather it can be removed in a- few minutes, turning the place into an open-air theatre. Olga Snpio, daughter of Clementine de Vere-Sapio, has been achieving success as a -pianist in England. Her mother, a favourite onera. si Hirer, has been teachimr in New York since 1914. The name Fapio coniures ur> very nip a.s ant recollections of the Fariio-Urso Concert Company of many years ago. They toured New Zealand and were an unallowed joy to music lovers.

HAWERA MALE CHOIR. The report of the choir presented at the annual meeting discloses a much improved state of affairs generally, and records a very useful year’s work, with a projected programme for 1925 which will keep very full the hands of the new’ conductor and demand from the choir a sustained interest and effort, which, if given by them, will not only benefit the choir, but will add much to their own enjoyment. We have urged on many occasions the need of members of anv musical society taking a keen personal interest, in the w r ork of the year, and the value, individually and collectively, of some private practice. It would be a tremendous helj> to the conductor, and if everyone would take to heart, the advice it would be a nice compliment to Mr Howe, w T ho has just come to Hawera and taken over the direction of the choir, and would hearten him much in his efforts for the choir. If they carry through the programme as set. down it will be a Very interesting year alike for themselves and for the public. Support from the people of the town and district will never be lacking if the choir will show: they are in earnest to give their best, for in that wav will success be- assured.

MUNICIPAL BAND. Another institution which is deserving of the heartiest support and encouragement, and which certainly is now securing a very fair measure of help, is the Municipal Band. Their able and enthusiastic conductor, Lieut. Fox, has raised the band from the comatose condition into which it liacj sunk last year, and he has infused new life into its dry bones. With a most commendable spirit he. instituted new methods of practice which have made a strong appeal to all members. They have realised that playing is much more than blowing an instrument, and to attain any measure of success they must develop other faculties. Correct breath control is a fundamental part of his methods, and also an idea of interpretation and appreciation of the music being played. These methods have already had a wonderful effect and have galvanised the band into new life. Combined with his quiet, but firm control, and his belief in discipline, regularity and punctuality, thve aie aoiug much farther on the road to really good work. We hope the public will actively show their keen appreciation of the' efforts being made, quietly and unobtrusively, but none the less effectually.

OPERATIC SOCIETY. This body of singers and actors, who made such a good name for themselves last year, have not yet opened the new season, but their work is arranged, and they are looking forward to a continuation of their success if hard work, energy and enthusiasm will achieve that end. They are doing a good work, and also deserve the support of the community.

ENGLISH MUSIC. The paragraph. in last week’s Star on the great revival of a research .in English music, is emphasised by the following paragraphs from a Home paper:—A remarkable musical find has been the ‘ great service of the Elizabethan music ian, William Byrd. Five years ago, in the archives of Durham Cathedral, the major portion was discoveied or / this totally unknown work. It has since been patiently completed with fragments remaining in other old libraries. Now, after 300 years of silence' it has been sung again, the restored masterpiece being performed recently in the beautiful fifteenth century Church of St. Margaret, Westminster. _ The singers wers Newcastle Bach Choir, conducted by Dr. W. G. W hittaker, who visited Australia in 1923 on behalf of the Associated Board. “Much of the music is very delicate and intimate,’’ we arc told._ “but frequently it broadens out into great strength and grandeur, and all the forces of a festival chorus will not he too much for the latter part of the ‘Te Deum’ and in the Magnificat and the last ‘Gloria,’ with its triumphant ‘World without end’ and garlands of ‘Amens.’ The texture of the music seems to modern ears used to the coarser music of instruments, to he of angelic quality. But there is. too, an abundance of humanity in Bvrd’s detail.” His masterpiece was found by chance by Dr. Fellowes.

FOLK SONGS. The following will also be read with interest:- —"There has been no serious attempt at a revival of old lollc songs in New Zealand or Australia,” said Air. Clive Carey, in conversation with a Press representative in Christchurch. Mr. Carey is well known in musical circles ..in England and on the Continent. For some yeais in lie sang in, and produced operas, old and new’, at the Old Vic, London. Air. Carey will sing folk songs and some numbers of his° own composition. During the Christchurch season Mr. Frank Hutchens, the eminent pianist, and Aliss Vera Mitchell, the ’cellist, will assist Air. Carey. Reverting to the revival of folk music in England, Air. Carey stated that there was very keen interest manifested in the movement about 20 years ago, Cecil Sharpe making extensive investigations and collecting an enormous number of songs and Alorris dances in England. During recent years many musicians of note had interested themselves in the old melodies. The Alorris dances, said Air. Carey, had some ritual meaning, originally religious, but the songs had no known composers, being handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. The melody was sung by soloists without accompaniment, hut accompaniments are now used for presentation to modern audiences. Most of the old sea “Chanties” had died out with the abolishment of the windjammers. They w T ere used when a crew was working the capstan, chiefly for the purpose of keeping in time. While in Australia recently Air. Carey met an old lighthouse-keeper who knew about 20 of these old melodies, and lie promptly made a note of them. The Christchurch season should be welcomed by lovers of the quaint and archaic in music.