WORLD OR MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 23 May 1925, Page 16

WORLD OR MUSIC

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. The instrumentalists, of Hawera are to lie heartily commended for the iyay they rallied round the promoters of the resurrection of the old society, and their faith has been amply justified. The annual meeting was a great success, the number attending being most satisfactory and giving promise of much good work in the near future. With commendable promptitude they have arranged a date for their first concert, and this will give them an incentive to work. Mr. Fox has imbued them with some of his own keenness, and if they continue to respond, tire results will be very good. In connection with the orchestra, there has been formed a junior orchestra in connection with the SQ7 ciety, and this will be an excellent training ground for the young players.

DRUM AND FIFE BAND. The mew departure of the public school is shaping very well indeed, and under Mr. Fox the drum and life band will continue to improve, and will become a very valuable adjunct to the school. BAND MATTERS. A very excellent idea was mooted some time ago in the proposed interchange of visits between towns. The first, between Hawera and New Plymouth, will take place to-morrow, when Mr. F. W. G. McLeod, with the Regimental Band from New Plymouth will be in Hawera, and will give a series of selections on Sunday afternoon. This visit has been enthusiastically awaited for sojne time.

OPERATIC SOCIETY

The “Toreador ” has been selected by the executive of the Operatic Society, and, as they have the scores, they can get to w.W'k at once. The new opera is said to be very pretty and effective, and is certain to be popular.

PIANISTS WHO PRACTISE HARD

All the great pianists practise hard. It is the only way if success is to be won. These great performers, of course, have exceptional gifts to start with. But of gift absolves the artist from the necessity of immense and long-continued work at the keyboard. Technical facility is np.t to be attained except by prolonged and persevering exercise of the fingers, wrists, and forearms. Rubinstein was a tremendous worker, Paderewski confessed to seven hours a day, and a good deal of it scales and five- finger exercises. Pachmann, Hofmann, Rostenthi.il—-all these eminent players spent many hours daily at the piano in pursuit ofthe enormous technical skill they were determined to-acquire. There is no royaj road to efficiency as a pianist; but the necessary practise need not be ■dull work. On the contrary, the real musician loves working at his technical exercises, and sometimes, even, prefers them to his pieces.

MUSIC-HALL ARTISTS WHO LIVE

RENT FREE

In a. one-roomed caravan, pitched in the heart of Bloomsbury, London, were living Ml*, and Mrs. R. C. Reeves, music-hal] artists (says a correspondent). The caravan Avas in Mecklenburg MeAvs, close -to Guilford Street, and, although surveyors, sanitary inspectors, police officers and officials of the Foundling Hospitaj had tried to persuade the occupants that it aa'us their duty to moA T e, they intended to remain until they join a concert in Blackpool. “We 'used to live in Russell Square,” Air. ReeA’es said, “but when AA’e returned to London last, autumn after a summer jn Ike north Are found life in Bloomsbury so expensive that Ave decided to make use of our caravan. AYte pay no rent, and the cnraA'an is our oavh property. Tenants of the Foundling Hospital are allowed to lea.A’e their carts here, but Ave understand that the meAvs are. public, and that is why AA’e decided to pitch our home in this little bit of Bloomsbury. I am quite happy. We. get water* from a fountain close by, and cook .by oil. We have a comfortable lied. What more does a man want?”

AIUSIOAL NOTATION. Notation, that is, the art of Avviting and, incidentally, of reading music, is for the average person at one and the same time the most important and the most difficult thing ,in the art generally Even professional musicians find it so difficult that nearly every composer uses more sharps and flats than is necessary. Teachers and performers, on the other hand, are constantly trying to simplify it, and besides tlie tonic sol: fa notation, which, most people now know, at least seven quite neiv systems Avhich have attracted serious attention have been brought forward in recent years. This is, of course, also in addition to the slight improvements in the old system AA’hicli are constantly being introduced and adopted. 1

Curci’s husband, is a lighter melody lyith an accompaniment of unusual charm. To sing this correctly requires considerable exercise in breath control, and, ( an exceptionally flexible voice. Mr. Samuels has Avritten this song in a manner Avhich should test the greatest versatility of a yoice. Aliss Beatrice -Fenner, the AvellknoAvn Ayriter and personal friend of Galli Curci, has Avritten both Avords and music to tAvo songs, “The Garden Wind,” and “Spring. Dropped a Song into my Heart.” The former features a very' soft, droAVsy, ’wind wandering dreamily through a garden. The' expectant listener is filled with melancholy sadness; for the voice of the wind is too soft for any message it whispers to be heard. The accompaniment gives this effect as well as the, words. The second song is much more gay Avith the brighter movements of the quicker pulse and joy of spring, the sAveetness of the (loAyers, a.nd the freshness of the dew; and the concluding high notes resemble the clear call of the birds announcing that spring has come. Descriptions, hoAvever. are of little value. One needs to hear this worldfamed artist in order to receive benefit from f-hose songs.