WOLRD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 17 April 1926, Page 12

WOLRD OF MUSIC

I’KRSONAI,. i ... . Miss Amy Partridge, A.R.C.M., who has been in Hawera for some years, has arranged to go to London for a trip, and while there will secure a series of lessons from Mr Tobias Math-ay, well known as une of the best teachers of the piano in» England. During her absence her work in Hawera will be carried on bv Miss Olga. Lezard, of Welington. Miss Lezaid has been for some years a pupil of Mr Robert Parker, one of the best known teachers in the Dominion and specialises in piano and singing. She arrived in Hawera on Wednesday, and has taken up the practice of her profession here. ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY. The date of the first concert of the Orchestral Society has now been fixed for Tuesday, May 11. There will be- a very special programme, including the great 1812 overture ancl other wellknown orchestral selections. It will be of interest to music-lovers to know that the Hawera Municipal Band will assist the orchestra in the two final movements of the “1812” overture. In addition the orchestra will have the assistance of a noted harpist, and also of two singers of repute. The public may .look forward confidently to one of the best coiicerts ever, given in Hawera.

MUNICIPAL BAND.

The band’s activities are maintained at a very higli level, aiid the committee spare no effort to in p any way forward the interests of the band. The members will assist the Orchestral Society in their concert on May 11, taking part in the famous 1812 overture. In order to increase interest, and also to help their funds, a weekly assembly is ‘being arranged in the Winter Show Buildings, and the prospects are that these will be well attended. They play periodically in the. town .on a Saturday evening and also ip the Park, so that eitizejis- have many opportunities of hearing them and noting their progress. ' MALE CHOIR. Arrangements are being pushed ahead for the opening concert of the choir, and later in the season the full choral work will he put into practice. It is expected that this will bring; together a very large chorus, to be assisted by the full Orchestra 1 . Society. OPERATIC SOCIETY. So soon as the scores of the opera chosen. “The Runaway Girl,” come 1o hand, practices will commence and members look forward to a very interesting time at rehearsals.

BANDS ASSOCIATION. Any movement that serves to bring together enthusiasts with a. common interest and for a common purpose must be of the utmost value to the community as we].' as to the special subject of the movement. The clash of opinion in discussion makes for improvement, enterprise and progress, atid creates also a state of min 4. which will have a good effect on everything in which those concerned take an interest. This has been proved in many fields of activity and it is certain that in the recently-formed Association of Brass Bands lies the germ of a movement which is, going to be of the utmost value to band music ‘in ip articular, to music generally, and through that medium to the community. It is hoped .that the association will be a. great success and lead to. a quickening of the musical life, of the province. Anything that- is destined to lie>lp a \great art •ike music merits the utmost help from all, whether directly concerned or not, in that pursuit. The progress, of the movement will be watched with sympathetic interest by all in every part of Taranaki.

CHRISTCHURCH CATHEDRAL. A fine tribute was paid last, week 'by a visitor from Dunedin to the singing of tlie Cathedral Choir in Christchurch, and a.Vso to the organist and choirmaster, Dr. Bradshaw. Writhing to the Star, he says: “May I, through the medium of your paper, congratulate Christchurch on possessing such an excellent and efficient Cathedral choir? It was mv privilege to be present at the Good Friday performanceof selections from Bach’s “Passion.” The c-horales, choruses, solos and organ, accompaniments were alt tastefully and skilfully rendered. To say the least the interpretation of Bach’s intricate’ and magnificent -cantata was wonderful and inspiring. The greatest credit and praise is due to the Cathedral organist and choirmaster. Dr Bradshaw. Christchurch is fortunate in possessing such a splendid choir under the leadership of a musician of. such sterMng calibre.”

THE CHERNIAVSKY. 'On January 5, Jan, Mischel, and I>eo Cherniavsky gave a concert in San Francisco to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of their first appearance as a, trio. It seems only the other day when they made their first bow to a N?w Zealand audience. At that time the combined ages of the three hoys was but little over 25. THE DON COSSACK CHOIR. An important contract, which will add materially to the interest in the coming musical season, is that enter-, ed into by the Don Cossack Choir for a three months’ tour of Australia, as announced in a recent cable message. These 38 Russian artists have been singing recently in many cities in Europe, with remarkable success, and of a concert given in Leipzig, the critic of the “Neuste Nachrichten” wrote: “The choir exhibits such a mastery of sound that its beauty and subtlety of tone bear comparison with the results attained by the best orchestras.” _ It was this subtlety in vocal meaning which again impressed • the London critics when the choir, conducted by Serge Jaroff, appeared for the first time in that city in May last. at Aeolian Hall. The volume of sound was likened to that of a rich organ, by.the Times reviewer, who then described the fortissimos and soft whispers as wonderfully telling, as the singers ran the gamut from A below the bass to D on the fourth line of the treble clef, while the pitch never departed from accuracy by a hair’s breadth. The “Volga Song.” by the way, is among the features of the work of this choir. So gerat was the demand for seats in London that two extra concerts were arranged. The conductor, who is only 27 years of age. has had a distinguished career as a student at the fnmqus Church Music Academy of the Holv Synod of Moscow. The members of the choir all took their part in the great war, and fought under Denilcen and Wrangel; Ifnt when the Russian offensive broke down, they went to Sofia, and there the ~hoir was formed. Their first big r-oimert success was gained in Zagreb, in Serbia, and when Vienna confirmed this verdict, the future of the organisation was established.