WORLD or MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 31 July 1926, Page 8

WORLD or MUSIC

•iin r A REMARKABLE ARTIST.

All who had tkequdy.'dpgc ot bearing Antoine Konst ant, the brilliant pianist who gave one of Ins interesting lecturerecitals , in. Hawera -ol> Monday, were more than delighted; th<f}r were thrilled at. his extraordinary etinjimind over the instrument- (>vhicli. lie A&& made his special study in years of work)—a a command based on a ijatural intuitive ability, which, combined,, have, gamed for him a high place in 'Die wide world of music. New Zealiuulhas been fortijnate, indeed, in the that a search for good health obliged‘him to come hither, and that, therqfp.rc, her people have had some opportunities of learning something of his great ability from his recitals. It must M recalled that men of high Europe have given expression to tlufft" high opinion of his work. . p . • The recital,. though .perhaps specially valuable to those arc actually studying the piano—bemuse of his illustrations of special ditMultics encountered in that study, amlTß'ects required by students who wish', to reach the higher stages of yet profoundly interesting tQ, nil who appreciate good music. Jfvoryone in the audience, came away rpji.lising that not only had they learnt nine'll that was of interest, they had alsV- listened to a series of compositions, some of which they had not heard before, and all of which they had never;tiejard performed in a manner so nearly approaching perfection. It gave. thpnj ( ' a deeper insight into many gre/jjk compositions than they had ever hat] 1)0 fore.

70 OPERATIC SOCIETY

The fact that the cxediitive has chosen the cast for the o'pfcra, “ Runaway Girl.” points to a definite progress which will be cheering’and encouraging to all concerned. It tmliks a very definite step towards the?’'final performances which should ind'k'-ec all members to be more than evcH 1 enthusiastic in their attendance at 1 practice, and resolved to have a ketfiier persnal interest in the work iiUHVhieli they are taking part. Every member, by intelligent study of the work, can increase the general apprccia'tWin, and consequently the combined ’good effect. It is hoped that everyone''will do all possible to help in sccuririy that great success which has been -'the lot of the society since its fotinclafi'6'n. , ei!

i! i v THE COMPETITIONS

One of tlie artistic institutions of the district which, through being widest in its scope, and noodiingi more personal effort in preparation, f-hns perhaps a greater influence for good than any other of the excellent taimsical societies doing such good workiin Hawera. is the Competitions, which, annual event, covering three days, is looked forward to with very keen .in'terokt' by- a wide .circle of enthusiasts. . Tills year they will be hold on August U4Ji25 and 2(>, and thi' entries, which doled to-day, indicate that they should be as successful ns, it not more so than, before. The scope has been widened, and covers quite a wide field in instrumental and vocal music, and in elocution. And of these the latter is the most important, to all singers, and to no branch more than to the choral work.- *

Starting in a very humble way, some years bark, ns a few contests among the members of the Male Choir, it developed gra dimly, first holding children’s choir contests, and later were added numbers of classes until it spread to its present programme of events, occupying three very full days, ami keeping two Judges and committee going at high pressure to cover this wide field.

Besides the interest created amongst competitors’, IdicTthreA Say.4 ’ work- includes much that, the .public, ah d ' fli IS.’ evoni ii g perf oum nces, covering mainly recalls, are so mppulnr that the Opera House last yenr-vtas- crowded to the doors.

The choir contests’promise'"to be exceptionally interesting, especially in the open event, for .whiqftCthC wonderful chorale “6 Gladsome 1 ‘Light, ” from Sullivan’s wonderful work, ”Thc Golden Legend,” has been chosen as the test. The of this work should be well worth hearing. Altogether the llAky Competitions promise to be quite thp .best in the history of the movement ‘' run under the auspices of the Male G{qnr.