WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 7 May 1927, Page 18

WORLD OF MUSIC

Work in the various societies of the town is going ahead steadily, a*l having their regular practices well attended and siiowing good and steady progress, which is very gratirying to the conductors and oommittes. Hawera will in a -short time have a series of very interesting performances, an outward and visible sign of the good work of which the public and the audiences do not know much, except by the results achieved. When they listen to the performance they do not as a rule give much heed to the weary hours put in by the conductor in his teaching and training of the chorus or orchestra.

If the individual members of the society —be it choral, orchestral, operatic or dramatic —would think of the work done by the conductor, and howin most cases he has to teach the average member and to secure some sort or competency, more or less perfect, by frequent repetition, he or she would begin to realise how assistance, most valued, cou.d be given by private practice of the notes, by study of the words, and by a knowledge of the plot and the story and characters. The result would be to the benefit and advantage not only of the society and the conductor, but also to the individual. This, combined with a modicum of knowledge of music—tempo, expression, and effect —would increase the interest of the individual and make the practice much more enjoyable. It would enable works of various kinds to be prepared and performed better in less time, and altogether would be an all-round benefit. One wonders if it is possible for such o. state of things to exist, or whether it is a Utopian idea to consider such a, society. Of its effectiveness there is no doubt whatever, and any move in that direction is all to the good.

AUXILIARY ORCHESTRA

A great opportunity is afforded to beginners in orchestral music by the decision of the society to revive the auxiliary orchestra. To anyone wishing to progress it should be invaluable. Mr. Fox has agreed to control this part of the work of the society. It is really an excellent chance, and it is hoped that it will be seized “with both hands” and at once. A good work is being done by Mr. Fox and the society in the interests of music.

IN NEW PLYMOUTH

That the New Plymouth Choral Society is doing excellent work is evidenced bv the annual report, which shows that during the past season the society gave three concerts —in the first being assisted by Miss Berta Carr, of Auckland.; in the second by Mr. Arthur Jordan, the eminent English tenor; and in the third, “Hiawatha,” by Madame Winnie Fraser and Mr. Harold Prescott. The society also travelled to Urenui to help the local society, and gave concerts on behalf of the Pukekura Park and the Salvation Army. The first performance of the 1927 season will be Mendelssohn’s great oratorio “Elijah,” a work that is certain to be popular.

A GREAT ORGANIST

Speaking of his appointment to the Sydney Cathedral, Dr. Haigh, well known in New Zealand, said he wa9 glad of the opportunity of taking part in construction work and welcomed the greater opportunities for performance. Dr. Haigh, who has been a prolific writer, has recently written a work on organ pedal play.

NOTES FROM HOME,

The following excerpts from a letter received from Miss Mona Castle, who is at present in London studying singing under Miss Dora Labette, the singer of old English songs, has been sent by a correspondent : ‘‘l have just returned from a gorgeous organ recital in St. Margaret’s Chapel, Westminster, it was a splendid programme. Most of the large churches have organ recitals or musical festivals nearly every day. Those at St. • Martin’s-in-the-Fieids are given in the dinner hour (1.25). 1. go to these nearly every day. The music is always beautiful, and, thanks to Mr. Bernard Page, I am fairly well able to understand Caesar Franck, Debussy, Bach, etc. Only today I was wondering how many people really know what a fortunate community Wellington is to have a man like Mr.i Page as city organist. Why, if he were here, he would be a god in one of these cathedrals, for his musical taste and ability is quite equal to most of what one gets in London. The organist in Westminster itself is about the best I have heard, but then look at his organ; and, in fact, nearly all the organs here are much superior to any in New Zealand, as far as I can tell.”

COMPOSERS’ VARIED SOURCES OF

INSPIRATION

Just as writers do, musicians find their sources of inspiration in various circumstances, frequently in those which would appear least likely to be inspiring. Only a few like Gounod find the inspiration of church music sitting in church and inspiration for opera in the theatre. Chopin found it everywhere and in everything. Brahms and Beethoven, however, although they found it in the fields and woods, had to work extremely hard to make it express itself. Haydn could not write the best music unless he were well-dressed and manicured. Schubert got some of the best ideas for his songs in the noise of the cafes and beer gardens. Auber found his best melodies when horse riding, and Rossini did so in bed. Very few have had the gift of Mozart, of being able to compose anywhere, and in such a way that he was quite sure it would not be forgotten before it was written down.