WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 2 July 1927, Page 13

WORLD OF MUSIC

IN THE SCHOOL. The pursuit of music in the school has beeu in past years more or less spasmodic, and of concerted or instrumental music there was not a great deal. But in recent years the demand for this subject has grown, and this culminated last year in the appointment of a director (Mr. E. 1). Taylor) for the Dominion, and since he. assumed control he lias been engaged in organising throughout the schools. It will be of interest to see how the movement takes shape. Of the value of such an addition to the syllabus there will be little difference of opinion. It is all for good to the pupils, as to tlie teachers. But quite apart from this there have been voluntary movements in music made where a master or an enthusiastic resident of a town has the special gift, the inclination, or the aptitude to set going a choir or an orchestra or a class for teaching the children. Of such are the flute aud drum band and the orchestra at the main school. Mr. Fox lias for some year and a half taken a deep personal interest in the musical welfare of the boys of the school, and that enthusiasm has resulted in the formation of these school institutions. Both have given evidence of their capabilities, and it is a remarkable fact how the honorary conductor has brought out the talent lying more or less dormant. He has the gift of enthusing all his pupils. The orchestra has shown its ability in performance, and it now has increased to thirty, and in order to get funds for new music a grand concert has been organised by Mr. Fox. The movement is certain to be popular, not only with parents and friends, but also with the general public. The young instrumentalists always command support, because the public appreciate the fact of their forming an orchestra; but when, in addition, they have proved themselves able to do good work there is a double reason for helping them. It is certain this will be forthcoming.

A soprano singer who has recently come here well recommended from Auckland, Miss V. Moginie, will assist the young orchestra, and in addition there will be other adult and juvenile performers. It is good to be able to record such advancement and enterprise at the school. It is an evidence of the good aud earnest work done and to be done.

OPERATIC EFFORT. A distinct step forward lias been taken by the Operatic Society in the year’s work, for which ''The Arcadians” was selected, in the selection of principal soloists. The committee has the matter in hand and will shortly make an announcement of its choice. The producer (Mr. Tlioo. Tresize) has arrived in Haw ora and will soon be in the thick of the work of rehearsal. The performance promises to be one of the best yet put on by the society. CHORAL WORK. The trouble in Wellington between the committee of the Choral Union and Mr. Temple White is much to be regretted, because lie is recognised all over the Dominion as an artist and a conductor of high standing. His resignation is causing no little stir in musical circles. THE COMPETITIONS. Mueli interest is already being evinced in the competitions, which each year have been so popular. A line series of events has been arranged and test selections made. It is understood that a change has been made in choir test, and that it will be "Sun of My Soul” (Turner) instead of the original selection.

NOTES. A compliment is paid to Mr. R. N. Renaud, organist of St. Mary’s Anglican Church in New Plymouth, by the •‘New Zealand Free Lance” in giving him a double column picture, showing him at his instrument. Mi*. Renaud is a capable and talented organist, and has delighted many thousands with his work at recitals. At a reception to the great pianist, Ignat7. Friedman, given by t-lie Musical Association, the chairman was Mr Frank Hutchens, an old 'boy of Hawera. Speaking in honour of the guest, Mr Hutchens said that the coining of.such great artists to Australia was a mat-1 ter of considerable significance in that it contributed materially to promoting better international understanding, and, at the same time, struck against undue materialism, which was a danger to any country.

How far budding Australian musicians and vocalists were justified in coming to London in expectation of finding the high road to success has been closely investigated by Mr Poland Foster, of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music (says an exchange). He has interviewed leading musicians, managers and critics, and finds a distinct pessimism in contrast to the enthusiasm in the United States. Mr Foster warns Australians to await a revival of mu sical prosperity in Britain, the decline of which he attributes to broadcasting, motoring, dancing, and financial depression. Meanwhile students coming to Britain, ho says, must be prepared to face stringency, a lean field of opportunity, and perhaps harpship. When is Hamilton to take up community singing again (says an occasional writer in the “Times”)? Surely everyone who read the article in the “Waikato Times” recently regarding the singing that took place at the Wembley Stadium on the occasion of the Football Association Cup final must have thrilled at the vivid pen picture of 100,000 people lifting up their voices in unison. As the writer said: “This community singing is something new and strange in our national life. It is still only in its infancy, but the Stadium revealed its stupendous power to unite and unify us and to ennoble us with high emotions.” A community singing together is a community united, and the effect must be tremendous. Auckland has its successful community singing. Why not Hamilton? Mr George Vincent , principal . examiner t o t lie Trinity College of Music, who arrived in Auckland on Sunday by the Aora.ngi. is firmly of opinion that New Zealand is the most musical of all the Dominions.

Those who attended the concerts given in Auckland by William Heughan, the Scottish basso, will be interested to learn that he has arrived back in London after a tour of .100,000 miles. He was announced to give a recital at Wigmoro Hall on May ft, his programme including arias by Handel, ITalevy and Meyerbeer; songs by Schumann and Moussorgsky, and various national folk songs. Miss Gladys Saver, Hu' accompanist, played in the same capacity throughout the tour.

A YOUNG TURKISH SINGER. One of the interesting figures at the Vienna Beethoven festival was the young Turkish singer Nimet Wahid. A correspondent of the Vissiselie Zeitung

points out that she conies of a distinguished Stamboul family, which has given may outstanding- personalities to Turkey. Her mother’s father, Hamid Bey, was a founder of the Stamboul Museum of Antiquities and Academy of Art, and was himself a painter of distinction. The daughter began her study of music at the age of live with the late Hungarian pianist Geza von Hegyel. After continuing her . studies at Stamboul she went to Munich and later to Paris, where she became the pupil of prominent teachers. She deplores the results of efforts of Western composers to imitate Oriental music. It is undoubtedly susceptible of adaptation and modernisation, she be lieves, as has been shown by the work of Djemal Eeshid Bey, Professor of Piano at the Stamboul Conservatorium, who recently gave a concert in Paris of Anatolian folk songs harmonised on Western lines. Nimet Wahid calls herself a worshipper of Beethoven, although there is among his works one resounding failure, his “Turkish March.”