WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 2 June 1928, Page 8

WORLD OF MUSIC

I * - Oil CHE STEAL SOCIETY. The Orchestral Society’s concert next Tuesday—the first of the 1928 season — promises to bo in every way note? worthy. The strength of the players has been considerably augmented, and will be the largest, as well as the most capable, body of instrumentalists that has ever played in concert in Hawera. Several visitors, including .Air. Laszlo Schwartz and Mr. Fama, have expressed amazement and- stated that it is rare, even in much larger towns, to see such a composite and complete orchestra. The programme will be of the best, it will include numbers that are certain to suit alt tastes. One feature quite new here, but sometimes practised in other centres, is the introduction of the guest conductor, Mr. V. Lester, a musician of miich ability and experience, who will take charge of two numbers.

It is good to .note that two of the assisting artists will be local performers—Miss B. Sturrock, A.R.A.M., L.A.8., and Miss Mary Barones. Both are talented musicians, and both are certain -tfo be popular. In addition, there will be a performer on the xylophone. Mr. Rupert George. The members, of the orchestra have shown a fine loyalty and have been most assiduous in their rehearsal, and have backed up their conductor (Mr. Fox) with enthusiasm.

NEWS AND NOTES. Haydn’s “Creation” is ‘.to be given by the Christchurch Harmonic Society in the first week in August. The Palmerston .Choral Society’s performance of “The Rebel Maid” has been postponed to June 28. By her singing in “Elijah” last week in Auckland Miss Alma McGruev conclusively proved Iflha’t she has “arrived,” and henceforth she must be considered to .be one of the foremost dramatic, sopranos in the Dominion, says the “ Star. ” The pleasing way in' which this young soprano 'attacks. her notes fairly and squarely together with her piirilty of tone and diction, is a shining example to other, local singers.. There are, it may be aclde, few more searching tests in every way ith'an the wonderful recitatives and solos that abound in Mendelssohn's immortal oratorio. ,

Professor Sanford Terry has completed a biography , of Bach, which will be published shortly by the Oxford University Press. Illustrations will be an important feature; they mil number over seventy, and vyill : jgonsist largely of reproductions of photographs of Bach localities taken by the author himself. Perhaps the most novel of proposed memorial's to Schubert (says an American paper) is that .contemplated in Vienna, a “Schubert Road” to connect two resorts outside the city “ Him. me!” and “Kohlenberg.” 1 The road would winp through the woods and fields in which much of the composer’s work whs conceived.

Western music appears’ to be gaining ground in Japan (remarks an American writer). Tokyo lias 'two symphonv 'orchestras and 'several choral societies. During the ’current season two Japanese singers achieved considerable success. They were Yoshio Fujiwara, tenor, and Toshiko Seltiya, soprano. On the productive side, Kosehak Yamada has orchestrated various Japanese airs. A most interesting picture was painted bv Mr Laszlo Schwartz last week of the support .given by wealthy patrons to music in the cities of U.S.A. but late advices show that these millionaires are. considering whether too many big institutions are being carried by them and that in the case of the New York Philharmonic and Symphony orchestras, a-movement is or. foot to merge the two into one body. Although the city lias a p'opula'tion_ o'f seven million people, both are having a hard time to succeed.

Among Schubert centenary observances (.says ithc ‘ ‘Christian Science Monitor”) may be listed .the publica tion by Applelton of a p'aper-covered volume entitled “Franz 'Schubert at Home,” which .contains a brief account of the composer’s career, with sonic of his piano works, and piano 'arrangements of other compositions, including serae of the most familiar songs, the ‘‘ U mil ash ed ’ ’ .Symphony • and the Andaiite of the C major Symphony, .These are linked by paragraphs of 'historical r-.nd critical comment. This is the -.first volume, of a proposed '‘Master-Com-poser Series. ” A change, somewhat radical in nature,' has been .made at ithe famous La Scuta Opera House in Milan, Where, with the authority of the Italian Government, the rights of the private boxholder's have been expropriated under a scheme of re-organisation. They will now be offered to .the public in the same way as the individual seats. A't the 'annual .meeting of the Palmerston Amateur Operatic. 'Society last week the president .paid a .gre'at tribute to the young, members. Inter alia lie said: ‘‘We have come bo a very serious period in our life.. My honest opinion is that the only means of recovery and retaining what we have in hand is to undertake some minor .production on which we could reasonably hope for a profit which would enable ns to continue in the major production of opera. Ido not think we clan stress too gre'atly that last year showed conclusively that the older performers do not count —we have new talent coming on. I honestly consider that last year wa;s worth while solely because of the young girls’ and boys’ splendid work. With such talent there are great possibilities for the future.” Brisbane had a treat in the Australian composers’ iconice.it, held in the Exhibition concert hall, on May 4. The presence of Mr Alfred Hill, of the New South Wales .State, Orchestra, in the city, and his addresses on musical matters have been much appreciated, but the crowning success of his visit was the performance of ‘‘ HihenVoa ” at Friday's concert. Miss Evelyn Grice, who has a delightful soprano voice, took the 'p'art Of the Maori maid, Air Stanley Mitchell was' Tuifanekai, Mr “Roy. Dariniell did justice ito the smaller part of 'Tiki, 'and <Mr J. E. 'England, who received a tremendous ovation was heard as the magician, To'hungn. Mr Hill conducted hi's ’own music and made a 'charming speech at the close of the concert, which was- attended by a very large number of people. It was a notable performance, the work of the choir's being good. Sir George lion sell el, who was born 78 years ago, sang 'on March 25 at the first of a series of .chamber 'concerts at the Arts Theatre 'Club, London. The illustrious old 'musician, who in his 'time has .shone as conductor aud composer as well as singer, accompanied himself, as his custom has always been, in songs by 'Schubert, Loewe, and Schumarui. The artist in him was still imaginative and vivid. “ Wunderlich er Alter!” we echoed, after hsis extraordinary moving performance of the last of Schubert’s “Winter Journey” songs. His voice was unmistakably the same, only a little more tremulous. It.

was always rather gruff in quality, but still a line instrument of .'art, ithanks to the true value always given to individual word’s and something of the actor’s art in communicating with the audience. . .... „„„