WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 September 1928, Page 18

WORLD OF MUSIC

HAWERA AMATEUR OPERATIC SOCIETY.

While it is to be regretted from some points of view that ithere is to ibe no further public performances by the Hawera Amateur Operatic Society this year, there is no overlooking the facts ■brought out by the president, Dr. J. McGhie, i'll: his address to members at the meeting held this week. It takes, money to produce a theatrical perform-■unco—-even an amateur one—and .there is no room to . doubt that the production of “High Jinks,’’ or any other ambitious piece, would be unwise from the business point of view at the present stage. The society is by no means bankrupt, as some people might have imagined; indeed, it is iu the enviable position of having money invested, but, when all the indications point to a. pecuniary loss on- any production which might be undertaken at the moment, it would be folly for the society to eat up its bank balance by entering on a new enterprise. The losses made by the Eitliam and Wanganui Societies, and the small deficit which resulted on the production of the “Punch Bowl,’’ .provided signs of the times which the executive had, perforce, to heed. The meeting held this week should do something towards bringing members and the interested public to a better appreciation of the difficulties to be faced and next winter the society should be able to. enter upon a prosperous season —-for it is not going out of business. It is to be hoped, by the way, that the president’s expressed intention of not standing for rc-elcction next year may bo overcome. The society can ill-afford to lose the active interest of such an enthusiast as Dr. McGhie.

NOTES AND NEWS.

Competitions arc very much “in the air’’ at .present. Hawera has just completed the local function while Wellington, Auckland, Gisborne, and Wanganui arc in .the midst of their activity or have just completed. The Auckland Choral Society has -begun rehearsals of Alfred Hill’s ‘ 1 Hinemoa, ’ ’ which will form the' main item for its next concert. The rest of. the programme lias not yet been decided upon, but an attempt will probably be made to. give the whole evening a strong Maori flavour. Mr J.. F. Montague, of Auckland, will act as judge in elocution at the annual competitions festival at. Ashburton next week. Mr Will Hutchins, of Wanganui, will act as judge of the music sections.

A new musical society has* been formed in Auckland, and lovers of good music will in the near future have the opportunity of enjoying classical concerts, which have perhaps never been .equally produced by any other local society (reports the “Star’’). This, the Puccini Musical Society, has an active •membership of over 60, including many well-trained and experienced artists. In a. private letter from Sydney, Mr Harold Whittle, speaking of Shura. Cherkassky, the sixteen-year-old pianist, says: “He is indeed a remarkable creation. I have not been so. thrilled for years. Great as are Levitski, ©a.ckhaus, ' Friedenthal, Spivakowski, and others, they can show 'him no points, and I aim not sure that he docs not lead them all. ” -

The following is an extract from tv letter from a Wellington lady visiting London: “I have been to many songrecitals here, but only two singers stand •out. John Goss, a delightful singer and a. real artist, and Marian Anderson, a negro contralto, with a lovely voice. At the latter recital Roger Quiliter accompanied the singer in a; group of six of his own songs. They were charming.’’ Some weeks ago, says n London paper, a laurel wreath was placed by Dame Madge. Kendal on the tablet erected on the Thames Embankment to the memory of the late Sir W. 'S. Gilbert. It was inscribed: “From the Gilbert and Sullivan Society.’’

During a rehearsal when Dr. Richter was conducting, a German trombonist continued to play a single long-drawn-out note during a pause of the brass instruments. Richter glared menacingly at the offender. “What is that?” lie shouted. “It is- in d-e music,” replied the .trombonist. “Let- me see,” said Richter. The trombonist moved the music to hand it to his chief, and then made a. startling discovery. “Vy,” he cried, in astonishment, .“it was «. fly!” adding, with triumph, “but I blayed him!” In connection with .the M«lba<-But't controversy, Mr T. M. Wilford writes as follows to the “Dominion”: “The general public and even Royalty enjoy popular- tunes, and although I- have had the opportunity of hearing recently Grand Opera in Vienna and also in Milan, I feel that the general education of the public, including myself as one of the -public, tends to an affection for popular music rather than' what is described as ‘highbrow stuff.’ There is a legend,’’ adds Mr Wilford, “that Queen Victoria once heard a tune being played which particularly took her fancy, and sent a Lady-in-Wniting -to inquire its name. After the Lady-in-Waiting returned, blushing and reluctant to speak, Queen Victoria, said, ‘Well, what is the- name of the tune?’ ‘The tune, Ma’am?’ faltered the Lady-in-AVait. in g, ‘The tunc is called ‘Come Where the Booze is Cheaper.’ ” A small girl was asked, upon her return home, how she liked the singing of the congregation in-the church. “I ■liked it very much indeed,” she said, “although all the. people said it was bad.” “All the. people said it was bad! AV-hat do you mean, my dear?” “Oh, it was so bad that I heard the people praying, “Have mercy upon us, miserable singers.”

AVho has not heard of the famousold Irish song, Father O’Flvnn? But I. wonder how many people know the romance lying behind it. The author, Dr. A. P. Graves, who is S2, and the son of a former Bishop of Limerick, composed the song during ai walk across London’s- parks. While it has earned thousands of pounds for others the author has received practially nothing for it! “Father O’Flyiin” was taken from real life, his prototype being a parish priest -of Kilcrohane, Co. Kerry, named the Rev. Michael AValsh, whom the'-author considers to be all and more than he described him in the well-known words: — “Pow’rfulest preacher and tindercst teacher And kindliest creature in ould Donegal. ’ ’

RECORDED MUSIC.

Friedman. (1) “Valse in A Minor” (Chopin) (2) “Etude-Op. 10. No. 12” (Chopin); (.1) “Etude—Op. 10, No. 7” (Chopin). Pianoforte Solos by Tgnaz Friedman. Columbia. 0406(5. Friedman plays the two. lovely Oh-opin etudes with an 'airy grace that conceals' not. only a mastery of

this construction, but also an understanding of the mood in which they wore written. But more delightful still is the Waltz .that occupies the whole of one side; one of Chopin’s acknowledged best. He enters thoroughly into the spirit of the composer’s sparkling contrapuntal devices, and still contrives to keep the ball of a plaintive melody' in the air. The tone is strikingly rich -and shows a. profotmd study' of harmonies —a study in which Friedman has few equals. Altogether a most charming record. A Famous Foreign. Conductor.

Four Norwegian Dances , (Grieg). Georg Schneevoigt .conducting the London "Symphony- Orchestra. Columbia Ll7.Tk.d4.

Georg Schneevoigt, once a. famous “stormy' petrol” among conductors, has lately developed a. singular sweetness of interpretation, and if these records of Grieg’s “Norwegian Dances” lack the fierce energy of his earlier works they have instead a wholesomeness and charm more suited to them. Schneevoigt emphasises 'the melody in delightful style. All four tunes are entrancinglv simple and melodious, conceived in the happiest vein and executed with a sort of care-free abandon. From “Gilbert and Sullivan. (1) “A AVandering Minstrel I. ” Sung by Eric Count-land, Tenor; (2) “A -More Humane Mikado.” Sung by Harold AVi 11 in-ms, Baritone. Columbia 3363.

Harold AVil-liams, with his great and growing reputation, should be senior partner on this record, but he is not. Eric Court land takes chief honours_for “A AVandering Minstrel I.’’ singing with perfect enunciation, a sense of fun and a fine open voice. AVilliaras is inclined to be a trifle monotonous, through failing to vary' his emotional stresses. However, his vocalism is good, and with two such popular songs this record should be quite popular. Sir Thomas Beecliam.

(1) “And the Glory of the Lord”; (2).. “Every Valley Shall Exalted.” From 'The Messiah (Handel). Hubert Eisdcll, Tenor. Sir Thomas Beecham, Orchestra and Choir. Columbia. 02634.

AVithout a doubt, the musical sensation of the London year was Sir Thomas Bcocha-m’s performance of the “Messiah,” and Columbia have done great service by issuing the complete work in their Standard section. His performance was ' full of an exalted energy', and its vibrant vitality is well demonstrated in this selection. The choir is under splendid control, and Hubert Eisdcll sings with extra-ordinary insight into the meaning of the oratorio. Recording is first-rate.