WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 16 November 1929, Page 18

WORLD OF MUSIC

LOCAL HAPPENINGS. The Orchestral Society has been working hard under the conductor, Mr Herbert Webb in view of the concert to be given in conjunction with the Male Choir amL, other artists at New Plymouth this month. Next Tuesday the final concert of the season of the Male Choir will be given and an excellent programme is promised, towards which all music lovers will look with keen interest. A useful work is being done in connection with flic -Presbyterian Church by Air C. Lamb, in his junior choir, all young people whom he has trained. They have shown on several occasions of what they are capable, and on Tuesday, November 26, they will give a whole programme at their own concert. As usual 'the- Haw era Savage Club will provide a special effort in aid of Xmas cheer for the Hospital and Old People’s Home. The date is fixed for December 10 and already a series of interesting numbers is in training. A performance equal to anything given in past years is promised.

NEWS AND NOTES. Afadame Winnie Fraser, who. is well known to many in this district, is still a popular soloist and has regular engagements in the cities. She sang at Wellington for the Choral Union last week, and was on the wireless for a special operatic programme at Christehureh this week. Next week,' she will be soloist, for the Christchurch Musical Society’s • “Tale of Old Japan,” and also for a. Hub concert in Christchurch. Air Robert Parker, of Wellington, one of the best known figures in musical circles in the Dominion as organist and conductor, and also for his work in the schools and in competitions, has just celebrated his fifty-first anniversary as organist of St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral. He is now S 3 years of age and is still full of work and carries on as usual. His is certainly a wonderful record of. work. It- is good to hear -of young New Zealand artists having the opportunity to make progress in their art by study in the Old World. Many a New Zealander has gone Home and achieved great distinction. Afmc. Aileen Johns, formerly a Wanganui girl and one of the best sopranos in the Dominioh, will leave in the near future for England and the Continent for further study of her art. The value of training in the atmosphere that is suited to bring out the best in artists ean hardly be over stated. The advent of New Zealand singers among the leaders in musical art and thought must have a wonderful influence on the artists themselves, broadening their musical outlook and being in itself a valuable education. Through them it tends to extend that influence to music in the Dominion, when they return and meet again the people of this land. It is a kind of co-operation in music, benofitting all who have a love for music.

It is stated in a foreign paper that Alussolini has decreed that, musicians shall have a representative in the National Parliament.

The first American performance of Eugene Goossens’ new opera “Judith” will be given by the Philadelphia Grand Opera Company at the Academj r of Afusie, Philadelphia, on the evening of December 26. This work enjoyed a mixed reception at its premiere in London recently says an exchange. It was prasied by many critics but manhandled severely by others, the general impression being that though there was good stuff in it, it was not sufficient either to give a fresh impetus to native English opera or to establish the reputation of Goossens as a successful opera composer. The composer was at one time associated with Herr Ve.rbrugghen, formerly of Sydney Conservatorium.

The effect of hard times on music in England is shown by the decrease in the number of students at the Guildhall School of Music from 3000 (in 1900) to 1800 at the present day. The original hunting horn of John Peel is in a glass case in the hall of the famous Lion Hotel (beloved of Pepys) in Guildford, High Street. An inscription on the base runs: “This horn was used by the celebrated John Peel when hunting his hounds. It was bought in Coekermouth Auction Mart, June '7, 1886, from the son of John Peel.”'

RECORDED MUSIC.

“Yeoman of the Guard.” It was iSir Arthur Sullivan ’s opinion that “The Yeoman of the Guard” was the best opera he and 'Sir W. S. Gilbert ever wrote. The works, unique in music, are so popular that he would be a bold man who would classify them, and any attempt would lead to endless argument. Suffice it is that the -“Yeoman of the Guard” stands in public estimation as great as any, and the complete recording of the musical score by the H.M.V. Company, under the direction of Mr Rupert D’Oyley Carte, the original producer for Gilbert and Sullivan, is an effort that adds lustre to the recording achievements of the gramophone. The soloists have all won ireputaticlns in Gilbert and iSullivan operas, and the orchestra, under the

brilliant young conductor, Dr. Malcolm Sargent, is a sheer joy. The recording runs to eleven discs. George Baker, who took the 2>art of Jack Point in the old recording, is again in that role, and his jester is true to tradition. His ducts, “I have a Song to Sing, O” with Winifred Lawson in the part, of Elsie are as one would wish them to be. “ ’Tis Done! I Am a Bride,” is very well sung and with taste by Miss Lawson. Tt is hardly necessary to re--fi'r to Derek Oldham as Fairfax—lie never seems to fail. Walter Glynne as Leonard is another sweet-voiced tenor. Leo. Sheffield’s Wilfred retains its individuality in a way that bespeaks the artst. In Kellie Bricrcliffe’s singing of the part of Phoebe one notes an exquisite naturalness with which she unites text and melody. Dorothy Gill as Dame Carruthers makes a fine number indeed of “When Our Gallant Norman Foes.” Hers is an outstanding contralto voice with a smooth transition between the registers. Peter Dawson gives befitting dignity to the role of ,Sergeant Meryill. The concerted numbers are a great success. The two trios, “Alas! I Waver To and Fro,” and “llow Sav You, Maiden,” are excellent, and “When a Woo-cr Goes

, ja-Woning” is given with feeling and >, restraint. “Here’s a Man of .Tolity” ,j is delightful with an intriguing bit ,jof symphony at the end. The men’s chorus is sonorous and the women are j particularly good in the beautiful but difficult beginning of the finale of Act. : 11. Altogether it is a great set of re- ' cords, recorded with meticulous care.