WORLD OF MUSIC

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 February 1931, Page 15

WORLD OF MUSIC

A NOTABLE VISITOR, In town for a few days, Mr Rex Harrison, a leading “on the air”, baritone in New Zealand and Australia, gave a “Hawera Star”, representative a few general reminiscences and impressions. He said first—and this will make his visit to Hawera. of special interest to many—-that he had met the late Mr R. L. Hutchens, for many years a leading musician of the town, many pears ago at Christchurch and had sung in a Methodist Church in that town. Mr Harrison’s birthplace was Christchurch. He also knew Frank Hutchens exceedingly well and was a great admirer of his work and had noted his advancement in the world of art with keen pleasure. Speaking of present day music, Mr Harrison said he had been brought up to appreciate the musical evenings that used to he enjoyed in, the family circle and though other forms of music were tremendously popular, he felt! that the former musical times would come hack. Mr .Harrison will collaborate on Monday evening with Miss Constance Rleilly in a song recital and lovers of music can he assured of a most delightful evening’s work. The programme will be exceedingly varied in character and will explore many fields of musical art. MUNICIPAL BAND. Now that the contest selections are well .advanced, enthusiasts will bei glad to know that their presence is welcomed at the rehearsals. Thei hand is: playing splendidly with a fine confidence

and elan and, as the selections are of a very high standard and are also popular as well as classic, a visit to the band room for a part of an evening will be well worth while. In addition. i t) will encourage the members to ten Use that some at least of the people of the town are taking an interest in their work and wishing them success ! in the forthcoming contest in Wellington. This will open on Monday, February 23. STANDARD OF SINGING IN N.Z. The amour propre of New Zealand vocalists will be disturbed by the somewhat caustic remarks of Dr.' Phillips, of Auckland at the Musicians’ Conference in Christchurch, when lie said that there was generally perfunctory phrasing, uncultured diction, and a lack of a sense of rhythm. His remarks were in general endorsed, by the by the delegates present. Mr W. FT. Dixon, Christchurch, took up the cudgels for the. amateurs by stating that lie had heard recently in Wellington a class of ladies whoso singing had been equal to anything he had heard overseas. He was quite sure there was talent in New Zealand capable of reaching as high a point as the average talent in Europe. It was largely duo to the fact that there was no outlet that there had been no appearance of first-class talent. He did not think that the standard in New Zealand wfis very low. He was supported strongly by Mr Barry Coney, of Auckland, who said, however, that the art suffered by a lack of serious studv. Mr Robert- Parker said that- lie could speak with authority on the matter, and could thoroughly endorse what Dr. Phillips and Air Dixon had said concerning the uncertainty of singers. He quite agreed that the standard of singing was not so high as it used to be even in the great fingers of the world. Time and again lie Had remarked that it was impossible merely to open one’s mouth and .sing. Much more was needeel to turn the voice into an instrument music, and the question of musician- f ship in singing was one requiring the utmost consideration and supoort of the teachers and musicians of the Dominion.

Another interesting feature of the conference was the desire expressed—ancl this should help to give a musical uplift—that young singers should be encouraged in a much greater degree than heretofore, and that young musicians should be urged to essay the field of composition, any promising works to be helped by the society. • In this connection mention was made of two fine compositions by young New Zealanders, “Life” by Arthur LiiTv and “Prometheus Unbound” by Miss'Filkins. The latter of which wop the Society of Imperial Culture £SO prize. NOTES. Air Jas. Watson, an Australian band musician, lias assumed control of the Wanganui Garrison Rand, and under his control the band is making splendid progress. Speaking ol some early musical experiences in Cliristchurch at the Music111118’ Conference, Mr Robert Parker, C.M.G., the G.O.M. of music in New Zealand, said inter alia: “A festival service inside the walls of the Cathednjl—then (sft high—was held in 1575. Rishop Harper officiated. I was m charge of the choir, while Colonel Lane conducted the orchestra. The chief thing I remember about it is standing up to conduct it dressed in a surplice and a bell-topper hat.’ 7 lb© next annual conference ol musicuins will be held in Wellington"in 3932. I lie far t that' no less than 1400 applications were made by music teachers' for registration is a striking proof of the extent toi which music iy learnt by the young people of New Zealand. 1 he proposed conservatorium of music is an ideal which has been in the minds ot many people, deeply interested in music for a considerable time, but it lias _ always been considered impossible at the present time. It is good to see that the matter lias been taken up by the University authorities in Christchurch. The amount suggested as necessary would appear pretty large but the scheme is one that should be encouraged, for it would serve to keep m New Zealand many promising young musicians to give the art in the : I join” ilium a real fostering uplift. reioordeiT music. Marl,- Hambonrg. The famous pianist 1 , Mark TTamhourg,- ■ s at his best in Chopin’s “Nocturne” in E (on. 55), and Schumann’s Novelette in K. The Chopin piece is a model ■')l dual melody .lusciously yet not sentimentally ornamented. In spite of its familiarity, Hambourg makes it sound fresh from the forge. His. performance of Schumann is proud, forcelul playing, in which the l composer is vitalised with an instantaneous touch, a rhythm plastic as pnetrv, and where fascination of touch is not tins main need, (lie grandeur of harmony. Every note is made to mean something (TLM.V. EH92I).