Town and Country

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 86, 27 March 1926, Page 12

Town and Country

Events and Topical Notes WOMEN'S COMMUNITY CLUB. An open afternoon, for all ciub members, was held in the rooms of the Club on Monday afternoon last. The rooms have been spring cleaned and re-arranged this week by some energetic members, and the effect was fresh and inviting, roses and Japanese anemonies being the flowers for the day. A musical programme was given by Mrs. K. Thorburn, Miss M. Fox-Rogers and Miss Florence Williams. Airs Gill and Miss Freda Parke being the accompanists for the afternoon. The afternoon was rather an innovation as the musical circle has been run on rather different lines, and the new ideas introduced were a change which was appreciated by tlio members. Mrs. Thorburn played the following pianoforte items, which were very much enjoyed, the brilliancy of her playing being the subject of much admiring comment:—“Aux dem Carnival,” by Greig, and as an encore “Berceuse,” also by Greig. Later on two waltzes by Moskowski were played very charmingly. Another item was a waltz (A flat), Chopin, and as an encore a very haunting tango. The first’ of Miss Williams’ violin solos was “Shepherd’s Dance,” by Edward Germain: next an “Aria” (16th Century), by Tenaglia; and as her last an “Irish Folk Melody, Londonderry Air,” arranged by Lionel Curtis, which went with a swing and was much applauded. Seldom has such finished playing been heard at the club. Airs. Gill proved herself a skilled accompanist. Miss FoxRogers sang very charmingly and her first item, “Still vie dip Nache,” by Carl Bohm was rendered with great sympathy, Miss Florence • Williams playing the violin obligato- and Miss Freda Parke playing the piano accompaniment. Her next item was a bright little song, by Barnicott, “Bonnie Blue Kerchief.” The last item was a fine song, and was very dramatic, with the violin obligato and piano, that tragic composition by Bemberg, “The Hindoo Song,” which was aclmiratflv suited to the mezzosoprano voice. After the music several members stayed on For conversation and tea, the whole afternoon being greatly, enjoyed. Some of those present were Mesdames Lunn, Broiule, Eochfort, Waterworth Jlursthouse, Gill. Fannin, Holderness. and Mrs. Holderness (from Cluistchurch), McCaw, Day, YV. Mackenzie, Stead, Douglas, H. A. Williams, Clarkson. Turner-Williams, Pat Reid. Dixon, Misses Evans, Pasley, Pratt, YVilliams, Lewis, Curlett, and Fitzroy ® THE BAND RECITAL ON SUNDAY NIGHT. Being a clear moonlight night on Sunday last', it was very pleasant sitting outside on a Hastings balcony, listening to the band, for though a little way from Queen’s Square, most of the music could be heard, without the distraction caused by those whose lips are unloosed directly music starts, and whose conversation rises in crescendo with the loudness of the band. “Alusic hath charm,” is often demonstrated, and soothes many a worker who lias time on. Sundays to enjoy it. One has only to walk along an ordinary residential street in Hastings on a Sunday afternoon to see what a large percentage enjoy music as a diversion for leisure hours. In one house the family is obviously gathered round the piano, joining heartily in the strains of a well-known hymn. Next to that, someone with classical taste expounds the slow movement of a Beethoven Sonata. A gramophone is but a door or two away, and on the porch sit the family group, listening to the golden voice of Caruso; while the penetrating notes of a cornet from over the road testify to a determination to get the better of “The Perfect Day.” Whatever the music, the motive is the same. It brings something higher and finer into the lives of those who, rushing ajl the week, turn to something loss material on Sunday. Well, to go back to the band recital. It sounded very nice, hut is it an expression of popular taste that there is so little sacred music played? The Andantino of Lemaire is really more beautiful and more dignified, without being dull, in its original sotting (as the writer hoard Lemaire play it) than in its modern syncopated time which has finally evolved as “Moonlight and Roses.” If the fox-trot rhythm is preferred for classical compositions b’' the audience, then why not syncopate “God Save the King” to please popular taste—it would be quite easy! ® ® COMING EVENTS. There are many great artists coming to New Zealand this year. Australia is full of excitement over Pavlova, who is appearing in Alclbourno now. An other musical attraction on the New Zealand lists for 1926 is the Don Cos sack Choir, comprising 38 officers oi the Russian White Army, who at’p coming out to Australia next month, opening in Sydney on April 17. After the season in Australia the Don Cossacks will visit the principal cities of New Zealand on their way to the United States. ® ® IN ART CIRCLES. Last week the president of the Academy in Wellington, at the Art Gallery opened a most interesting loan exhibition of paintings by the late Air. A. AV. Walsh, and the late Air Albert Hanson. The work of these two deceased artists, so dissimilar Hi style and handling, ranks with New Zealand’s very foremost landscape and marine painting, and art-lovers are enjoying the opportunity ot viewing so charming and unique a collection. A Wellington artist who saw this collection a day or two ago, writes:—“l went to the loan collection of Air. Walsh’s and Air. Hanson's pictures at the Art Gallery upstairs. There were many artists there, it is a beautiful set of pictures; especially did 1 admire air. Hanson’s work, it was very line. One of his best and largest was lent by the Wallesley Club, bequeather to them bv Dr. Fyffe. A brass plate on it was engraved with the words ‘ln memory of the many happy hours spent there.’ The picture was a seascape, just a stretch of coast with rocks and shining sand m Australia—New South Wales, 1 think. The ones 1 reallv liked most were two of Air. Hanson’s of the English coast —sea and rocks—such exquisite work. Air. Walsh’s pictures were fine too: he really excels in boats.’’ MADAME MENERE RETURNS. Mr and Madame Alencre, the wellknown furriers, have returned to Now Zealand from abroad with several thousand pounds worth of thp very latest, fashions in furs for which they hold the sole Now Zealand Agency, nn.t which they will he showing in this district very shortly.*