MUSICAL DISCRIMINATION

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 26 September 1927, Page 5

MUSICAL DISCRIMINATION

IGNAZ FRIEDMAN RETURNS NOT IN ACCORD WITH PADEREWSKI (Special to "Tribune.”) Auckland, Sept. 26 Ignaz Friedman, the famous pianist, who returned to New Zealand to-day by the Niagara, would not. echo the opinion of Paderewski, his distinguished compatriot, tn regard to the musical taste of New Zealanders. “Though 1 have the highest regard for Mr. Paderewski as a man, as a statesman, and as a musician, I do not feel that visiting artists should make such statements,” declared Friedman. The attention of Friedman had been drawn to Paderewski’s declaration in New York that Now Zealanders were more musical than the Australians. "There are many things that an artist feels,” Friedman pointed out. “but which he cannot express. I do not think it is the province of distinguished visitors to make these comparisons.’ Both in New Zealand and in Australia the pianist was most impressed at the youthful musical talent offering, especially in regard to singers. INSUFFICIENCY OF PROFESSIONALS. “But the trouble with New Zealand particularly.” h e said “is that there are insufficient professionals in the country. There are not enough really good all-round musicians." Friedman was convinced that a galaxy of seven stars of the musical firmament was far too .much tor either New Zealand or Australia “Of course, it is all very well for students to hear different interpretations of famous works bv different well known exponents,’’ be said, “but when all is said and done we are really a ‘coming-and-going’ element, and the musical soul should be cultivated on the spot.”

FAR TOO MANY VISITING ARTISTS. There had been far too many visiting artists within the last few months, he added and there were far too many commercial enterprises handling the musical fare presented to New Zealanders and Australians