MUSIC

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1936, Page 6

MUSIC

(To the Editor). Sir, —There was a-time, “long, long ago,” when the pipes of Pan or tlit lute of Orpheus attorded a greater sexappeal than that given to literature by Elindr -Glyn, or than the savage, syncupated, saxophonie compound of meloj Uious discords, called modern jazz. Uv no longer sing, but croon and yodel 1 Radio sets are now more expensive than grand pianos, for we refuse tu play, but listeu-in! The home or public concert has passed with, the legitimate theatre, and we are becoming increase ingly moon-struck with tiie fiercely glamorous light that beats on Hollywood.

Our youth are convinced that the greatest hero of the twentieth century is Don Bradman; and our girls proclaim, as the super-heroine of the ages, the under-dressed, over-painted, powdered, plucked, manicured, hair-dyed-frizzed-bobbed-waved, superfluous, supercilious, super-married, underfed, oversalaried, overstrung, over-estimated, not understood, stream-lined, massaged miracle of glamour and chic; to wit, the modern Salome of the silver screen!-

But, why snake an admonitory 1 finger at the busy public so happily engrossed in bridge, radio, talkie and tap? To

wean ourselves irom such pleasures would be an herculean tasisv Yet, surely, for eight evenings in the three hundred and sixty-five, (or six), one may, without impertinence, plead the cause oi grea t and beautiful music I Even if variety, which is the spice of life, were the only claim, it should not fail to appeal. To lack a society devoted to the cultivation and spread of good music would appear to denote a degeneracy in taste and culture; but to ignore such a society, when one actually exists, is a civic shame. Rather more than a year ago, the

Hokitika Musical Society held its inaugural meeting, and was the first of. its kind so instituted in New Zealand. It held four recitals, which were wm-. ducted by the most talented, visiting artists, who provided oeautiful music, both instrumental and vocal, and both' classical and modern. . Moreover, interim local evenings were J held, during which locturettes preced--1 ed the presentation of music represent-

ative of various standard 'composers

Artists from Hokitika and Greymouth contributed to these entertainments, which were instructive, interesting and enjoyable. The year’s work concluded with a rather ambitious and meritorious performance of “Maritana”, in which every a!vailable member of the Society took part. The present year’s programme of

work began- with a vocal and harp recital by a; clever and dainty lady from the distant, and fairy isles of the Hebrides. She sang the simple, heartrending melodies of her sea-girt home, and her audience enjoyed- an experience unparallelled in local, musical history. Last week, a local evening was held. The programme was arranged by two prominent members of the Society s committee —Miss Aniie Duff—who is one of the glories of \\ estland, and may be regarded as Scotland’s greatest gift to the West Coast —and the Rev. A. Carr, who contributed preliminary, instructive and interesting lectufettes on the lives of four great musical composers, whose musical genius wa s pleasingly illustrated by local vocalists. Such, Mr Editor,—without encroaching unduly on your space—is a brief account of the history of, and the atmosphere that surrounds, the Hokitika Musical Society. Is it too much to claim that, within its powers, it deser-

ves the support of every lover of music i Is it too much to hope that it may gain that support? I am etc. P.F.M. Hokitika, June 12, 1936,