“Our Reactions to Music”

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 43, 21 February 1936, Page 11

“Our Reactions to Music”

ADDRESS BY ME J. HOLMES EUtfNICLES. /‘‘lt is difficult to talk about music without becoming deep in paths along which thero is no time to stray in a luncheon interlude," said Mr J. Holmes Kunniclcs, in Introducing his subject, "Our Reactions to Music," to the Business Girls' Club yesterday. The speaker went on to deal with a few facts concerning music as it appealed to, or was received by the listener, explaining that the reactions to the individual wero either intellectual or emotional. To tho great majority music appealed from the emotional side, he said, which was quite correct and of value if tho emotions were analysed. In the reception of music our emotional stato enabled us to say whether it was good or bad. Music had the power to exhalt, to make us happy, moody, or sad; it had its uses for everything wo demanded from it, such as festive music for a festive occasion or funereal when the occasion was solemn. In listening to music even through tho emotions, it could tlius be classified as suitable xo the occasion. Mr Eunniclcs went on to speak of music as a background, when it was more or less hazy, such as that experienced at the pictures. Recently, Wagner’s "Parsifal", had been played by a superb orchestra in one picture house, but the speaker ventured to suggest that 99 per cent of the audience had not been .aware of it because the music was subsidiary to the picture. Unless attention were drawn to the .music it would only eomo in a hazy form—as an accompaniment, to provide the atmosphere. In a similar manner what the organist played in church did not matter so long as ho set the atmosphere for tho service and kept tho emotions directed in a certain way. One point then was that music must have its own. definite purpose and when able to sort out and classify that aim, enjoyment became real. While certain music had the power to excite, it could also produce anger, particularly in the sensitive, when nerves were jabbed by discordant notes. It also brought forth another emotion which was definite action, such as in danco music, enabling the feet to move. Turning to tho intellectual side, Mr Eunuicles said a musician was somewhat apt to be pedantic in his claims of enjoyment because of this intellectual knowledge of tho form of any composition. Certainly an intelligent view of tho make-up of a symphony would add to .the enjoyment, and it was important to know at least the compartments so as not to clap at the wrong place. Mr Runnieles then dealt with the making of music, stressing the fact that it was made up of two of everything. As it rvas in the beginning of time, thero were still only two rhythms, but these may be decorated. Before the 19th century the form of music was irregular and to-day jazz and such-liko music was the re-action to the regular form of the 19th century, the speaker considered. Form in music came from the people of the past who used airs to illustrate their stories. As a large picture needed plenty of subject matter, so a sonata or symphony needed much subject matter requiring trained ears to appreciate the whole. Romantic music, on the other hand, was on the small side and easily enjoyed. More orchestral music was heard to-day, but it was very necessary to distinguish the various instruments to appreciate the beauty o£ their blending. The average person only recognised the violins because they . played the highest part. Mr Runnieles spoke of the value of cooperation in music. It was a selfish idea to enjoy music alone. ‘ ‘ Get community song books and sing for all you are worth,".he said in conclusion. Miss M. Galloway, who presided over the usual largo attendance at Messrs Collinson and Cunninghame’s, introduced the speaker and conveyed the vote of thanks. Visitors welcomed were: Miss McKillian (New South Wales), Misses W. Smythe, H. Owen, P. Galloway, J. Rowntrce, Hadfield, Edwards and N. Nicol. Miss P. Hindle was also welcomed as a new member. There were apologies from Mesdamcs H. Palmer and M. Aitchison and Miss G. Bates.