NATIONAL MUSIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 23 February 1945, Page 3

NATIONAL MUSIC

EFFECT OF MODERN TRENDS j ADDRESS AT ROTARY LUNCHEON ! The marked effect on modem naI tional song and music due to presentday conditions was described by Mr T. J. Kirk-Burnnand, principal of the Nelson School of Music, in an address at the Nelson Rotary Club’s weekly luncheon yesterday. All music was based on folk-lore, folk-dances and folk-songs, said the speaker, and in the great changes which were taking place to-day. there wa.i danger of the folk-music of the nations becoming lost. Even the beautiful German folk-songs were vanishing, being replaced by such songs as the Nazi “Horst Weasel” song, a composition in direct contrast, which, though a good martial tune, had not the same character as the old folk-songs.

Mr Kirk-Burnnand illustrated his lecture by playing on Ihe piano recently composed national songs of GCrrqany. Poland, and Free France, and, by contrast, compositions which were formerly the national songs or anthems of those.countries. The new German song showed a marked martial strain, the new Polish song, reflecting the new story of the country, depicted some joy. something martial and yet some sadness and suppression, and the Free French song, which was intended to replace -the familiar “Marseillaise,” yet bore a striking resemblance to it. The great contribution to modern music being made by composers of the Soviet Union was also commented on by the speaker..

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr Kirk-Burnnand ou the .motion of Rotarian F. Mitchell. President A. Robinson presided at the luncheon and visitors present were Rotarians A. Todd, of Ashburton, and B. King, of Nelson, and formerly of the Hokitika Club, Lieut. C. W. R. Dart, R.A.N., of Melbourne, and Mr R. E. Ladbrook Nelson