AUCKLAND MUSICAL SOCIETIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13482, 8 May 1907, Page 5

AUCKLAND MUSICAL SOCIETIES.

■■v.- \ r •: • ■•.. Sir, —Not bccause from my youth I hay# been a ?ln;er, nor bwauso I am an old 01member of the Choral Society, do I venture to write you, but bccause the possibility of " tho decline and fail" of that society is a thought intolerable, and because I. am convinced on tho contrary of the possibility of its elevation and expansion into a far nobler association than it is at, present. I do not aisumo to say that it has declined, for tho only performance I have attended for tho last three ycari was that of "The Messiah".- on Christmas - Sunday, and it would'be very unfair to pais an unfavourable verdict upon such slight fragmentary evidence. Yet, may I plead fbat elthoustb that performance was excellent under the circumstances, I frankly avow it was depressing to an old vocal "campaigner. Whore was the ** orchestra?" But for. tiio two leading violinists, Hcrr Wie*!aert and Misa Whitelaw, it would have wen practically non est. Of the cliotu*. the contraltos only appeared in becoming force, and whilst tho soprano arid bass soloists sang u only gifted and cultured artistes can, and achieved a. vocal triumph, thi> craving for something more subtle and inspiring than vocalisation was left mi appeased , tht> massive grandeur of Handel's greatest work was dwarfed, in dignity and prophetic power lost—it did hot come as 14 a voiix* from tlio excellent, glory." Sir, tho Choral Society used to to generously and joyously represented on these Christmas Sunday occasions, They used to bo felt less a performance than » Christian service,, and a mutual sympathy and worshipful emotion ran through tho wistful audience and the performers. " When I fee that easN<r reverent crowd looking - up," said the late Mr. Cousins to me, long, lot:g ago, as ho carried his 'cello away from the hail, " 1 feel drawn out, and"! play my very best." In truth, sir, tho rhcracter of the audience Has changed. On tho said Sunday, by far tho largest elomens__ was that of young people, to whom tho chief attraction was Hie thunder of 'iho prophet voice: *'Why Do The Nation*. So Furiously llago Together*" The society i* capable of something incalculably nobler than this. If not, t'wero better to discontinue the Sunday performance. Tho question: "What aro the conditions of its roinspiration and revival?" cannot be fully discussed in your columns; but, permit mo to name ono or two, which seem to mo essential. - M-- . 1. A practical rc-construotion, of tho society, removing tho very appear&no© of a, limited liability company, - who&o chiof concorn is to meet current exponsos and satisfy tho shareholders; tho election of the committee, conductor, : etc.;' by tho performing members; and to this end, a meeting of tho members to frankly and folly discuss : i thos--" and other considerations.

2. - A finor realisation of the aim and purpose of tho society, as a prophet and expon- ' ent of sacred truth ; cherishing " tho best traditions of tho past," yet strenuously striving to surpass them; refusing to partdor to false, popular, taste, but uplifting; its idoals, and constraining tho worship of tho truo and tho divine in music. 3. Tho culture of a larger, warmer cor« diality and sympathy botween tho members, tho conductor, and tho committee;. of a nobler osprit do corps; tho provision" of a visible badgo of membership, to.bo worn at all porforinanof'Sj ;;*oin<}J expression of ap- - preciation on the resignation of old performing .members, particularly ;, of * orchestral leaders; and an annual social gathering or excursion; in brief, a fuller recognition of tho place and function of perform- ' ing<members. '" ' <; - . ■* ■ *4.' A : yet' loftier ' "ambition a " Greater Choral Society—worthy of the " Greater Auckland" yet, to be. A nobler project to ho striven for and achieved. "Now is the acceptable time." Auckland (liko Wales) "is a sea of music." It 3 teachers, votaries, and patrons are I numberless." At tho clone of 1908, tho high-domed Town 1 Hall will crown its architecture, and a spacious and harmonious music hall bo oponod, enriched by tho munificent gift of a. magnifloent; organ. Yet more, the Main Trunk railway will then also bo oponed, and thousands of Southern citizens and 'settlors will flock to . tho Athens of tho North. Now, then, i* tho time to project and.preparo for'a grand musical festival, to celebrate these longwiEhod for consummations, at which one or more now great musical works shall bo performed, and which shall bo tho inaugural of. a triennial festival, on a smaller soalo but similar lines to tho great historio musics I festivals of Birmingham and elsewhere. Auckland has just cause to be proud of its, musical associations, but if the Choral So-' cioty ia to fulfil its supremo vocation,', it cam • only be _by sooting higher inspiration, and • •accomplishing,yet greater things. Cambridge, May 6. \ Edwin Cox,'