SHAKESPERE AND MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14145, 21 August 1909, Page 4

SHAKESPERE AND MUSIC.

Speaking on tho subject of " Shakespere and Music" to tho students of the Training College at Wellington, Mr. Robert Parker said tho music in the plays was one point of evidence against the Baconiau theory as to their authorship. Shakespere's intimate knowledge of music, and the characteristics of musical instruments, was demonstrated by innumerable passages in his plays. No writer, said Mr. Parker, had so accurately described tho various instruments. In his description of tho bassoon, his phrase, " the loud and deep bassoon" was faithful in expression. Shakespere's genius in . this respect was in striking contrast to many other great writers, who wore frequently guilty of the most absurd solecisms in their references to music and musical instruments. All Shakespere's songs were expressed tritely, and constructed on the exact rhythm and " lilt" appropriate to tho ideas intended to be convoyed. In this Shakespere excelled. The lecturer also dealt interestingly I with i certain settings by noted composers of Shakespere's songs, and mentioned that of modern musicians none had so characterictically interpreted the author as the late Sir Arthur Sullivan had done. -'..... ■:'.'