LIGHT OPERA COMPOSER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21113, 22 February 1932, Page 10

LIGHT OPERA COMPOSER.

TOUR ROUND THE WORLD. INTEREST IN' MAORI MUSIC. In the course of a world tour, Mr. Rudolph Friml, best known as tha cornposer of "Rose Mario" and -"The Vagabond King." arrived at Auckland by the Mariposa on Saturday. Mr. Friml intends to compose a. "Round the World Symphony" during his travels and for this purpose he has a miniature piano on board the vessel. He will visit China, Japan, India and South Europe and will take a series of pictures with a motion picture camera. These will later be released through a Hollywood compaiiy and the music of the symphony will be adapted to them. Mr. Friml was very much interested in the Maori music that he heard at Rotorua, which he visited at the week-end, and he intends fo devote a very considerable proportion of his symphony to motifs in the Maori, style. The singing of Ano Hato impressed him, and he lias promised to compose several songs for her. "I was a little sorry to find European influence rather prominent in the Maori concert." Mr. Friml added. " The presence of a piano gave a modern touch which marred the simplicity of the lyrics.' In Java, where the native music is also very interesting, the voices were accompanied by native instruments, but, as the Maoris had none, it would be preferable for them to sing unaccompanied." Mr. Friml also found the poi dances exceptionally graceful and rhythmic. He took moving pictures in Rotorua.