THE ROLAND FAMILY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21450, 25 March 1933, Page 10 (Supplement)

THE ROLAND FAMILY

A MUSICAL ADVENTURE FIVE YEARS IN VIENNA Auckland audiences were recently given an opportunity to hear the Roland Sextette, the talented Te Aroha family, who have just returned after spending five years of musical study in Vienna. They have specialised in Strauss and Schubert music, and their repertoire on a New Zealand tour which is expected to commence in about a • fortnight's time, will include many of the more important of the latter's works, as well as lighter selections. The trip was an experience and an adventure which can have fallen to few colonial children. At the time of their removal to a foreign land, the eldest, Olga, was only 13, Margit was 12, Phyllis 11, Elsa nine. Max eight and Stephanie only six. That the venture was well worth while, however, is proved by the musical and general culture they have been able to assimilate. Even the youngest was able to learn German quickly until now Max and Stephanie frequently find themselves thinking in German and consciously translating their thoughts into English. " We went first to live in Budapest, but the language was too much for us altogether there," Max said yesterday. "It was different with German, which seems to come naturally, being in many ways so like English." Life in every respect in the Austrian capital is different frppi New Zealand conditions, but the children found the Viennese such charming people that they lioon recovered from the feeling of isolation in a strange place. Although Vienna has been so badly impoverished by the post-war years, music is still the soul of 'the city, and threo concerts are given daily in the delightful music park, the performances being always given in the open air if conditions are suitable. "At the concerts it is wonderful to see the expression of appreciation and real understanding on the faces of all classes and all ages present," Mrs. Roland said.

The tutors of the children included Madame Weissbergen, Professor Malcher and Professor Wittgenstein, who, although losing one arm in the war, refused to give up his pianoforte work, and perfected a one-hand technique. Ravel wrote one of his most interesting compositions specially for him. Another person who took a great interest in the children was Madame Kreisler, wife of the famous violinist. Their association with Johann Strauss, grandson of the famous nomposer, whose works they specially studied, was also a great honour. He expressed great hopes for their future success.

In spite of having to learn a foreign language, the children attended school in Vienna and soon found they were able to keep abreast of the young Austrians. School-life, however, was very different from what the children had been accustomed to. School began at eight o'clock, an hour at which in winter it was still almost dark. Lessons continued until noon,, when there was a break until two o'clock, school then continuing until five o'clock for the upper classes. TLere were no organised games at school. Long hours were also worked by shop assistants, for almost all Bhops were open until late in the evening and all day Saturday. All places of amusement were open on Sunday, which was the day for organised games of all kinds.

Their plans are as yet unsettled, but Mrs. Roland considers the family has possibilities of making a highly successful concert party. Their greatest difficulty will be the depression.