MODERN MUSIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22470, 14 July 1936, Page 13

MODERN MUSIC

ATTRACTION OF JAZZ DEVELOPMENT IN BRITAIN LONDON EXAMINER'S VIEWS "A composer who likes jazz," was the description applied to himself by Mr. Michael Head, examiner in New Zealand this year for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, who arrived from Sydney by the Wanganella yesterday to sj>end five months in the Dominion. "1 do like good dance music, particularly if it is well orchestrated, and there is a very high standard of skill displayed in the arrangement of dance music," remarked Mr. Head. "But my opinion of jazz—in a nutshell—is that it is attractive to listen to as far as it goes, but one shouldn't stop there." Commenting upon recent developments in the musical world, Mr. Head said there had been a great revival of interest in modern music in England, and the works of such composers as Vaughan Williams, John Ireland, Arnold Bax, William Walton and Constant Lambert, were becoming increasingly popular. There was hope that England might regain the position of first musical nation in the world that she had held at one time. "Modern music is still in rather an experimental stage as far as composition is concerned," said Mr. Head. "There has been a swing over from the great romantic period that culminated in the works of Wagner. But there is a difficulty in judging the value of inusie written now, as we are so close to the composers." The part played by American composers in raising jazz to a higher level than mere dance music was commented upon by Mr. Head, who said the works of George Gershwin and others were attractive to listen to, but he did not think they had helped to develop music. Mr. Head is well known in England as a versatile musician, and is a singer as well as a pianist and composer. He has given recitals in London, the West Indies and Canada, and has appeared at the Queen's Mall and other London concerts. Also lie has broadcast frequently. singing groups of his own .songs to his own accompaniment. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1919, and six years later was appointed to the staff as a professor of pianoforte. For some years lie has been an examiner for the Royal Schools of Music in the.United Kingdom, and on their behalf has examined in Canada and the West Indies. His principal publications are his songs, many of which are well known. Mr. Head hopes to do concert work and broadcast while in the Dominion. He spent seven weeks in Australia, and gave eight broadcast recitals in the large cities.