MUSIC

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1686, 22 June 1904, Page 48

MUSIC

NOTES BY 6 STRING

Mr Hamilton Hodges attracted lai’ge audiences to the ‘Sydney Street Hall for the three concerts given by him and his wife. The singing of Mr Hodges was as genuinely sympathetic and varied in temperament as ever, and it is still difficult; to say in what he is heard at his best. Whether in the defiant songs of the Freebooter, the strident and too realistic "maniac” song, or an exquisite little trifle like "Forget Me Not,” he seems equally at home. Mrs Hodges has a voice of full power and pleasant quality, but has not the individuality of her husband. At the first of the Hodges concerts, it is worthy of note, one of those most persistent in recalling Mr Hodges was a prominent local musician, who is popularly supposed to have a distinct aversion to encores. Perhaps lie is coming round? It is stated that. Herr Benno Scherek, who is well-known in New Zealand, has accepted a good musical engagement m South Africa, and will not return to Australia for a considerable period.

A charity concert, organised by Madame Melba, was held recently in Queen s Hall, London, for the funds of Queen charlotte’s Hospital. The greeting Mine. Melba received before as well as after her contributions was of the most enthusiastic description, and the famous artist, who had not - appeared on the metropolitan platform since her return from Australia, was evidently delighted to find herself again among old friends.. She gave the "mad scene” from Ambroise Thomas’s “Hamlet” (says the ‘‘Daily Chronicle”) with as much fluency and certainty as when poor Ophelia was m ler Covent Garden repertoire, every note of this acknowledged "show piece” being delivered with clearness and vigour or attack. Later, with Mr Arthur W. Bayne (for the violin obbligato), Mr Henry J. Wood (at the organ), Signorina Sassoii (harp obbligato), and Mr Landon Ronald conducting, Mme. Melba sang with ail Die requisite devotional feeling the familiar Bach-Gounod "Ave Maria,” As the audience thought that the sincerest compliment they could pay. the pruna donna was to demand something more from her, they eventually got as an extra a bright song by Bemberg. Frl. Ternma sang witn her accustomed wealth of dramatic expression Isolde’s "Liebestod;” M. Rsnaud was heard in the "Fag'liacci prologu.6 and a sentiniGntal by M-artinij Herr Alwin SchToeder and Signorina fcassoli played violoncello and harp soli respectively, and the Queen’s Hall orchestra, under Mr H. J. Wood, gave several pieces. Another youthful prodigy has appeared in England, Zranz Von Vecsey, a violinist, aged 11 years. Certainly the critics speak highly of his powers, and it is stated that Joachim himself has said that he plays like a* genius. Ibough, quite unaffected, /the boy is perfectly self-possessed, and his musical perception is astounding. At the conclusion of lus first performance in London the audience pressed forward to the platform to shake his hand, and some obtained his signature upon their, programmes. There appears to be a dearth or writers in the Old Country who can turn out a "ood comic ooera libretto, and to overcome this difficulty the well-known music firm of Chappell and Co., Limited, are offering a substantial money prize tor a suitable work. In a communication to the London press, Messrs Chappell eay:—"The object of offering a prize is to ascertain whether there are not one or two young untried librettists who are capable of doing something new in the direction of an opera book, but who nave not had the opportunity to be heard by managers. It is a fact that we have at present two or three very able young composers regained by ns. who are quite capable of writing good light opera, but wo cannot find any books for them to set to work upon.” The prize is TIOO, with a royalty of JS2 a performance m London, and d£l a performance in the provinces or elsewhere. Competitors must forward their names and addresses under a sealed coyer, and their librettos must be distinguished by a motto. MSS. must be received by September Ist. All MSS. must, be typewritten, and no composer is eligible who has previously had a dramatic work produced on any stage. The return of Dr Joachim to London recently lias brought forth a fresh crop of stories concerning the most famous of living violinists. One of the best is as follows:—"A pupil changed the bowing of a fantasie by Max Bruch, which had been marked in pencil. 'Why do you do that?’, said Dr Joachim. I like my own way best,’ was the student s answer. 'As you please,’ replied Dr Joachim; 'the pencil marks were my own/ and ho proceeded quietly with the lesson” Dr Joachim was a favourite guest of Von Moltke. While the rnusio was going on the old general used to play chess by the fireside, listening intently however, to every note. He boasted that he could follow the music perfectly while giving his mind to the problem on the chessboard. At 10 o clock precisely, music or uo music, Von Moltke marched off to bed, on the call of his faithful valet Wurst.