MUSIC.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 5802, 20 January 1906, Page 10

MUSIC.

NOTES BY ”G STRING/' Miss ACadoioino Wobbe, a young pianist©, who hails from Auckland, gave a private rocital at tho Royal Oak Hotel on Wednesday evening. The programme submitted was of a varied character, aud was greatly appreciated by tho audience, which included a number of musical authorities. Alins Webb, who loams this afternoon to fulfil a Sydney engagement, will probably give u recital in the Town Hall during Easter week. Nicholas Gutty, Hie compoeer of one of tli© novelties at th© last Sheffield Musical Festival, has completed an opera on a Norse subject, which it is understood will be produced by tho Moody-Mannors Lornpuny during their visit to Sheffield tho work commencing the 26th February. Richard Strauss's was to bo produced at tho Opera House, Dresden* on the fHh December. The orchestra for tho occasion was increased to 130.

Tho numerous glowing press references to Miss Amy Castlco in lust week's issue bring to mind the fact that she is studying with Jtauhv in Paris, and recall the account Miss Dolly Castles gave in an interview on her return from Lurope ot this noted “maestro/* She could find no words suflicieutly enthasiastic to dosenbo the dear old man, whom *‘sho simply lovcd.” Uis molhofts elm said wore intensely careful and gradual, f - ntl included numbers of exercises which ho had composed after years of experience. Most of hi. pupils practised in lengthening terms and with softened, not full, voice. Encouraged by the success of the I nil steal competition which he instituted last January. Mr Mark Hambourg has decided to offer another prize to British composers. This lime it is to be for a inanoforU> work of more extended chnraclcr than at tho first competition. Competitors may send in a sonata, fantasia, scherzo, or set of variations to take 10 to in minutes in performance. There will ho fliroo prizes—2o, 10, and 5 guineasTtußßiero Leonearallo is to commence an American tour in October next. He will conduct "T Paglincci,” "La Boheme.’ ".Tarn," “ChaUcrton." and excerpts from his latest opera "Roland von Berlin.’ which he composed for Emperor Milliam.

A private letter received this mail from Now York mentioned (says tho “Sydney Mall”) that, at the office from which it was- written. Oorlirz had called that morning, and had spoken of the impending Kubelik lour which ho is now arranging for Australia. Gorlitz is agent for the fatuous young violinist, so this statement should decide all rumours that the lour has boon abandoned or imstponcd. Kubelik is to travel with quite a retinue of attendants am! business people. At tho Bechstoin Hall. London, on the 15th November, Sir Percy Grainger, tho Australian pianist, gave one of the most successful and enjoyable recitals of (be sca-ron. Australians in nil branches of art have come to the fore, bet no pianist worthy of tho front rank appeared until Mr Percy Grainger, Hie rendering of Brahm’i? variations and fugue on n theme by Handel showed breadth of style and fluency of execution, which was received with enthusiastic applause for its performance. and not ns a martor of personality. ns some of the critics ewer-ad, IVTiv should tho artist bo alluded to as having given pleasure "to his adherents,” and that tlse audience "made much of the young artist f” It is certainly not criticism, and Mr Grainger, whose only drawback is to bo so youthful, is quite able to holt! his own with older pianists, and should bo criticised from that standpoint. The two Norwegian folk songs —haunting melodies—by Groig, wore charmingly rendered with delicacy of touch and fooling. Mr Grainger’s arrangement of Sir Charles Stanford’s "Leprechaun’s Dance,” a delightfully quaint and lively strain, was a direct contrast to the previous number, and showed tho ability of the musician as a composer. Mr Claude Debussy’s "Pagodas” and Mr Cyril Scott’s “LotusLand” wore of tho weird. impression-st school, and would doubtless prove more pleasing on a second hearing. The audience. which filled the hall, paid the artist tho unusual compimont of remaining until the final number, which is usually played to the accompaniment of stamping feet. Mr Grainger has many engagements for the season.

Mischa Elman, the marvellous boy violinift. is to giro a concert in London, on the 3rd May, for the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital, at. Sydney. Mr Daniel Mayer will manage the concert, which is to be made a very fashionable one. Writing in the "Sydney "Mo mine Herald” on Manila. Mr .1, D. Fitzgerald says: —On fine evenings after a long day’s "hustling” all Manila streams out in motor carriage, earromatto, carratela and on foot to promenade round tin drives of the Lnnetta. and listen to the strains of n magnificent native hand. This band is one of the wonders of M.inda, and. indeed, of the East. In Hongkong and Singapore the bands of the native Indian regiments have reached a high degree of efliciency. Rut the ITlipino*. who compose the band, are a musically-gifted race, and those who have heard it piny on the I.unefta under the atiie condnetorship of an American negro. Lieutenant Loving, says that it excels anything that can be heart! in the East, and. for that matter, holds it own in the front rank of the world’w a 'iitary bands. During the St. Louis Exposition. T was told the Trench Carrie Re. nnMicane Band was the first in the competition, the F lipino band second, ami Sanaa’s famous band third. The band has just been taken on tour to the Putted states, ami the manager !n----ffirmed me that it was contemplated that (he tour would include NewZealnnd and Australia. If so, Australians will receive a welcome surprise.

Mr Albert Spalding, the young American violinist, who appeared so successfully at Uio Queen’s Hall recently, is only seventeen. For seven years ho studied with Cbiti. of Florence, and «hen fourteen years of age he went to Bologna and passed tho rigid examination for a diploma aa professor of the violin, receiving forty-eight marks out of a ixxviblo fifty. Only onco before had the diploma been granted to one so young, and that more than 150 years ago to Mozart. Ho subsequently went to Paris, and studied under Lefort. making his debut at tho Nouveau Theatre on Juno 6 with pronounces! success. Although tho young virtuoso devotes much time to study, ho is fond of sports and riding. Composition must bo an unromuncrative occupation when Sir Edward Elgar remarks that up to the present he has only received XU As fid for the performing rights of bin “Enigma" variations. one of the most popular oi ins works.