LECTURE CONCERT

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10963, 27 July 1921, Page 2

LECTURE CONCERT

A. NIGHT WITH , SCHUMANN. Schumann, that wonderful composer of music in the last century, formed the subject of Mr Robert Parker’s fifth lecture concert on the haunts, peculiarities and mannerisms of the past masters of music, at the Art Gallery in Whitmore street last night. There was a generous attendance. Mr Parker spoke of Schumann as the young law Btudent with a burning desire for music. He disliked law and spent his spare time, in fact most of his time, at a restaurant where he could hear good musio and meet musical people. He then started to study harmony and counterpoint, and although possessing wonderful musical ideas, could not express them until later. When he was 20 yearn of age, however, he threw over the law and finally gained the permission of his parents to return to Leipzig and study music. He spoke of Schumann’s contrivance which he invented to hold one of has fingers whilst practising and which eventually rendered the finger useless, preventing him from becoming a virtuoso as a pianist. In lr*J2 he became an editor of a musical journal, hut it was not until 1840 that he married, and then began one of the greatest partnerships which would not find a. parallel in history He died, however, in 18,56, when it was discovered that his death had been due 1.0 masses of bone on the brain, in commenting on the life of Schumann, Mr Parker said he obtained gicat' st-reugr-b of lone by the use of the pedal. His strong individuality in each-of li.rs composition s was not traceable to any other composer. He was noted for his beauty of single phrases and bitter-sweet discords. In all his compositions it would be found that his spirit was essentially human. As illustrations, the following musical items were delightfully interpreted:—“Kredsleriana,” op. 16, Nos. 1,2, 3; “Paganini Caprice” in E Major op. 3; “Bird as Prophet, from op. 82;” “Aspiration op. 12, No. 1J” Mr C. M. Hector. Song cycle, “A Poet’s Love” op. 48, Nos. 1,3, 4 and 7; “A Traveller’s Song,” “Dedication,” “The Two Grenadiers,” Mr Eric Rishworth; “Andante with Variations” for two pianos, op. 46, Mrs C. M. Hector and Mias Williamson. Mass Ava Symons gave a delightful rendering of “Violin Sonata in A Minor, op. 105,” §.nd by special request repeated the “Andante and Finale” from “Medelssdhn’s Violin Concerto.”