M. Leon Driver, the Pianist.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIX, Issue 5907, 31 March 1894, Page 4

M. Leon Driver, the Pianist.

Mr Maurice Leon Driver, the wellknown pianist, who gave some concerts in New Plymouth some time since, has written a letter to a friend in Auckland, narrating how he received his appointment as Principal and Dean of the Conservatory of Music of the University of the Pacific, situate in College Park. Santa Clara Cour.ty, California. He says : " As you know, 1 left Auckland intending to set to the World's Fair in Chicago, and as I had written telling the Stein way people I was to arrive by the s.s. Monowai, I, of course, determined not to wait Tong in 'Frisco. I had some letters of introduction here. One was to Mr W. K. Harrison, a wealthy and influential gentleman, who was well known all over the State of California. In dnc course I presented my letter to Mr Harrtso n. and he invited me to dine with him, telling me he had already heard of me from New Zealand people, and he was very anxious to hear me pfay. At the dinner party he had Dr Stewart, an organist, and one of the leaders of music in the State, at the table, besides a violni'st and a vocalist, Mr Donald de V. Graham, a fine baritone siwger. Well, wc had a great deal of talk about musical matters, etc. Subsequently Mr Harrison invited me to the the music room, where there was_ a lovely full concert crand piano of Steinway make. About 300 people assembled, who had been invited by Mr Harrison to hear me play. He introduced me to them all—musicians, artists, medical and busi ness men. all of whom were wealthy and influential. I sat down and played six or seven solos, includinz one by Beethoven. two by Liszt, two by Chopin, and one of my own, the ' Polonaise in F Minor.' I was astonished at the reception I got fmm these Americans. They came up and shook hands with me. saying my technique was wonderful and very marvellous—in fact, said enough to turn my head. To make a long story short, I was eventually x*ke<l to take the position I now occupy—that is, Head Principal and Dean of the Conservatory of Music of the University of the Pacific. There is a professor of the violin. Dr Stewart is pro fessor of vocal instruction and of the organ. He studied under Sir Julius Benedict, the great pianist, for accompaniment ; under Sir Gore Ousely, for harmony, counterpoint, and fuguo; and umter the great organist, Dr Stainer. of London, for the onran. Dr Perkins, the great violinist, studied the violin under Henri Marteau, the great French violinist, in Paris. There are also two assistant teachers for the voice, and I have four assistants in my department. There are nearly 200 students, including vocalists, violinists, and pianists. There is a large pipe organ in the Conservatory and we have 40 pianos in the institution, which I have to hear every day. The din is awful, and it was a little while before I got used to it. "There were applicants from all over California for the positiou I now hold. Ail Germans, too ; some of them graduates from Leipsic and Dresden Conservatoires, I played before the trustees, and was given the place by unanimous vote, as the most qualified for the post. Soma of the students are very clever, and I shall make a great show with ihom at the Midwinter Fair, as the University has been asked to give a concert and be represented there on the 7th of March.. I have given a great many concerts here. I have sent you by this mail my "March Andalusia," just published. It is played everywhere over here, and will be a feature of the Midwinter Fair Concerts, by the band. The University of the Pacific is the oldest institntion in the State great number of prominent men Including barristers, lawyers, and merchants, have graduated from it."