IN MEMORY OF A YOUNG NEW ZEALAND MUSICIAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 43

IN MEMORY OF A YOUNG NEW ZEALAND MUSICIAN.

LONDON, November 20. The name of Master Victor Harris, a promising young musician from New Zealand, who died in London a few months Ago, at the early age of 13, is still affectionately remembered at the Royal Aca-

I demy of Music, where he was a student. The fact that this is so was shown in a practical manner two days ago at a chamber concert by the students of the Royal j Academy. One of the principal novelties j was an " Elegy," written by Mr Frederic j Corder, for 24- violins and organ, especially j as a memorial to the New Zealand lad j (who was a member of Mr Corder's junior orchestra), and the 24- violins were introduced in order that his class-mates oould i all have separate parts in it. No more J

graceful tribute could well have been devised, and Mr Corder has carried out the idea well, for the music that he has written is of unusual charm, and all the critics think and write highly of it. Except for a semi-private production lately, the " Elegy " was heard this week for the first time. The Telegraph says : " The ' Elegy ' is cleverly written, the body of sound being at times full and rich, while the entry of the organ toward the close, with its low chords and pedal notes, offers

an impressive contrast ; in the peaceful coda is introduced on high notes of the violins the ' Dresden Amen,' Mr Corder intended his music to suggest ' thoughts of earthly strife and heavenly rest,' and this it does most convincingly. An excellent performance, under the direction of the composer, was given by seven professors — Meesrs Josef Blaha, Philip Cathie, Spenser Dyke, Alfred Gibson, W. Frye Parker, Haus Wessely, and Louis Zimmerman — and 17 students." The Times speaks well

of the composition, and concludes : "At the end the introduction of the ' Dresden Amen,' played by the violins antiphonally (those on the left of the conductor being answered by those on the right) makes an impressive ending, and does much to restore the impression of sinoerity." New Zealanders will remember that the late Mr Seddon took a keen interest in the progress of the promising New ZeaJapd lad. All present remained standing while the " Elegy " was being plajed.