MUSIC IN DOMINION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 33

MUSIC IN DOMINION.

MR J. MAUGHAN BARNETT ABROAD. LONDON, May 4. Mr J Maughan Barnett has been interviewed by The Musical Times, whose representative, naturally, wanted to know a good deal about the musical world of New Zealand The Wellington City organist wag able to say that he had, during his lengthy residence in the Dominion, seen a marked development in the musical taste of its public. For the organ recitals in the Town Hall many tastes have to be catered for, but during the last few years, remarked Mr Barnett “ it has been a pleasure to see indications of an increased liking for real organ music of the best quality, and as a result I have felt justified in increasing the proportion of such works and making a corresponding reduction in the transcriptions. At one t< me arrangements for popular orchestral works figured largely in my programmes, but I found myself becoming more and more dissatisfied with this type of organ solo, both as player and listener. After all, there is no lack of excellent real organ music to-day, and there is a large and growing public ready to give it a hearing.” As a result of his long experience as city organist, Mr Barnett believes strongly in music being made a subject of municipal enterprise. Relative to possible openings in New Zealand for musicians who wish to leave the Mother Country, Mr Barnett said i* was difficult to advise, save in a general way, but he considered that a capable man, able’ to adapt himself, and above all imbued with someth! :g of the pioneer spirit, should have no difficulay in making a good position for himself. Mr Barnett gave his interviewer some interesting information about the work carried on in New Zealand in connection with recitals and concerts for school children, and that the youthful listeners are Intelligent is gathered from the statement: “ We do not find it necessary to stimulate the attention of the children by singing the chief themes to jingles.”