DAME CLARA BUTT

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18236, 3 November 1933, Page 3

DAME CLARA BUTT

VIEWS ON BROADCASTING EFFECT ON MUSICAL APPRECIATION SYDNEY. Oct. 2<i. Dame Clara Butt, who arrived in Sydney by the Orontes, said, in an interview, that, for many listeners, radiu had brought music into contempt;. “Broadcasting,” she said, “has in many wavs developed public, appreciation and understanding of music. But there is n reverse aspect to tho picture. When people go to a. concert- to bear an artist, they pay that, artist the compliment of giving attention lo him. When he sings for the wireless they go on with their bridge or conversation. Perhaps, when the solo is nearly finished, someone looks up for a moment and remarks, .‘That’s nice. Who’s that, singingD Such an attitude is destructive of all the finer qualities of musical art. But lam convinced that it will pass. The human presence of the performer is something that, must reassert itself sooner or later. “The influence of phonograph records is not so generally baneful. And the standard of reproduction nowadays X find .truly amazing. During my Sydney concert season I shall make a record at the special wish of the King. For many years, I have been telling influential people in England about the wonderful voices that are to bo heard in this country. I remember King Edward was specially interested when I told him that nowhere else did the National Anthem sound so inspiring as it did in Australia. Now lam determined that King George shall have some idea of the voices brought into his own household. “For the purpose, I have chosen a new song, entitled, ‘The Company of Heaven’ —the words 'by J. D. Whittier and the music by Maurice Besly. I have, for some years now, made a feature at many’ of my concerts of Elgar’s ‘Land of Hope and Glory.’ That song expresses the glorious patriotism of Britain. For this reason, because of its English significance, I had not intended to sing it in America; but audiences there clamored for it so relentlessly that I had to give it to them. The thought then came to me: Was not the world ready for some fine song of wider import, dedicated, not to the British community, but to tho growing spirit of co-operation and understanding amongst all nations? I had hoped that Elgar might write this, too; but tlie responsibility has fallen on Mr Bosley’s ■shoulders. I shall sing the song in Australia for the first time; and the audience at the concert will be asked to join in the singing of the chorus. The record will be made on this occasion. “Another new song I propose to sing this season is an ‘ Epita'ph’—a song written specially for tired women. Strangely enough, I do not, know who the composer is, nor where she lives. The manuscript reached mo in London, amongst the vast piles of music, which are constantly arriving from various sources. It boro the name, “Mary Crocker,’ but no address. I suppose that, if I keep on'singing ‘Epitaph’ long' enough, Mary Crocker will disclose herself, wherever she may be. Meanwhile, I can only say that T consider the work charming.” Dame. Clara Butt is much improved in health since her serious illness. She is remaining on the Orontes until the end of the week, when it leaves for Brisbane. In Brisbane, she will give several concerts in the City Hall; then she will return to Sydney to open a season, about the middle of next month. On this visit, she is not accompanied by Mr Kcnnorloy Rumford. “My busband was dreadfully disappointed at not being able (o come,” she said. “As a rule he is the typical Englishman, and <tyes not care much about travelling far from his own familiar circle. But the one place he does like to visit is Australia. But lie loves the work lie is doing. lie has taken over the direction of a large country club near our own country house, and it keeps him busy.”