MUSIC RECITAL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19135, 2 October 1936, Page 3

MUSIC RECITAL

COMPOSER'S VISIT

LONDON EXAMINER

PERFORMANCE LAST NIGHT

A Gisborne audience was privileged last night to henr a pianoforte and vocal recital by a well-known English composer, Mr. Michael Head, who is visiting Gisbomo to conduct examinations for the Royal Colleges of Music, London. The recital was arranged by tho Gisborne Music Teachers' "Association, and a gathering of teachers, their pupils and "friends totalling about 150 assembled in Chrisp's showroom. Mr. Head was given a cordial reception, particularly for the singing of two groups of his own songß-. He commenced first with a group of songs by Purcell, Hahn and da. Falla, playing his own accompaniment, and then played from Busoni, Bach and Chopin, before concluding tho first section of the programmo with a group of his own songs. Tho next group of pianoforte solos was taken from Debussey and Coossens, and Mr. Head concluded with some songs of his own composition, two of which lie. sang unaccompanied. Responding to an insistent encore, he sang "Tho Singer," one of tho two unaccompanied numbers, the words of which, he explained, were written by a girl of 14 years. Before, the performance commenced, Mr. Head was introduced to the audience by Mr. J. Carrington Wcllby, president of tlie. Teachers' Association, who mentioned that Mr. Head's songs were sung throughout- the world, and it was a, plcasuro indeed to bo able to hear a recital.by one whose works were so well known.

The numbers presented by Mr. Head were :

Songs.—" Dido's Lament" from "Dido and Aliens," Purcell; "There';.' Not a Swain on flic Plain," Pnreell; "D'Unc Prison," Rcnaldo Hahn; "AI Pano Mornno" from "Seven Traditional Spanish Songs," Manuel <la- Falla. Pianoforte solos.—" Organ Prelude in F Minor," Bach (arr. Rusoni); "Giguo in B Flat Major." Bach ; "Nocturne in C Sharp Minor," Chopin; "Waltz in F. Minor," Chopin; "La Cathedrale Engloutie," Debussey; "The Snow is Dancing," Debussey; "Tho Marionette Show," Eugene Goossens. Songs, own composition.—" The Three Mummers," "Love's Lament," "A Piper," and "The Primt'os'y Gown"; "Nocturne." "Ships of Arcatly" (request). "London Pride" (unaccompanied), "Matron Cat's Song," and "The Singer" (unaccompanied). After the performance, teachers and a- few of their friends were guests of the Teachers' Association at supper in the "Mary Elizabeth" rooms, where those present lind the pleasure of meeting Mr. j Head.