NEW ZEALANDERS AND MUSIC

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1238, 10 July 1947, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS AND MUSIC

LACK OF BACKGROUND Polish Pianist’s Comment Comment which should prove interesting to Matamata music-lovers was made by Mr. Henryk Mierowskl, a Polish pianist, while in Wellington. Mr. Mierowski stated that New Zealander s did not have the background to absorb music in large quantities over a short period. While he was in Auckland Lili Kraus and the National Orchestra were also there giving performances, and on one occasion Lili Krau s and Mr, Mieroswki had given recitals on the same nigh.tFor about. 19 . consecutive nights Aucklanders had had musical recitals to attend, and it had been too much for them, he said. “ This would not have overwhelmed audience s in coun tries on the Continent.” “ I was most astonished in Auckland when I was told that there were no professional colleges of music in New Zealand,’’ commented Mr. Mierowski “ I would expect -a country of this size to have at least two, on the scale approaching your university colleges.”

Narrow Interest New' Zealanders showed a decided understanding of classical music, he thought, but comparatively, their interest was narrow, and the success of an artist in the country was dependent greatly on publicity, not on the audiences’ own judgment. This might be explained by a lack of musical training, which in other countries was stressed in child education. There seemed to be a gap in the art in New Zealand, but this was to be expected in a young country. This lack of background was indicated in the poor capacity of New Zealand audiences to listen to a quantity of music and in attendances at concerts. In Vienna, where Mr. Mierowski spent several years, though the population was considerably larger than Auckland, the interest in classical music was much greater proportionately than had been exhibited in Auckland.

Vienna, with a population of less than two millions, had a great num : her of concert halls, some very large, that were tilled every night. A population brought up to take an interest in music would support a large number of artists. At present New Zealand was not such a country, he thought. National Orchestra The National Orchestra had received large and interested audiences at all its appearances,' partly, Mr. Mierowski thought, because of New Zealanders’ national pride. “ You could not compare it with other orchestras overseas, some of which had been established for more than 80 years, any more than you could compare Chopin with Beethoven,” he added, “ but I think, in the time, they have achieved a great deal, and Mr. Anderson Tyrer received my congratulations when I met him in Auckland.” Speaking of the work, s he played,

Mr. Mierowski said Chop in liad been propagated in many ways, good and bad, but his music nevertheless remained the most popular. Ilis most popular programme in Auckland was devoted entirely to Chopin. “ Though his most popular pieces are dwelt upon, I could arrange a programme that few would recognise as his work, for in spite of his popularity he is not usually covered widely,” he added.