CAUSTIC CRITICISM.

Shannon News, 6 November 1925, Page 2

CAUSTIC CRITICISM.

MB BERNARD PAGE’S SCATHING REMARKS. The judge of instrumental music at the Hamilton Competitions (Mi lieiiiard Page) made some scathing remarks aneut the playing in the open piano test on Wednesday. The judge, who it could he seen was worked up to> a high pitch of feeling, stated at the outset that he was exceedingly reluctant to criticise amateurs front the public platform, but in this cases it was his duty, to do so. “Never in my life have 1 heard such an awful standard of work," declared Mr Page, almost passionately. He then proceeded to individualise the various competitors, dealing more in particular with those who had appeared during the day sessions. One entrant, according to Mr Page, sauntered out leisurely and played the lovely minuet of a great living composer m a manner that was an insult to die judge, the audience, the society, and the composer niniself. His ati.uide as he turned around to the audience seemed fairly to shout “Look at me —ft doesn’t matter about listening to me!” “But l'or the fad that two or three competitors were to follow,” added tile judge, “I would have sounded the bell and whisked him oil the stage.” Several of the other competitors were subjects of similar ruthless criticism: One entrant in particular, said the judge, appeared toi lfe under the impression tiiat he was playing in a jazz orchestra. (Laughter).

A gold medal was offered for competition in this class, hut the judge said that he would not consider iwarding it. “II one ot; these, competitors were to don the medal,” averred Mr Page, “he or she would be taken either as a liar or an imposter, while 1 should go down in musical history as a fool 1.” i

Even then Mr Page had not finished vvith the unfortunate competitors. He ,ltold the audience that it would be misrepresentation to award a first prize, and a second award only would je given. This would go to a girl who had played her piece with as much effectiveness as her technique would allow. —Waikato. Times.