MEMOIRS OF A MUSICIAN

Southland Times, Issue 18927, 28 April 1923, Page 8

MEMOIRS OF A MUSICIAN

(By “Eupho.”) Part X. “ I heard the universal choir. The Sons of Light exalt their Sire With universal song, Earth’s lowliest and loudest nctes, Her million times ten million throats Exalt Him loud and long, And lips and lungs and tongues of Grace From every part and every place Within the shining of His face, The universal throng.” —Ralph Hodgson. Music is certainly a universal language, and knows no nationality. There are differences and distinctions, but it is a superficial matter, because in every case the musician appeals to the musician. In Italian music we have melody, in German music atmosphere, but both are essential to our pleasure and both arc accorded welcome with enthusiasm. But now we enter the year 1889, and on February 13 there is a cricket club concert in Ramsay’s Hall when the orchestra gave ‘Ttaliana in Algeria.” At this concert Mr W. V. Siddall played a cornet solo and Mr Alex. Ferguson a euphonium solo entitled ‘ Sehnsucht.” On February 26, 27, and 28 the Operatic Society performed Gilbert and Sullivan’s “Patience” at the same hall, when Mr W. J. Morrish conducted. This famous comic opera, which was first produced at. the Savoy, London, on z\pril 23, 1881, was a satire on the craze for aestheticism of that day. The most famous character of the opera being Bunthorne, who wore a velvet suit and a lily. But Bunthorne has a rival in the poet Grosvenor, who is also a gifted ladies’ man. The opening performance was given on Tuesday evening, and a crowded house reflected credit on the secretary, Mr C. Gilbertson, lhe audience expected something pretty good, and were not to be disappointed. The orchestra was as follows:—Mr W. J. Morrish (conductor), Miss Findlay (piano), Dr McLeod and J. McGregor (Ist violins), Mr F.

Lillicrap (clarionet), Mr R. F. Haybittie (Ist cornet), Miss Dickenson and Mr Featherstone (2nd violins), Mr C. Steans (2nd cornet), Mr Alex. Ferguson (bass), and Mr D. Black (trombone). The accompaniments were played with gcod taste. As Patience, Miss Howell was certainly well cast. Simple, guileless, she sang her songs, especially “Love is a Plaintive Song,” and a duet, “Prithee, Pretty Maiden,” with exquisite sweetness, and faultless enunciation. Miss Innes, as Lady Jane, displayed as good an aptitude for the histrionic art as "she did for effective vocalisation. Her best effort was, “In the Coming By-and-Bye.” This was notable more for its feeling than enunciation. In dialogue this was reversed, for she spoke her lines with a distinctness that was pleasureable, while her appearance was majestically “massive.” Lady Saphire (Miss Little), Lady Angela (Miss Woodward), and Lady Ella (Miss Dyer), did what they were billed to do with credit. Miss Little was especially good, and would appear to advantage in a part requiring emotional display. As Reginald Bunthcrne, Mr J. E. Read was decidedly clever, displaying more than the ability and experience required of amateurs. I certainly think he would have excelled in parts like those of Gaspard, the miser, for he was unique as regards facial expression. As Colonel Calverly, Mr Kiernan was out on his own, though in some of his songs there was not that usual lucidity which is one of the characteristics of his singing. Mr Mac Gibbon, as Archibald Grosvenor, was truly aesthetic. His acting was effective, but I am afraid that his vocalisation wanted more force. Major Murgatroyd, and Lieutenant, the Duke of Dunstable, were assumed by Messrs G. Searle, and L. E. Reade respectively, who filled their places admirably. Indeed, it was a really entertaining show, the dresses being pretty and artistic, and the stage settings very well arranged indeed. The Garrison Band played on the balcony each evening, and did good advertising there. This opera is one of Sir W. S. Gilbert’s best efforts at satire, and he struck hard at some noted men of the day.

The Swiss singers, the Gungfrau Kapella, performed here on March 6, and were a novelty, but they could sing well, and their programmes were well chosen. We could not understand a word, but the lesson of the melodies and their undoubted charm was not lost to us. The Payne family came along on April 19 for three evenings, and starting on May 14, Simonson with his opera company staged “Mantaux No vis”; “Madame Angot”; “The Bohemian Girl”; “Faust”; and “Girofle, Gerofla.” Mr W. J. Morrish, after being organist at St. John’s for seven years, left for Masterton, and a benefit was given on May <2B (after he had left), when the second act of “Patience” formed part of an excellent concert programme. Mr Chas. Gray commenced a class for Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise and part songs on June 8. Mr James Greig, whose daughter is well-known as a local violinist, and who is said to be related to the composer of that name, called a meeting of the Operatic Society on July 3. On the 24th Mr Chas. Gray, on leaving St. Paul’s Choir to take ever St. John’s, was presented with a gold Albert watch and locket. During this month a concert was given at the Gladstone Church, when amongst several good items a notably wellplayed Beethoven trio in G Minor was interpreted by Mrs Carr (pianc), Dr McLeod (violin), and Mr J. J. Zimmer (’cello).

The last-named will be well remembered here as a musician who used tcT give occasional pupils’ concerts and was something of a genuine Victorian. Mr Zimmer (Room) was German on the paternal side and French on the maternal, and came to this country from London as manager for a large sheep-station. The piano, ’cello, French, German, and English literature did not mix too well with sheep dip, so the disillusioned John J. packed up his music and his books, and took rooms in the Crescent Hotel then presided over by Mrs Bond. Here he commenced to teach, to compose, to read, and to live a secluded Bohemian life which permitted everybody into its circle. His seclusion was the love of his own firesiue. Zimmer was a medium-sized man with broad shoulders, and a head of hair and beard in the true Tennysonian tradition. He would talk music or literature for hours, and drink black coffee which he brewed himself as a source of inspiration. Sometimes he gave a lecture entitled “Waves of Sound”; a tribute to music and the masters of music. I think he was a vegetarian, a theosophist, a faith-healer, and several other things; but he was all the time a gentleman and preached a gospel of general culture which we have net even attained to to-day. I have often yarned with J.J., and found him to be well-versed in European music and letters. While he lived in London, he had mixed in the best society, and he felt somewhat stranded out here. Still he bore his exile patiently and made a host cf friends. When he died some years ago the musical fraternity mourned the passing of a kindred spirit. He certainly stood out as a unique personality, a well-loved eccentric.

This year is not a big one in music, but . hows some progress. Mr H. Feldwick, -I R. (the old name for M.P.) was a •_' r himself, and was always ready to ’ the chair at- a concert. Mr 11. J. ’■ was a good actor, and comic singer, ir \\ attie Smith was iust beginning to out in small parts. He became a .e comedian and a useful vocalist. ->nly the Garrison, but the City Band, active, and the latter's members were “ - of several new Boosey instruments - h had just arrived. There was also

• Southland Band. Net bad, is it? Three L.uss bands in the benighted year of 1889, wizen meat waj cheap, wages lo\V, houses I .entiful and slump spelt with capitals. A kcal weekly paper, in informing its readers i at the Garrison Band provided music fcr > - Chrysanthemum Show held this winter, •we guilelessly remarked (hat they “dks ud some excellent music during the :vi, the grand selection (played for the imc in N.Z.) taking very well.” It is amusing eulogium, one not to be I do not think the Garrison had

a selection bearing the title of “the grand,” nor was I aware of the fact, that they “dispersed” their music. The selection referred to was “Donizetti,” which contained some long solos, excellent pianos, and closed with a majestic double ferte. A series of Mendelssohn’s part songs were sung in St. John’s Parsonage on August 19. under Mr Chas. Gray, and proved a delight to a small coterie of musical people. Mr Bulleid, of the firm of Price & Bulleid (new H. & J. Smith’s) died on August 18. He was the chief means of building the band rotunda in Post Office Square, which, besides being a boon to the bands, has also been useful on special occasions as a reception dais when the notable visit the town, as well as a goed place for political or other to speak from. This has been exemplified as late as last week. Gilbert and Sullivan have always ap ; ' pealed to local amateurs, and on September 10 the Operatic Society staged “lolanthe,” with Mr G. A., Read, stage managing; Mr W. V. Siddall, conducting; and Miss Findlay, at the piano. “lolanthe” is said to have written all the fairy sengs, and arranged all the fairy dances. But. she was in banishment a quarter of a century, for she had broken the fairy laws by marrying a mortal. This is a delightful opera, with all the improbabilities an opera should have. It has many witty lines. Surely the snobbishness of Old England, of all old countries, was never better stated— Bow, bew ye lower middle classes, Bow ye tradesmen, bow ye masses. For the mental requirements of public life we find this—“A brain and cerebellum, too, They’ve got to leave that brain outside, And vote just as their leaders tell ’em to.” Of course that’s what they’re there for. But they—the public men—like to think they are second Napoleons when they are merely tailor-made voting machines. Clifton, > our seaside suburb cn the Bluff line, was a thriving centre once—it might have been j anything, like a schoolboy. But when it j goes back instead of forward, people begin ! to think, and sometimes speak—behind its back. Well, probably on account cf a combination of untoward circumstances, Clifton, to put it mildly, is not what it was. It had an annual sports’ meeting, a busy hotel, business from Wocdend, then a big sawmilling siding, etc. But the glory, or at least the optimism, has departed. On October 5, when a concert was given these, ; the Misses Findlay, Waymouth and Mr I Chas. Gray, did not think it in any way undignified to put in an appearance. And i the concert was a success and crowded. | Now to bands, for this month the Garrison ! have a benefit, where the leading artists' take part. Mr J. E. Read is stage manager, Mr W. V. Siddall, conductor. The City Band are getting up a bazaar, and twelve young ladies devote one night each week to sewing. The public ask as usual, “W’here will the cash go?” The bands are begging again—it is a bandy way. Mr T. W. Walker (Tommy) is secretary for the City Band, and is full of pep. Tommy later became Town Clerk. He grew up in the local municipal office and died in harness. His record is surely unique as far as this city is concerned—from office boy to town clerk. Good old Tommy, always of equable temper, he was never flurried, and was never known to utter the harsh word which j bringeth forth high words! But the Southland Band, our third brass band at this time, was this very year to play its last tune, hang its trombone and triangle on a willow tree. A bandmaster was advertised for, but like oranges in winter, Sousas are strangely scarce. The instruments were all sold to the players individually at a 1 price ridiculously under cost. The best of ! the members were absorbed by the other ; bands. Surely the ways of Fortune are i hard. Just after getting lovely new uni- j forms, and so enabled to come out all ■ dolled up like General Jcffre, and a French j guard of honour, they had to wind them- ■ selves up like an ordinary goldmining com- i pany. To-day both the Southland and City ■ Bands are memories of an enterprising past. '■ First Church gave a concert in Ramsay’s | Hall at which Mr Frank Lillicrap played a i claricnet solo, a theme with variations, and Miss Watson officiated at- the piano. This concert was held on October 12. Ramsay’s Hall was busy with a Charity Guild concert on the 14th, when Miss Daisy How’ell sang “Ave Maria”; and Miss Findlay (piano), Mr Chas. Gray (organ), Dr McLeod (violin), and Mr J. J. Zimmer (’cello) assisted. At a Rowing Club concert at Ramsay’s Hall on October 22, Miss Smith sang exceedingly well, Master Willie Ferguson gave a violin solo, “Life, let us Cherish,” and Mr Alex. Ferguson, a euphonium solo, “Alliance Musicale.” Miss Findlay and Mr Chas. Gray were the pianists. A four-night season commencing on November 16 introduced the Seymour-Walshe Opera Company, who performed “The Bohemian Girl”; “Les Cloches de Corneville”; “Girofle, Girofla”; and “Maritana.” This was a fine company and their interpretations were excellent. Mr Seymour played “Ave Maria” by Gcunod on the organ at St. Mary’s CathoDc Church, where Mr Walshe, the tenor, sang “Rend your Hearts,” and “With all your Hearts.” The congregation appreciated these artists who were both heard to splendid advantage in the church. The church was then in Clyde street, and is now used as the Marist Brothers’ school. The school at that time was in Liddel street behind the church. The sole teacher then was Mr Michael Gilfedder, who afterwards became M.P. for Wallace, and is now a judge of the Native Land Court. Mr Gilfedder, who was a student all his life, qualified as a lawyer, and when i past middle age attained a Master of Arts degree. Mr Chas. Gray gave a concert on November 22, when the performers were principally children, his pupils, and the items were chiefly from Mendelssohn’s works. At this concert Mr Frank Lillicrap gave two clarionet solos. Miss Waymouth gave a pianoforte recital on December 18; and Mr Robinson, caretaker of the theatre, was tendered a benefit by the Operatic Society on December 22, when Master Willie Ferguson played the violin solo, “The Last Rose of Summer,” with variations, and Mr Alex. Ferguson performed the euphonium solo, “Jenny Jones,” with variations. Miss Findlay pianist.

At this time the orchestra had practised for a considerable period in an iron shed situated behind Deschler’s Hotel, and is, I believe, still in existence in an altered condition, and occupied by Messrs Folley Bros, bookbinders. As Mr Siddall could not carry len the orchestra on account of business arrangements, it appeared to be in rather a critical, condition. At this stage Mr Alex. Ferguson, who was an enthusiastic member 'of the combination, took over the conduc- | torship and invited the players to his house . for practice. Sometimes a rehearsal would ; be held in Mr Ferguson’s jeweller’s shop, ; then in Dee street, and by careful handling,’ i and the cutting down of expenses such as | rent, etc., the orchestra was kept alive over a critical period of eighteen months cr so. , Old musicians who remember Mr Ferguson’s ■ yeoman service to the cause of orchestral ■ music at this time have ever been ready i to recognise it, and it is with pleasure that 1 take this opportunity to sound his praises I to a new generation which knew not David. •Mr Ferguson taught Mr Wm. Quinn the 1 double bass viol and introduced the popular 1 and capable conductor of First Church and j the Male Choirs into practical orchestral • work. It was later on when Mr Chas. | Gray had developed the vocal side of local I music, that Mr Ferguson relinquished his ccnductorship of the orchestra, both vocalI ists and instrumentalists combining in a | Choral Society, of which Mr Chas. Gray be- ; came conductor. But it was not unt 1 June ,1, 1891, that Mr Gray conducted the ’ Orchestral Union as it was then called, 'these instrumentalists having come to assist | the Choral Society on this occasion. When : one locks back one sees plainly enough Jon small threads great possibilities i have hung, and the orchestra is a case in i point. Even Invercargill, buffeted by so i many slumps, •'nd left for dead on more than one occasion, lifts itself out cf the I mud and up to face seasons of | brighter prosperity than were ever dreamed | of by its oliiv-r citizens. | (To be Continued.)