BY THE DANUBE

Southland Times, Issue 22139, 6 October 1933, Page 5

BY THE DANUBE

FIVE YEARS’ SOJOURN. TE AROHA FAMILY. EXPERIENCES IN AUSTRIA. When Deszo Roland, a handsome Hungarian, landed in New Zealand a quarter of a century ago he little dreamt that before many years had passed he would lose his heart to a New Zealander and become naturalized in that country. Still less did he dream that from this happy union would spring five girls and a boy all exceptionally gifted as musicians. But these things came to pass and in Invercargill to-day are the six youthful members of the Roland family and their mother; and from them a Times reporter learnt of their experiences in Europe since that eventful day five years ago when they decided to sell up their home in Auckland and undergo an extended course of study in the Mecca of musicians, Vienna. The Roland family lived in the pretty little health resort of Te Aroha until their father was appointed continental buyer to a number of New Zealand and Australian firms. On his departure foi' Europe they settled in Auckland. The music which is immanent in all Hungarians soon found expression in these healthy, happy children, and so impressed with their ability were prominent touring musicians that they constantly besought Mrs Roland if it was at all possible to take them to Europe to study. There came a day when the postmen brought a momentous letter from Mr Roland stating that all arrangements had been made for the family’s removal to his homeland. Bidding au revoir to New Zealand they sailed via Suez to Naples, thence by train to lovely Budapest. Vienna was at the time of their arrival in a very disturbed state, so for six months they made holiday in Hungary, camping for many weeks beside the “Blue Danube” about which they had read and heard so much. Though in places where it flowed through cities its waters were not true to repute, in the open spaces it was indeed the beautiful, romantic river of their dreams. The only drawback to their months of leisure was their ignorance of the language, for in New Zealand they had spoken nothing else but English. However, they devoted much time to acquiring Hungarian and ere long had mastered its difficulties.

Then came Vienna. The carefree existence led beside the Danube gave place to serious study, but so much did they love music and so keen were they on learning everything that was to be learnt in the home of music that they never once grew weary or let their interest flag, not even when they found it necessary to acquire another language, German being spoken in Vienna rather than Hungarian. As students at the conservatorium they were able to attend all concerts and operas, hearing the greatest artists in the world. Their master was Professor Rudolph Malcher, a great friend of Kreisler, and first violinist in the famous symphony orchestra of which he vzas leader. They were also privileged to undertake special study with Johann Strauss, a grandson of the famous composer, and had the honour of playing at the Strauss celebrations. They also met Madame Kreisler who was very interested in their progress. Hearing several concerts daily, studying in apartments which overlooked the garden in which the immortal Beethoven composed many of his sonatas, the six young New Zealanders blossomed, in this atmosphere so redolent with music, into instrumentalists of high standing. They also grew to love the beautiful city in which ther aspirations Were being realized. They even became acclimatized to its customs, so different from those obtaining in New Zealand. For instance, no one in Vienna thinks of going to bed before midnight and no one thinks of dining until about 8 p.m. The Viennese gets up about 8 a.m., has a light breakfast followed usually by a “fork breakfast” and hour and a half later, closes up his shop from noon till two during which time he lunches and sleeps, visits coffee houses from four till seven, dines and spends the rest of the evening at a concert or the opera. The highly disturbed state of Austria caused the Rolands to leave for London where they were welcomed by the Chemiavskys and where they performed at a number of functions and at concerts. It was, however, the end of the London season, so Mrs Roland accepted the advice 'of the Chemiavskys and sailed for New Zealand to make a tour of the Dominion before returning to Vienna to complete the musical education of her talented children. The leader of the sextette is Max, a tall boy of 14 who handles his violin with consummate artistry. When he was four he was taken to hear a violinist. He listened as if in a trance and when he got home he seized a knife and began using it as if it were a bow. Thereafter mealtimes served chiefly as an excuse for drawing a knife across an imaginary bow, but he evidently found time to eat also, for there is nothing stunted about his growth. The ages of his five sisters range from 11 to 19, the eldest being the pianist and the youngest a ’cellist of great promise. Two of the others are violinists and another ’cellist completes the happy family. _____