National Traits

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 2, 4 September 1923, Page 7

National Traits

LIBEL ON SCOTLAND. FRUGAL BUT WARM-HEARTED PEOPLE. "It is said that the Englishman loves his beer and his Bible; that the Irishman does not know what, ho wants and won't he happy till he R ets it; that the Weinman prays on Sunday-and ("prey*") on his neighbours all the week; and that the Scotsman keeps the Sabbath find ©yeiything else he, can lay his hands on."' With these remarks, which wore greeted with hearty laughter, Mr Roland Foster, of the State Consorvatonium, who is judging the vocal section at the Wellington Competition Society's sixth annual festival, precaced his comments on the singing in the Scottish folic songs. He thought the last saying especially was* a libel, as most of those general sayings were although the Scottish nat iional reputation was one of thrift and frugality. One thing he did

know about them a s his his wile would bear him out. Ho took Mrrs Foster to the Old Country four years ago and in her opinion some of the very nicest people they met in London were Scottish folk. They di ; d not get as far as Bonnie Scotland, -.(but the Scottish people with whom "they came in contact they found exo emely kind and warm-hearted, making a stranger feel thoroughly at home. (Hear, hear).

NO SCOTTISH COMPOSEiRS. Ruskin's remarks on truth, simpli city nnd universal application applied to folk Songs of all nations. Although the Scottish nations had not produced a composer of really worldwide distinction, it had a number of celebrated musiciians to its credit, but not one who stood on the same plane as tho great classical men. Nevertheless Scotland had enriched the national treasury of musical art with a large 'number of those beautiful melodies, so simple and appealing, in character so Sweet, to words which everybody could appreciate from the highest to the lowest. It would l>e a very sad day indeed for humanity in general if these beautiful songs were neglected a"d allowed to sink into oblivion. He hoped that in tho schools, amount the children, and amongst adults, these songs would always be cultivated and kept alive. Songs of that character were not so ealy to sing as 'ifc would appear. Sims Reeves, the finest tenor England over produced, equally amazing in opera, oratorio or on the concert platform, expressed the opinion that tho simple ballad was the hardest o!' all to sing, because there was nothing to give an opportunity of displaying the arts and graces. The (finger had to depend on a, simple, natttral way of putting the story forward, which demanded an effortless technique which would not detract from tho music or the delivery of the words.

Tho object of vocal training was not merely the production of musical tounds but expression of fe-:»iinyc, thought and emotion,.mid that which all singers should aim at, cultivation of the ability to tell a story in the most direct and expre: sive way, making use of musical effect to give additional force and emphasis to the wo ds. In the competition which had just taken place, the general st nidard had been much on the same level, and few managed to got a touch of the real Scottish accent. He doubted if one of them could say "A braw, biicht moonlicht nicht the nicht."

Ihe audience laughed heartily as ho pronounced this Scottish twister, but none ventured to try and say it after him.