CORRESPONDENCE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 98, 7 December 1928, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC.

TO THE EDITOR Sir.- —la further reply to Mr Edmondson; J. cannot endorse his condiusion .that bccuJsej the orr. nostras. Ho quotes are small iu proportion to ■tho singers the orchestra is consider (jd secondary. It is easy to endorse hi& remark that the societies ‘‘en-

deavour to keep both in due pro portion to their necessity.’? A small orchestra, properly composed, can carry a large muu.bei; of voices, no doubt. But I cannot recede from my previous statement that in sudh a work as “The Messiah” the instrumental music is evetry bit as important as tlie vocal that the work is vocal-instrumental, and that it would have been written substantially differently it it was purely vocal. 1 do not desire to pose as an authority on the subject cf orchestral music: 1 have merely been endeavouring to explore the subject, feeling sure, however, that something better was possible. In an argument of this description it i* just too possible that people may run away with the idea that the work of the Combined Choirs’ orchestra is being criticisedNothing could ho further from my thought. The orchestra did splendid-

ly and deserve every credit for their work. What I think I have discovered is that the orchestra is not composed to best advantage, and I have made a suggestion as to conclusion of further fiddles which may possibly give the orchestra the extra weight which, on occasions, it requires. I am indebted to Mi; Edmondson lor stepping out, and, by criticism, of my letters, helping me to • come at something concrete. I have no personal interest in winning thy, argument, and will not feel in the slightest hurt if the extra body of tone is obtained by some method (fuitei diffcient to the one I suggest- Perhaps if others besides Mr ‘Edmondson wore to enter the lists we might be able to make a decided forward move m the musical life of "the town. 1° prove* to Mr Edmondson and anybody else interested that I am not an expert in this business, 1 am prepared feely to admit now that reflection since last writing has con " vinced me that the' first brass to bt admitted should be a trombone and

nob a cornet. I am not coming on the scene with a, ready-made system to push down folks’ throats, but n sincere inquirer, genuinely desirous of seeking cut methods of improving the town’s musical activities. 1 do 'hope that Mr Edmondson is not sensitive on the matter or anonymity, and that he will further help me along, without worrying too much . who I rim.—l am, etc. MINIM. ■ Stratford. December sth, 1028.