MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1020, 10 July 1930, Page 14

MUSIC

Conservatorium to Aid N.Z. Music

Glancing Ahead — Saturday—Auckland Municipal Band. August 14—Royal Auckland Choir. Alienist 16—Music Week opens. End of August—Backhaus Return Concerts. September 23 (about) —Auckland Choral Society. Coming—Florence Austral.

SUCCESS OF BACKHAUS MR. GRAVESTOCK'S IDEAS The founding of a conservatorium of music and a chair of music at the Auckland University as a means of raising the standard of music and musical appreciation in New Zealand, or even of preserving the present standard, which he considers good, was suggested by Mr. E. J. Gravestock, entrepreneur for Backhaus and many other famous artists, in an interview with The Sun’s music editor this week.

(By F.1.R.)

Mr. Gravestock admitted that it had often been complained in the last year or so that music in New Zealand was going down hill. “But,” he said, “of course these things go in cycles, and both Mr. Backhaus and 1 are delighted with the reception his Dlaying has had in Auckland. Mr. Backhaus. iof course, never plays down to his audience, and in his recitals here he has played exactly the same music that he would play anywhere in England, on the Continent, or in America. “But he has been greatly' pleased with the close attention with which his playing has been listened to. An artist such as Mr. Backhaus can easily tell how his work is being received, whether it is being properly appreciated, and whether his hearers are following it with understanding. His audiences in the Town Hall have pleased him greatly.” Mr. Gravestock agreed, that it was ridiculous to suppose that people only went to hear Backhaus because they thought it was the correct thing to do. “P eop 1 e don't wait for hours on a cold wet niglu and then pay their five shillings to sit on those seats in the Town Hall because they think it's fashionable,” he remarked. But though New Zealanders were undoubtedly fond of music, and though their taste was being rapidly educated by means of the gramophone, Mr. Gravestock thought that the lack of an official musical authority and the lack of a central organising body was retarding the growth of musical expression and appreciation. He spoke of Melbourne, where there was a conservatorium which had an orchestra of its own, and where there was the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. The students’ orchestra at the conservutorium did invaluable work and played a great part in the musical life of the city. It was composed chiefly of students, with a backbone of professionals and teachers, and gave frequent concerts during the season. Mr. Gravestock also quoted Mr. Backhaus, who believed that, the Stare Conservatorium in Sydney had done an enormous amount of good to music in Australia. BACKHAUS TO RETURN * As a result of the success of the Backhaus season, Mr. Gravestock plans' to bring the pianist back after his tour of the South. He hopes that Backhaus will give further concerts toward the end of August just before he finally leaves New Zealand. Mr Backhaus wishes to see something of the scenery of the Dominion, and in the intervals between his Southern concerts will probably visit Mount Cook, Rotorua and Wairakei. As for the future, Mr. Gravestock was unable to announce any definite plans. His tour with Backhaus wi'l keep him engaged until the end of the year, and for next year, though he has certain artists in view, he has not yet been able,to reach any definite decision. Asked about the possibility of bringing an orchestra under some famous conductor to New Zealand, Mr. Gravestock was doubtful. He agreed that it would be a splendid thing for music in the Dominion, and that it was quite possible that it might be a financial success, but he appeared to think that the difficulties and risks would be too great, and he feared that they might, lemain too great for some time. But he admitted that Australia would offer good support to a famous American or Continental orchestra, and that perhaps New Zealand might not be overlooked if an overseas orchestra visited Australia.

Choral Society’s Plains Although the arrangements are not yet complete it is anticipated that the next performance of the Auckland Choral Society will be given about September 25. The programme will consist mainly of choruses and solos from grand opera, and will include exerpts from Tannhauser, The Flying Dutchman, Lohengrin, Faust, Tales of Hoffmann. Cavalleria Rusticana, and possibly Carmen. It is interesting to see that Wagner, a composer who has been rather passed over in Auckland in the last, few years, may figure largely on the programme.

A TRIUMPH

British Conductor in Cologne SIR THOMAS BEECHAM This year's Cologne Music. Fortnight, held in May, was of special importance to all those interested in the efforts which- are being made to regenerate British music. On the opeing night of the festival, when Wagner’s “Die Meistersinger” was given, the conductor was Sir Thomas Beecham. the first Englishman ever to perform in the Cologne Opera House. According to the correspondents of London newspapers who were present his conducting was magnificent and brought enthusiastic applause from an audience which filled the opera house.

“When Sir Thomas Beecham began the Prelude,” says one notice of the performance, “the orchestra, though attentive to his beat, did not yield him that special tone quality which is so beautiful and personal to himself alone. As the curtain rose on the spacious first act, Beecliam’s influence spread to the stage. Here again one felt that the singers were adjusting themselves to his beat rather than to his interpretation of. the music, but as the climax of the act approached those who knew him could see him preparing for it. At the great moment he suddenly launched liis full power. The effect was indescribable, electric. The climax leapt into splendour like a burst of light. From thence onward the day was hist The Beecham tone began to colour the orchestra, the Beecham phrasing, lyrical, resilient, and strong, drew all the executants into his course. Artists and audience alike surrendered to the spell. Estimates vary as to the number of Beecliam’s recalls, but everyone agrees on eight as the minimum. The triumph was all tire more notable because the percentage of rehearsal time available certainly did not exceed — and perhaps did not even reach—what would be feasible in England for such an occasion.”