MUSIC WEEK COMMENCES

Taranaki Daily News, 3 August 1931, Page 9

MUSIC WEEK COMMENCES

“TO STIMULATE INTEREST” SECOND NEW PLYMOUTH FESTIVAL MAYOR AND MINISTER PRESENT. “Music Week” the second was opened auspiciously in New Plymouth yesterday •afternoon with the performance of Haydn’s oratorio “The Creation” under the auspices of the New Plymouth Choral Society. A largo atidience heard the production in the Opera House. Before the oratorio commenced, the Mayor (Mr. 11. V .S. Griffiths) reminded the people that when the question of inaugurating “music week” in New Plymouth last year was being considered there Was a feeling that perhaps interest would not be sustained throughout the whole wbek. The proposal was taken up enthusiastically, however, and the results far exceeded the expectations of the most optimistic. It Wat to be hoped that a similar reward would attend the untiring efforts of those who had organised the present effort. Tlic attehdiricc that afternoon was most gratifying, continued the Mayor; but he hoped the-interest would be continued not only throughout the week- but throughout the ybar. The object of these festivals was not to make money but to stiiiiulrite a desire for good music, particularly among the younger members of .the community. Not only was it aimed to cultivate. a, desire to hear and appreciate music, but to encourage people to take a personal part in its production. More music was waiited in the homes; in the churches- and throughout the comiritinity. Music bad a stimulating effect botli consciously and uneonscioiisly. King Saul when troubled in mind Aiid body had been soothed by the strains of David’s•lihrp. New Zealaiiders vybrO passing to-day through troublous tirii'es, and Mr. Griffiths expressed the belief that music, would help’ them tb bear their burdens with greater fortitude. His wish was that the better feelings of one and all should be touched during the week arid that general interest in music would Be stimulated. He ffrgn'd the public to Show its' appreciatioh by giving financial and personal support tb the Societies that were doing their' best to elevate and maintain the standard of music in New Plymouth. ‘ He ' appealed to the community individually tb’ take part in the production of music and thus to show the promoters of the. movement that “music week” had the valuaple results intended. He hoped there would bo many more such festivals. . The Hon. S. G. Smith congratulated those.- responsible for the organisation of this year’s “inusic week” and hoped they would receive the hearty support they, were entitled, to. It always was a pleasure, he. said, for hiin. to escape from his official duties.in Wellingtoii and come ho,me to/New Plymouth for the, week-end, ihpt. this week the pleasure was greatly added to by th 6 fact that he had been invited to attend tlic performance of this ordtbrio.' . JOSEPH HAYDN’S “CREATION” ORATORIO IN THE OPERA HOUSE. LARGE CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA. ' Than Haydn’s immortal,..magnificent’ and triumphant oratorio “The Creation” no more fitting subject could have Ibccn chosen for tile inauguration of the second annual “iiiusic Week” in New Plymouth yesterday' afterhdbh. Time aiid. agriin Since 17(H), in all countries, the mAstbr-coffiposer’s great work has been prbsbiitbd; ybt fibver does it lose its inherent ability to ihspife, or become flat upon the musical palate. To hear it oribe is to become possessed with the compelling desire to hear it twice, thricb, and as niaiiy times as possible. The large atidience in the Opera House yesterday was in a mdod to appreciate the oratorio. Oh tlie stage were 80.. choristers, 20 ihstniffieiithlistiS and three solbists. Abd wlibn' the liiajestic, glorious music of Haydii Began to roll out ovoh thb thedti’b it was apparent that tl'b coilductbr (Mr. R. Laurie Cooper) hid. achieved considerable success in welding thb, choir arid oreliefetra into ail Baj.--: mOniduS whole; TJi'ottglt at tiihcs it sbbmed that sbiiie of tlie voluble wits •being dissipated iii the lipper part of the stage find that sobib of the ptissAgbs lacked the polish one is accustomed to with the smaller but mdre practical choral Society choir, the geiibral effebt was in the main pleasing. One liked thb vigour witli which bleiided voices produced the filial triumphant phrase “and there was light” at the conclusion of the chorus “In the bbgiiinihg.” There was something distinctly inspiring about it. “Despairing, cursing rage” was another coheerted. ntiniber that vividly portrayed the power of Haydh to nihke a picture ih mifeic; Blit it u’bs in tlie glorious pulsing message of “The heavens are telling”

■Part L. *Tlib voices floated on the liquid accompaniment of the strings, rising and falling according to tile inobd Of this splendid composition, but finally gathering Voluiiie and inspiration to conclude wjth tlie grariff climax. The three soloists, Miss Vera Mogiilie (Sopraiib) and Messrs. W. L. Hay (tenor) arid Harold Ackroyd {baritone), cO-operated with the choir effectively in this majestib paean. The remainder of the brdtorio was mostly work for the principals, though the choir did well when, assisted By the soloists; it sang “The. Lord is great.” A creditable pei'forinance was rounded off magnificently with those splendid choruses '‘Achieved is the glorious work” and “Sing the Loi’d ye voices all.” The work of the soloists was appreciated by the audience. Each of theiii had a good deal of singing to do, both 1 individually, together and in conjunc-i tioy With the choir. As a trio they were effective in tae terzetto “Most beautiful, appear” and in “The Lord is Great.”,! Miss Moginie’s most ambitious number was in the air “On mighty pehs” following her recitative “And God said, Let the waters.” Mr. Hay was particularly effective with “And God said, Let there be light” and in his recitative and air in the Second part. Mr. A'ckroyd’s work was of a pleasing quality throughout, notably in the scries of recitatives and airs in the second part. Miss Aileen Horner was a sympathetic accompaniste. Miss E. Dowling was leader of the orchestra. REGIMENTAL BAND CONCERT SECOND EVENT OF MUSIC WEEK. There was a good attendance at an enjoyable concert given by the First Battalion Taranaki Regiment Band in the Opera House last night. The programme, which was the second in tlie New Plymouth Music Week scries, was directed by Lieutenant F. W. G. McLeod. The programme was:—Regimental march, “Colonel Bogey” (arr. McLeod); new hymn, “Cwni Rhondda”; soii<£, “’rhe Lost Chord,” Mr. Jack Quinn (Sullivan) ; Overture, “Balmoral” (Maurice Raynor); song, “Not Undenstoiid,” Mrs. F. (’. Ferry (Houghton); Cornel. “The Paragon.” soloist. Bandsman R. A. Taylor (Sut-

ton); prologue froni “I Bagliacci” (Leoncavallo), Mr. L. Middle week; euphoiiiiihi, “The. Factotuhi,”. froiii “The Barber of Seville” (Rds.siiiij, soloist, Sergt. McEwen; vocal duet, “Watchman! What of the Night (Sargeant), Messrs. L. Middleweek aiid Jack Quinn; cornet, Indian Love Lyrics (Woodforde-Finden), soloist, Corpdriil Nunns; song, “Castilian Lament, Mrs. F. C. Ferry; “Prelude in C Miilor (Rachinaninoff); song, “Reaping” (Coriigsby-Clarke), Mr. Jack Quinn; quickstep, “Rheirifels.”

Tlie valiie of niusic in the life of (lie coiriiiiiinity whs stressed by the Rev. R. B. Gosnell at special services at the Fitzroy Methodist churel; yesterday. The services xvctc very well attended and there was special siiiging by the choir, duets and solos.