CONCERT TOURS IN AMERICA

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1931, Page 3

CONCERT TOURS IN AMERICA

MR. S- F- lIOBEN’S EXPERIENCE Mr. Sydney Francis Hoben was .as arrival in New Plymouth last evening. Mr. Hoben will be well remembered from his subscription opera recitals given a few years ago on his arrival from America/ He also appeared before the students of the boys’ and girls’ high schools. The pianist has travelled extensively. Musically educated at the famous Royal Conservatorium of • Music in Leipzig, Germany (founded by Mendelssohn and Schumann), he lived for years in Sydney, where in addition to his musical activities as artist and teacher he was critic of the Sydney Mail, and organist of one of the largest churches. Going to America on a concert tour, he met with success that kept him there for fourteen years. Mr. Hoben speaks enthusiastically of the wonderful interest in music displayed in the United States, and the superb orchestras, mentioning especially the Philadelphia, the New York Symphony, the financial upkeep of which in a number of cases is through the generosity of some music lover. He spoke of the great performances of opera given by the Metropolitan and Chicago opera companies, and the constant opportunity of hearing in concert all the celebrated artists of the day. Money was never spared to get from Europe the most gifted and skilful musicians for orchestra and opera. While Mr. Hoben has travelled all over the States his own concert activities were mainly confined te California, lie making his headquarters at first in Los Angeles and later in . San Francisco. In many of the cities such as Oakland, Pasadena, Santa Barbara, Vancouver, 8.C., and Honolulu he had consecutive seasons for many years. One of the most interesting experiences he had although in this case not at his own concert was an appearance with Mr. John Barrymore at the Country Club at &mta Barbara. The famous actor gave a performance of Sir James Barrie’s ‘‘Pantaloon” for his friends, who included Sir Herbert Tree and Miss Iris Tree, the former of whom was in Hollywood for a screen production of “Macbeth.” The other actors were James Kirkwood and Mr. and Mi’s. Richard Bennett, the parents of Constance and Joan, the screen favourites. Over five hundred guests were invited to the play and ball, and nearly, 100 to a preliminary dinner. Mr. Hoben was engaged for the incidental piano music of “Pantaloon”—all of the high* est class of Schumann, Grieg, Massenet, etc.—for “Pantaloon” is mostly in pantomime. For the ball, a eeven-pieeb orchestra was brought from San Fran*, cisco, 400 miles away. It was a memor* able evening. Before going to America Mr. Hoben came from Sydney to become piano master of Woodford House, Hawke’s Bay, where he remained for four years. Since his return he has been in charge of the music at St. Andrew’s College. Christchurch, for five years, and musical critic of the Christchurch Times.