WEIGHT AND BOUND.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 6

WEIGHT AND BOUND.

Throughout the civilised world the above names, are familiar to musicians. For a number of years the Liverpool firm have provided "parts" for numberless bands of all kinds — wind, stringed or other— and the name-" Eound" can be seen in most music looks, while inaroh cards ever have a goodly share of this well-known writer's excellent productions. Africa, America, India, China— go where you like the two names are known. Maoriland is partial indeed, as every at contest held in this colony one of the pieces has always been obtained from "34, Erskine Street, Liverpoor'—a fact in itself that abundantly proves the quality of the firm's popular arrangements for.opeje.tic and oratorical works.

The thorough knowledge of a band's requirements, and of the suitability of the various instruments for solos and the marvellous combination often obtained, stamps Mr Sound as a gentleman whose knowledge 13 invaluable to brass bands. Take the modest village band or. one of the highest calibre ; both send along to Liverpool, and can have their wants supplied, from the -simplest to the most classical music known. Maorilandera have had "Wagner," "Beethoven," "Eosßini," "El Dorado," ". Verdi," " Weber," " The Tournament," " Schubert " and " Halevy," all of them selections from high-class works. Marches, too, dances, fantasias and a waltz — the ever and justly appreciated " Light and Shade." J£o single out any particular piece as standing in advance of the others would be a vain, task, as bandmasters have various fancies ; but last year the innovation of a full score; shows that the firm are not going astern, but ahead, even in these fin-de--Btede days. To bandmasters through the world the full score innovation has been sincerely welcome; it marks a new era, and redounds to the credit of the firm, hence the increased favour and patronage. Major Gladney Owen, Swift and other illustrious conductors wrote in high terms of praise to the Englishman's Band Journal and testified to the boon conferred by the Liverpool publishers on bandmasters generally. "Halevy" was the first highclass selection accompanied by a printed full score that ever reached the Antipodes. In future conductors will be saved the herculean task of writing them for themselves, and will be thankful.

If bandsmen expended but four shillings per annum on the Brass Band Neius they would obtain much useful knowledge from its pages';-. No : bandroom should be without it, for as an educating medium it stands unrivalled- r

Mr Bound's several years of highly successful arranging has earned for him the sobriquet of "Liverpool Wonder." This year the firm will send out another test — for the Dunedin contest— and English letters say it is "up to the standard," which speaks volumes. The immense business done in each quarter of the globe by this firm is surprising; even in Australia, where local publishers contest vigorously for supremacy, Wright and Bound are to the fore, •whilst in Maoriland they enjoy a monopoly unique indeed. Their News pays special attention to this colony, and recently republished the -history of Halevy, which first appeared in this column, and contributions from New Zealand are not infrequent. Articles bearing on the ethics of "brass band music contain much instructive matter, so. that besides catering for bands in' music, the education of individual bandsmen forms another very notable characteristic of the Erskine Street firm.

For plaitt speaking and driving home unpleasant truths, commend me to the two gentlemen.named above. Their laconic, but eloquent reply to some colonial censors on the "El Dorado" selection did a vast amount of good, and taught some of us a lesson and wounded our dignity! But perhaps we deserved the rebuke. The Liverpool publication condemns or commends as occasion merits, educates, entertains, and does not pander to any section or nation, and to-day enjoys a circulation unequalled by any rival fin band literature.

The number of years Messrs Wright and Bound have been before the musical •world, and their practical identification with brass, band, have had the effect of making their names honoured in all lands and their productions universally liked by bandsmen. Those who have a personal acquaintance with both pronounce them thoroughpaced Englishmen, good fellows and well up to their business. At all prominent contests held in the Old Land thsee famous caterers have always been represented, and of judging at contests have proved their capabilities. Let us hope the celebrated pair will long continue to help bandsmen, and

known superscription "arranged by H, Bound J ' ceases to greet the eyes of bandsmen in all parts of the world.