BAND GOSSIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5733, 28 November 1896, Page 7

BAND GOSSIP.

FROM FAR AND BEAR.

[By Tomtom.l Stanmore will make a bold bid at Wellington, so will the Engineers. Wliich of the following will win : — Wellington Garrison, Newton (New South Wales), Stanmore and Engineers ? " Pitehpipe " a_ks what is standard pitch in New Zealand and what is the English standard? The first part f will pass, because the pitch of our bands varies considerably. From the Queen's regulations I extract the following, whicli should satisfy my correspondent, and be worthy of note by all : — " fn order to ensure uniformity throughout tho regimental bands of the service, the instruments arc -to be the same pitch as that adopted by tho Philharmonic £.ooi«,fcy." The standard B flat, at Royal .School, Kneller Hall, is — 4793 vibs. at GOdeg ' Fah., agree--ing with- A ■ natiirr.l— 4s..--1-, and C—SMS. Boosey and Co. 's instruments areniade-to this standard pitch. ' Vide D. J. Blakiley's worts. "Zeloso," a West Coast correspondent, sends mo a welcome let-tin*, also copies of the Brunner Ketcs containing a candid criticisr.l on Greymouth bands. It is by a Christchurch b*radsmaii,smd the self-elected censor is decidedly rough in his remarks. Marching, be says, "is worth attention, especially by bands competing in quickstep contests." The Christchurch censor is notentranced with tlio bauds' playing of Wright and Bound's marches ; he damns the various instrumentalists with faint praise, but in the " Gems of Colum'oa" selection he grows moro ploasant iv style and gives' the bassos liberal praite. His closing remarks mo worthy of printing : — " A step should be taken to promote a contest on the Coast amongst West Const bauds. Members would then attend to the essential home practice, antl bo more painstaking in the rendition of their respective parts, and if such meeting of bauds was once inaugurated hew;, it would be tlie making of these musical combinations. This would encourage pla-yeiv, and I guarantee the standard of playing would improve oO per cent, und criticism from a paid judge would have mon* e'i'eet than your humble correspondent's." "Zeloso " adds, in his letter:— "A word or two from jou now iv your 'Bandsmen's Column might do a deal cf good towards furthering the object in view -. and if you see fit to give the 'chariot' a push I am sure West Coast bandsmen will be ever grateful to you." I cannot conceive why the West Coast band contest has hung lire so long*. Fifteen months ago, " Con A more," " Double Bar," and other musical Coasters, informed me that a. contest was on the tapis, but up to date there is no tangible signs of one. Of course, the Brunner disaster had a bad effect generally, still whero* there are so many bands if a few energetic persons would tako tiie contest in hand success* would follow. It ir. not extravagant prise money tliat is needed, but concerted action throughout the Coast by the bandsmen ; a committee of enthusiastic townspeople to assist, and a general desire ancl effort to get the bands together for a contest. The question of judge is neither profound nor expensive • a suitable test piece could be obtained either from Sydney or Melbourne, so, if Coasters ouly make up their minds for a contest they ought to be able to run one that will improve bands from Boss to Nelson borders. Friends ou this side of th c range would chewfully assistwith information. The Association's secretary, Mr M'Lellan, of Dunedin, Mr Griffith 3, of Timaru, and Mr Frank Oakes, of Wellington, would alsy be willing to give any information wanted on contest matters. I trust that ere long I shall have the felicity of recording the fact that practical step 3 have been taken to hold a contest ou the Coast.' "Zeloso" also say 3: — i' All bandsmen are agreed and are unanimous on the subject of a contest for Coast bands. And if we include Westport a total of perhaps ten bands could be got together." That being so the initial steps should not be delayed. " Regimental Marches" forms an interesting subject in a recent issue of the Pall Mall Magazine. Two of tho celebrated marches are said to be " Milanollo," composed during the Austro-ltalian war of 1848-49; and the "Windsor," composed by either Princess Augusta or tho Duchess of Kent, opinion thereon being divided. The regimental march of the Royal Marine Light Infantry is "A Life on the Ocean Wave," an apropos title. Then I note " The Corn Eigs " and the Cheshire Regiments strangely enough hold as favourite '•"Whii Wadna Fecht For Charlie." I extract the following with reference to the old Yorkshire Regiment : — The regimental march of the 14th Foot (the " Old and Bold") now the West Yorkshire Regiment, is the old French revolutionary song, "Ca Ira," which was composed by one Becourt, a side-drummer at the opera in Paris. The origin of its adoption by a British regiment is thus told <. — " When, on May 23, 1793, the Allied Force 3 stormed the French camp at Famars, the 14th, finding the work a little too hot for them, began to fall back, and the prospects of the assailants was but gloomy. The moment was one of supreme j gravity. The English wero losing courage, while the Frenchmen were gaining it, j and were keeping up their spirits with the ' music of the *Ca Ira.' Suddenly a brilliant thought entered the mind of the Colonel of the 14th. He dashed to the . front once more, commanded his band to strike up the revolutionary air, shouted, * Come on lads, and we'll beat 'em to their own damned time !' and headed his regiment to a final and triumphant assault. From that day to iliis the battalions of the West Yorkshire Regiment have played the 'Ca Ira ' as their quickstep. The following is the result of Belle Yue (Manchester) contest: — Black Dike, first 118 points Kingston Mills, second 112 „ Katie?, third ,0!> „ lindley, fourth 101 „ Besses o' the Barn was placed sixth. The test piece was "Gabriella," from Emilio Pizzi'a lyric opera, and was arranged by Charles Godfrey. The attendance was unprecedented — over 80,000 — and the judges were Mr Edwin Binding, inspecting bandmaster of Her Majesty's Royal Navy ; Mr Carl Kiefert, musical director, London ; md Mr G. Jaeger, conductor of the Manchester Orchestra Association. The contest presented some remarkable eatures ; it wns a veritable take-down for fhe " Bessea o' the Barn," who were con- ; idered invincible. In their own County he excitement reached an inordinate eight, and sheaf 3 of letters were mailed 3 the Band News concerning the award. xJlack Dik c was conducted by Mr James Gladnoy, a gentleman whose skill iv musical matters is known throughout the three kingdoms. The remarks from the judges we re exceedingly .flattering to the Dike men, and the rejoicings .of Sir Titus Salt's old band, and its thousands of supporters, knew no bounds. Tho full report of the Belle Vue contest in the Band Newis ia good reading, being written by. Wright and Round's special " Office Boy." The following is an extract : —"After the last band had played, and the judges were summing up, the room was full, packed in fact, all waiting for tho decision. It was generally felt that Black Dike was first. The opinion of most seemed to be that Dike would be first, Wyke second, Besses third, Kingston fourth. Some plnced Kingston second, Besses third, and Wyke fourth; but all seemed pretty well agreed about Dike's position. However, it wns soon all was over, and Dike mounted the stage again. Some said they were going to play ' Beethoven,' some ' Faust,' some * William Tell.' As soon as they started I said, it's ' Tannliauser,' and then all" wanted to borrow a full score to watch the performance. And while the mighty harmonies of Wagner rolled out, all stood as if spellbound. It was quite a relief when we came to a ff., so that we could breathe.. Mr Paley's playing of ' Elizabeth's Prayer' was sublime, ie brought tears to the eyes of this hardened sinner, and Sam Newton's playing of the bass clarionet obbligato (tho fery same obbligato -which Mr Gladney has _ slaved on .he bass clarionet for Halle, for

Truly this is sacred music. Fancy calling this profane music, nnd calling Sankey and Moody music sacred * There is more true religion in that simple strain than in all the stuff Sankey and Moody deluged us with. Thanks, Mr Pnley, you have earned my gratitude. Next conies Sam Newton with his ' Welcome to Tannliauser.' Trombone and cornet join him later, and it just sounds as I have heard it with the Carl Rosa Opera Company, and I havo heard the opera eight times, and hope to hear it eight more. Next Sam Newton sings us Walter's song, .'O, Star of Eve,' and how he sang it ! Next the chant of the ' Young Pilgrims' (cornet and liorns only), followed at once by the funeral chant of the monks. What a gi and contrast! What magnificent effects, grand changes of harmony. Then' Charley Jeft'eri'c-s with his,recitative, 'The Pope's Cnree,' and how nobly he delivers it ! and the basses'! like a roll of thunder', the solo also most dramatically declaimed. Tho pla3'ing of the finale beggars description. The blind at the start of selection were naturally excited (all except Paley), but by the time, they reached the finale they had forgotten all about the first prize and were lost in the music, therefore when the finale was reached they were at their very best, and did not they rollick it out, especially the basses. Why, it was electrifying; imd the thundering, cheer;* that greeted the last chord expressed the pent up feelings of the vast audience exactly."