BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Age, 19 December 1932, Page 5

BRITISH MUSIC SOCIETY.

RECITAL ON SATURDAY EVENING.

On Saturday evening, members of tho Masterton branch of the British Music Society were entertained at a gramophone recital at the residence of Mrs. Campbell-Heard. The success of the evening demonstrated that so-ealled mechanical music has reached a yery high standard of art. The delightful music which was heard from records lent by Mr. Bennell, of Wellington, could beet be described as perfect reproductions of perfect renderings The personality of the artists is of necessity missing in reproduced music, but on this occasion a restful atmosphere was created by means of cleverly subdued light effects, which made a good background for the music and more or less compensated for the absence of the performers. Mrs. Campbell-Heard introduced each group of records with some reference® to the artists and their music, written in a humorous vein by Mr. Carl Atkinson, of Wellington. The programme commenced with Beethoven’s “Emperor” concertos, played by Schnabel and the London Symphony Orchestra. Schnabel is the greatest living exponent of Beethoven, and the tone he produces from his piano is magnificent. Next came two solos by the great operatic tenor, Gigli, the first from “La Traviata” and the second from “Lucia di Lammermoor.” The nex*. number was an orchestral number “Bolero” (Ravel) and conducted by the composer. Then came three l Brahm’s songs sung by the great German Lie ler singer Gerhardt. Other items were, “Fireworks” (Stravinsky), by a Parisian orchestra, and finally "Cappriccio Italien" (Tschaikowsky) by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. At the conclusion, supper was provided by Mrs. CampbellThe British Music Society is now very firmly established, and has a steadily growing membership. Two large and enthusiastic groups are being formed and it is anticipated that tho coming year will be a very busy one indeed.