MUSIC SOCIETY

Wairarapa Daily Times, 29 June 1933, Page 5

MUSIC SOCIETY

GROUP MEETING. V*' y . t There was almost a full attendance v members, nearly forty, of the instrumental group of the British Music Society at the residence of Mrs J. Shearer, Essex Street, last night, when a Brahms evening was held. A brief survey of the composer’s life and .works was given by Mr R. J. Young. After dealing with the composer’s career in an interesting manner, Mr Young pointed out that Brahms was .recognised as a really great musician, and could be placed alongside the great masters, his predecessors, Beethoven, Bach and Mendelssohn. Brahms lived until 1897, and had, therefore, earned the title of the last of the classic masters. Members were then treated to two beautiful pieces arranged for strings, and piano. The quintet was: Violins, Messrs S. /Petersen, W. Candy and Miss Dyer; /cello, Miss I. Donald; piano, Mise Ck Donald. They .were warmly applauded* their two numbers being ■“Hungarian Dance No. 1” and At the piano, Miss Noelene McLaren played a charming little piece,: while Miss C;

Donald gave a: splendid rendering of

the finale of the-CSonata' in F minor. Two- waltzes, Nos.irS and 15, made very attractive duets, piayed by Misses M. Caekay and P. Shearer. Just' as Brahms must be- classed with ich and Beethoven from the instru-

mentalists’ point of view, he must be placed with Schubert and Schumann as one of the greatest song composers,

said Mrs J. Cbnly, who gave an interesting talk on Brahms’ vocal works. Brahms had composed 200 songs, and they could be classed in three divisions—folk songs, love songs and songs of nature. With Miss W. Miller as

accompaniste, Mrs Conly sang examples of each group. After some preliminary remarks by Mr H. B. Massey on the Symphony in (O Minor (Opus 68), a gramophone recording of the last movement of this fine work was given, a fitting conclusion to an enjoyable programme. The group leader stated that they were very much indebted to Mrs T. Jordan for the use of her records. Totes of thanks were passed to the hostess, Mrs Shearer, and to the performers.

u The next evening, which will bp de4|6ted to British music, will be held at •the residenee of Mrs Nicol, Chapel "Street, on Thursday, 20th July.