MUSIC DEVELOPMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18392, 28 July 1931, Page 10

MUSIC DEVELOPMENT.

HUGO LARSEN’S VIEWS. MEETINGS WITH GREAT ARTISTS. “The bringing together of two such famous artists as Peter Dawson and Mark Ilambourg on one concert tour is a departure which I think is about due in New Zealand, for it has long been doubtful whether the Dominion can continue to support expensive one-man shows.” This is the view of Mr Hugo Larsen, the Danish-Australian entrepreneur, who was In Hamilton yesterday to arrange for the Dawson-llambourg concert here.

Mr Larsen is a widely travelled man with an enormous fund of Information about famous artists the world over. In his bag he carries a number of letters from famous musicians which must be the envy of all collectors of such things. The famous Cortot, the French pianist, the equallyfamous Spanish 'cellist Pablo Casals, the boy ciolin prodigy Yehudi Menuhin, whom Mr Larsen declares is 'the highest paid artist in the world, surpassing Kreisler and Heifetz together by his artistry with the bow, Martinelli, the famous Italian tenor, and numerous other celebrities, not forgetting a noted man in another walk of life with quite a smooth gentlemanly hand —Gene Tunney.

Tenor’s £40,000 Contract. Mr Larsen has heard them all and talked to them all. . He has actually seen the “millionaire tenor,” Martinelii, signing his name to' a contract for a series of concerts which netted him £40,000. Mr Larsen is filled with an enthusiasm for bringing these famous people to Australia. But for the depression some of them would have been here years ago. The Harnbourg and Dawson tour is his first venture in Australia and New Zealand, but he gives the assurance that it will not be his last.

Mr Larsen is filled with an enthusiasm for the musical progress made in America. “The present extent of musical activity in America is truly staggering,” he says. "To call America the Mecca of musicians would give the impression that the musical invasion of that country took the form of a pilgrimage, a temporary visit and a quick return home. But this is not the case. They remain. Amongst the musical notables who have adopted America for better or for worse are Alma Gluck, Zimbalist, John McCormack, Frances Alda, Misclia Elman, Kreisler, Rachmaninoff, Heifetz, Lucrezia Bori, Percy Grainger, and a host of others. It is significant that this great influx of musical genius finds both appreciation and' profit.

Every Town Has Music Club. “It was once said in Germany,” he went on, “that every locality larger than a village boasted its symphony orchestra. While tiiis is as yet far from the truth in America, it is true that almost every community down to the merest village has its music club. These have become so numerous that they have combined into a national federation. This association meets every year to formulate plans and policies and their proceedings are carefully watched by concert managers and artists. Music has attained such monetary proportions in America that. It has attracted the inartistic eye of business organisations and even chambers of commerce. It appears that it is really an Industry like selling motor cars, phonographs and vacuum cleaners. As a career it has acquired a new dignity and respectability. The Philadelphia Orchestra journeys to New York ten times every season'and seats are just as much at a premium as those of Hie baseball and prize tight arenas. The conductor (Mr Strokowski) received £14,009 a year, and in addition £2OOO by the Chamber of Commerce as a token of appreciation.” •'Would the establishment of music clubs in Australia and New' Zealand make the way easier for the concert manager here?” Mr Larsen was asked.

“It certainly would,” he replied, “for at present the manager has to take all the risk. If a long list of music clubs throughout the Dominion could give him some kind of guarantee of their support lie would feel on safer ground in investing from £SOOO to £25,000 In bringing famous artists here. As it is, he lias lo take an outright risk, and In these times of depression lie docs not feel very willing to do so. Another instance of the way money is lavished on music in America is tin new Chicago Opera House, which cost £4,000,000.

A Remarkable Boy Violinist. Mr Larsen during his three years’ tour of the musical centres of America and Europe has negotiated with many famous artists for Australia and New Zealand. “I will handle only artists of international renown,” lie declares, “and I intend lo bring Hi cm lo Australia in their prime. Amongst lliose who will probably visit the antipodes under my management are .1 ohn McCormack. Misclia Elman, Alfred Cortot. Ciiiilliermina Suggia. Hie famous ’cellist, and Yehudi Menuhin. Tho lasi named is a phenomenal hoy violinist, who has been acclaimed in two continents. A child in years, he plays not only with Hie technique of a ripened master, hut with the sublime expression of a super artist. Tho takings at a recent Paris concoct amounted to I lie huge figure of nearly 250.000 francs.

Incidentally Mr Larsen mentioned that another boy prodigy has appeared on the horizon as a violinist. His name is Ruggieri Ricci, aged 9 years. He was found in San Francisco, and has already blossomed forth into a great concert attraction. A wonderful future is predicted for him. Music In Australia and New Zealand. Asked about the future of Australia and New Zealand as musical countries, Mr Larsen replied: “Australia and New Zealand are essentially musicloving countries. Of course, our great distance from the musical hotbeds has caused our development to ho somewhat slow. We have heard r. number of the great artists, and I may say with due modesty, we have produced some of them; but what we need is initiative, and the rousing of leading Australians and New Zealanders to an appreciation of what art means to any country. We need more impressarios who will contrive to bring the world’s best in music to Australia and New Zealand. It is in this capacity that I sincerely hope to be of service, and further the cause of music in our continent and in New Zealand."