MAORI MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18803, 26 November 1932, Page 8

MAORI MUSIC.

DIFFICULT TO REPRODUCE. OPERA ICONDUICTOR INTERESTED Signor Wando Aldrovandi, conductor for the Willimason Imperial Grand Opera Company, is deeply interested in Maori music, and being a composer himself, lie bad cherished hopes of introducing some ‘Maori airs to European audiences. But he now realises, after studying the music during his visit to New Zealand, that the piano would not reproduce Ihe third or quarter tones in the Maori scale. Probably no musical instrument would. Signor Aldrovandi told 'a iCHristchurch Sun reporter that bo had promised to write an article on Maori music for the "Gorriere della Sera," Milan’s leading journal. While in Auckland he visited the museum there and was shown specimens of ancient Maori nose flutes. From these and other evidence that he had collected he was convinced that the pre-Euro-pean Maoris had a lonic scale of their own —a scale which, as exemplified in the ancient chants, involved third and perhaps quarter tones. “ Much of Pie alleged Maori music is, 1 believe, an adaptation of Western music, given rhythms which accord with lliose of Iho Maori, but at Ihe back of I!ia 1. my conclusion is lli.it. the unlives did have a music of llicic own, strengthened by Hie fact Ilia t. they have a ready ear for ■music, and a natural love for rhythmical melody,” said Signor Aldrovandi.