THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18927, 22 April 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC.

The Band Contest. Congratulations to the Band Contest Committee upon the success of the Easter fixture In Hamilton. It was a very enjoyable affair, both to the competitors and the general public. Hamilton, Instead of being the "deserted village” or the "city of the dead ” (whether Hamilton Is a village or city-rests with the viewpoint of the individual!) that it usually is at Easter, was bright and gay, and the result in business turnover and in the more important matter of the dissemination of the cheer germ was considerable. For this the Contest Committee deserves the warmest thanks of the community. There was just one thing that it is hoped will be avoided at future gatherings. When the. bandsmen finished playing in the quickstep competition they congregated at one end of the enclosure, and scores of them rushed over to see the next competing band at one of the turns, thus blocking the view of thousands of spectators. If the bandsmen are allowed to remain In the enclosure they should be forced to seat themselves, so as not to interfere with the view of others. John Brownlee In Oratorio. John Brownlee, the popular baritone, gave three concerts in Christchurch this week. Next week he goes to Dunedin for two special oratorio performances of “The Creation" and “Elijah." He will give a special concert with the Symphony Orchestra in Wellington on May 4, and Raymond Lambert, the gifted pianist, will appear in a pianoforte concerto on tnat occasion. Mark Hambourg Carried to Reoltal. Mark Hambourg, the pianist, who was here last year with Peter Dawson, has just returned to London from India and Ceylon, where he reports having had the most wonderful time. “1 gave a great many recitals," he says, "travelled 5600 miles by rail, and went through the Kyber Pass. If only you could have seen me playing in my shirt sleeves!” At Colombo he had to be carried or. a stretcher from the boat to give his concert. He was vaccinated in the legs against smallpox, and the inoculation affected him rather badly. Hamilton Music Students, V For the first meeting of the 1933 season of the Hamilton Music Students’ Association, on May Ist, it has been found impossible to arrange the hoped-for visit of an Auckland string quintette, so Miss Violet Rucroft has kindly consented to give her piano recital on that night. •Miss Rucroft’s programme will include a Brahms Sonata (included owing to the Brahms centenary this year), a group of classical items, and a group of modern works. There will also be vocal numbers. The recital promises to be very enjoyable.

Jascha Heifetz In New York.

Jascha Heifetz, back from two month's in Central Europe as well ar> Paris and Milan, played in New York on April 5, 7 and 8, as soloist with the under Toscanini at Carnegie Hall. On the third of these occasions the violinist took part in a world-premiere of Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Second concerto, which the Italian composer wrote' for Heifetz.

For his other appearances he was soloist in the violin concerto of Brahms.

11 Elijah ” on Anzao Day.

The oratorio, "Elijah," will be performed in St. Andrew’s Church on Anzac Day, under the direction of Mr. E. H. Apthorp. The role of the prophet will be taken by Mr. Barry Coney (of Auckland), while the other principal parts will be sustained by Mrs. G. Boyes (soprano), Mrs. N. Anderson (contralto) and Mr. J. Battersby (tenor).

About 60 voices will be heard in the chorus numbers.

Maori Tenor for Williamson Company. A Maori tenor, Noho Toki, has accepted an engagement to tour with a Williamson company. I heard this singer at the Rit* supper-concerts in Wellington recently, and thought his work delightful. Not only has he a voice of great, sweetness and appealing quality, but he is very artistic in his renderings, this being particularly noticeable in the manner in which he works in suggestions of hakas and pois in some of his Maori numbers. Half-a-dozen encores were the general rule.

Pianist Appears as Singer. Percy Grainger, pianist, composer and teacher of music, will try his hand at something new (says the New York Times). He will appear as a singer at the New York School for Social Research,. singing some of the folksongs of the North of England and Denmark, of which he has made an extensive study.

Mr Grainger’s appearance will be as guest of Henry Cowell in his series of lecture-demonstrations of the music systems of the world.

Musical Moments. Denis Sheard, tenor, and Lilian Quinn, pianist, will give a concert at Auckland next month. They will have the assistance of Vincent Aspey, violinist.

Ina Bosworth, violinist, formerly ol Hamilton, will be one of the performers at the Brahms Centenary commemoration concert at Auckland on May 7. Mrs Cyril Towsey will be the vocal soloist.

John Brownlee and his party—Mrs. Brownlee, Miss Rita Miller, Mr. Raymond Lambert, and Mr. A. D. Longden—spent three days’ holiday last week in the Lakes district, Southland.

Fred Webber, seen with the Humphrey Bishop and oiher companies some years ago, has joined Hie Frank Neil reveue company in Auckland, giving piano and cornet selections.

Alter a careful review of the position of the line Bohemian orchestral Society, Auckland, Ihe committee has decided to continue activities, provided greater public support is accorded.

York used to consider an acting chap —well, not exactly a red-blooded heman. And certainly not a gentleman. “in England, on the other hand, acting is an honourable profession. A gentleman's job. As well as a man’s job.

"The type of Englishman who takes up acting as his life’s work is most, often like the American chap who goes in for hanking or law. "Wellbred. Well-eViucalcd.”

"For that very reason.” he continued, ’’ an English actor 'is perhaps better equipped ter contribute the necessary polish, finesse and restraint demanded to-day by the new standard of dialogue picturss.”