Music

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 1 May 1897, Page 540

Music

A RECITAL on the Dresden piano-organ combination instrument was given in Messrs Grace, Clarke and Co.’s premises, Emerson-street, Napier, recently, when there was a crowded audience and numbers of persons were unable to obtain admission. Mr Grace sang Gonnod’s 1 Nazareth ’ with much sweetness and purity, and Sullivan’s • Lost Chord ’ was undertaken by Miss Mabel Millar, while the organ, which pealed in during the concluding part of this song, was heard to great advantage under the clever manipulation of Mr Spackman. A cornet solo by Mr Williams was also included in the programme. A grand concert, in aid of the Indian Famine Relief Fund, was given in the Marine Parade, Napier, by the City Band on the Sth insL, when a large number of people responded to the energetic efforts of the promoters to swell the proceeds. The Band, which was stationed on the Rotunda, performed with its accustomed verve the favourite music of the day, and later on effectively-dressed children took part in a Maypole dance. After the concert the band proceeded to the Council Chambers to meet the Mayor, who thanked the members of it for their assistance, and stated that /470 had been collected before their entertainment, and would now be sent from the people of Hawke’s Bay, whom he thanked for their generosity. Mr Tankard, who replied on behalf of the Band, said that their services were always available for charitable purposes. At a recent rehearsal of a concert in America a large spider came slowly down his silken thread to about the height of the singer’s shoulders, where he hung suspended for a few minutes, and then began tn move up and down in front of the music rack. The second tenor, who was leading the air, soon noticed (says a correspondent of the St. Paul Globe) that the movements of the spider corresponded with the variations of his voice, up and down the scale, and in perfect time. They then began a series of experiments, and found that the spider would ascend or descend about a foot for every octave, and, though the melody was carried ever so lightly, and the bassos thundered in their heaviest tones, the insect could not be deceived, but always followed the leading part accurately and with the precision of a director’s baton. All kinds of songs, from * Down in the Cornfield ’ to * The Bridge,’ were sung to test the ability of the wonderful little being, and each time he came out of the conflict not a beat behind. At last the four voices struck an awful discord, and instantly the spider scurried up his improvised metronome and disappeared in the chimney. An American named Dudley Prescott, and dubbed the ‘Human Brass Band,’ was lately performing in ’Frisco. He imitates everything from a music box np to a megaphone, and his performances have made wonderful hits. Most of the London papers concur in saying that Sir A. C. Mackenzie’s new opera, * His Majesty,’ will have to be severely cut down if it is to be a success. The piece is set in the imaginary Court of Vignoila, a country the architecture of which suggests the perpendicular, with depressed four-centred arches, whilst its costumes are of the most extravagant of the 15th century. A cnrious comic effect was obtained by making all the characters look like a pack of card pictures. Of the character of Ferdinand the King some idea may be obtained from his first song : — I was born upon a Sunday. At the early age of one day. I was Colonel in the Lancers and the wearer of a sword ; And they made me on the Tuesday, which I always call my crnise day. Into Captain of a cruiser, though I couldn't go aboard. Every tort of decorations I received from foreign nations. All the potentates of Europe showered crosses on my head. And before the week was ended I was looking really splendid. Lying tucked with all the orders of my Knighthoods into bed. Thus, let all nations know it—lam painter, playwright, poet; I'm the father of roy country, and that country's greatest son. When I'm sad my subjects falter: but when circumstances alter. I can always set them laughing at what / consider fun. When compared to King or Kaiser. I am greater, better, wiser; I'm to all my brother Sovereigns as infinity to nought. Yet my character's the oddest, for I'm so supremely modest. That I know I never value all my merits as I ought. Apropos to musical examinations, some figures based upon recent reports by the examiners of Trinity College, London, may not be without interest. In the higher divisions for pianists 105 candidates entered for Associateship, of whom three succeeded and forty-one gained a second-class certificate. In singing the passes were 33 per cent., and in second-class theory 56 per cent. There were five aspirants for the degree of Licentiate, and four succeeded. Out of 191 candidates in all departments,

ninety-two, or about 48 percent., satisfied the examiners. The passes at recent local examinations in Australasia were, of senior candidates, 47 per cent. ; of juniors, 80 per cent. There were some schools, however, in which as many as 90 per cent, were successful. These figures are much more satisfactory than some upon which I commented a while ago, though, knowing a little of the average candidate, I am inclined to dissatisfaction with results which show 80 per cent, of passes. In such a case, either the examiners are unduly lenient or the standard of knowledge required is too low. The results in the higher divisions certainly inspire confidence, conveying an impression that a genuine test was prepared and honestly applied. As indicating the advance of English music in Germany, it may be stated that a Quintet for wind instruments, composed by Mr Algernon Ashton, has recently been performed in Cologne with success. The instruments in the score are flute, oboe, clarionet, horn, and bassoon. It is to be hoped that opportunity of hearing this work in the country of its origin will soon arise. There should be plenty of music in Buda-Pesth if it be true that the city contains 120 gipsy bands, numbering 997 performers, thirty-two wind bands, and twenty-one orchestras in which the players are women. The grand total is given as 2,000 musicians in a population of half a million. What a place for the Old Lady of Banbury Cross 1 The orchestra of the Berlin Philharmonic is going on tour this year, according to report, which adds that it will give three concerts in Vienna in April, afterwards proceeding to Paris and London. Bergamo, the birthplace of Donizetti, is collecting documents relating to the career of that composer, and has sent a representative to search Vienna. A committee, headed by Hanslick, has been formed to assist in this matter. The Queen has accepted the dedication to herself of a short Ode, for chorus and orchestra, composed by Mr Cowen in honour of the ‘ Diamond Jubilee.’ This work comes opportunely, in view of demands for appropriate music during the national rejoicings. An Easter benefit concert given in Picton on Saturday evening was completely marred, and the management had to close proceedings, owing to the unmanly conduct of some of the rowing men, who simply would not allow the performers to be beard. Some of the best talent in Otago and Wellington had promised to assist, and Picton people and visitors anticipated a treat, but some of the audience fairly drove people off the stage with jeers and insults. Even ladies with well-known musical ability and favourites of the public were subject to the same unmanly treatment, and were forced to retire. Picton people are always ready to assist in a benefit, but as this is the second year these gentlemen (?) have disgraced themselves in this way, it will be impossible—if these men represent clubs—to get up an entertainment of any kind at Easter. Of course in a larger place the police would put a stop to such proceedings, and thus some of the crews would be non est at the regatta. Some of the items struggled through were the overture, ‘ Nigger Dance,’ Miss Greensili ; ‘ The Blind Girl to Her Harp,’ Miss M. Seymour ; * The Tar’s Farewell,’ and ‘The Death of Nelson,’ Mr Wilmott; • Afton Water,’ and • The Auld Scotch Sangs,’ Miss McCormick ; ‘ Whisper and I Shall Hear,* Mr Riddell ; ‘Marguerite,’ Miss Allen; ‘Land o’ the Leal,’ Miss Howard ; ‘ Queen of the Earth,’ Mr A. B. Ross, of Port Chalmers. Overture, Misses Thompson and Fuller; duet, with violin obligato by Mr A. B. Ross, Messrs Riddelland Platts (Port Chalmers); quartette, ‘Annie Laurie,’ Messrs Ross, Platts, Bauchope, and Riddell. Miss Greensill played the accompaniments in her usual perfect manner, and to the Port Chalmers’ crew in particular, and all the rest of the visiting crews in general, the management owe a hearty vote of thanks. A series of concerts to be given at the opening of the Dunedin Agricultural Hall during the jubilee celebrations are now in course of rehearsal by the Dunedin Orchestral Society. It seems as if New Zealand would be able to lay claim to being the birthplace of a musical prodigy, namely, Miss Vera French, aged eight, granddaughter of Captain Ellis, and grand-niece of Mr George Ellis, ex-Mayor of Napier. This young lady, who formerly resided in Auckland, exhibited an aptitude for music at a very early age indeed, and has for some time been the pupil of Herr Zimmerman and Carl Schmitt She is now in London, where the examining professors at the London Conservatoire of music evinced such interest in her performance, both on the violin and piano, that they have presented her with a scholarship of £3,5 and free tuition for a year. Miss French, who is to appear professionally in about six months, should have a brilliant career before her.