Soldier Injured

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 226, 23 September 1940, Page 8

Soldier Injured

He pointed out that the United States was in a fortunate position at the present time, as so many of the great artists of the world were seeking sanctuary there. It was hoped that their influence would i..ake its mark on the musical development of America.

He said that the peoples of New Zealand and Australia did not lag behind the United States in most things, but, as far as the world of music was concerned, they were at a disadvantage unless they could spend some time in countries where the music was produced.

"It is like this, you sec," he went on. "People in America who have great capabilities may study French or Italian or some such language, and yet not be able to speak it correctly. On the other hand, a person whose talents are not so great may go to those countries and acquire the language with little difficulty. Well, it is the same with music." He said that he had been visiting Australia for a few months with his wife, who had not seen her relatives there since 1937. During his visit to the Commonwealth he had given 11 concert recitals in Sydney, but he had tried to keep work down to a minimum, as his intention was to have as much of a holiday as possible. "I kept my practice down to the limit, too." he continued, adding that he practised generally much less than his colleagues. While he was talking he kept his eyes on a baby cocker spaniel which staggered blindly about the floor of the cabin. It had been brought from Australia by hU sister, and. dressed in a delightfully absurd blue jacket held by two large safety-pins, the little creature whimpered as it attempted to find the sea legs which had evaded it since it left Svdnev.

Mr. Menuhin said he and his wife had spant a delightful month's holiday with his brother-in-law in the country, and carried away pleasant memories of Australia. He added that he would commence an American tour that would take him through all the principal States on October 21.