CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Press, Volume C, Issue 29518, 20 May 1961, Page 9

CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

Publisher Talks Of Composers

“Although most persons consider that the work being done in the field of contemporary music today breaks with tradition this could only apply to the more recent developments in electronic music.” said Mr W. M. Colleran in Christchurch yesterday. Mr Colleran represents a publishing house which makes authoritative editions of serious contemporary music as well as older composers' work. “Very few works have been composed for electronic devices,” said Mr Colleran. “I believe that the composers themselves would be the first to admit that it is not completely successful, but it is a new method of expression which could convey a greater range of experience once composers have fully mastered the potentialities of this medium.”

Mr Colleran said that on the other hand the instrumental works by young composers today come under the the influence of Schoenberg and Webern, who were very much involved in the classical tradition.

“Though Bartok. Schoenberg. Mahler and Webern are important contemporary composers. modern music does not stop with Mahler,” he said. "There is the German, Stockhausen, and the Frenchman. Boulez.” Stockhausen, said Mr Colleran, worked in a radio station in Cologne and had been recognised for his work in the composition of electronic music but had also composed instrumental works. His "Drei Gruppen” was a work for three orchestral groups under different conductors. Its first performance was in London on May 1 this year.

He described Boulez as one of the meet important composers in Europe today. The pieces for which he was best known were “Le Marteau Sans Maitre” and “Improvisations sur Mallarme,” pieces for chamber orchestra and voice which were characterised by great use of percussion instruments.

The publishing house Mr Colleran represents w’as founded in Vienna and now has offices in four main cities in Europe. Mr Colleran comes from the London office. His trip to New Zealand is to foster interest in contemporary music. He intends to see the professors of music at the four universities.

Already on his trip he has visited India, Singapore, Hong Kong. Japan and Australia. On his return trip to England he will visit America. “Japan is the place for contemporary music,” he said.