MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1247, 2 October 1911, Page 3

MUSIC.

(Br Trebli Clip J "There's music in all things—if men had Their 01 earth is but an echo spheres. -Lord B r ron ' Miss Rene Qucrce. . This cwuing Mfcn . Rene Oueree, tho accomplished young pianist of Wellington, is to be tendered a farewell complimentary concert at the Opera House. She is about to. leave Nov, Zealand for tho great music schools of the Continent, and those who have had the privilcgo of listening to her playing, as wfcll 'as others whose interest in the progress of yotzng New Zealand artists, ought to be at least a matter of national sentiment-of duty even-will wish her well. Wellington people should not allow Miss Quereo to leavo these shores without extending to ter, at ncr concert I.lls evening, a p'ractic-al demonstration o. their interest in an undertaking winch has received tho hearty cnclor.-.cinciH/ of of- CaTreno herself. . •

Municipal Music. The season of tho City Corporation's venture into tho realms of civic aesthetics -the Wellington Municipal Orchestraclosed on Wednesday evening last, with a memorable concert, at which tho cream of tho orchestra's repertoire was included in the. programme. No one will deny that the orchestra, from the standpoint of musical culture, has completely justified itself as an influence for real and lastin" "ood, nor liegrudgo its conductor, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett, the thanks of tho community, not merely for his initial efforts in stirring tho City Council from its apathy in regard to civic aesthetics, but for the conspicuous success with which, ablv - seconded by (Mr. Herbert Blov, he has trained a- very promising band. As for the future, that is for the civic authorities to determine, and in tho settlement of this anxious question the "almighty dollar" will no doubt exert some pressure. As Mr. Barnett himself remarked, during the interval 011 Wednesday evening, it would be found from the history of most organisations of this kind that the first year's operations generally showed a deficit. Owing to tho fact that next to nothing was charged for admission, it was not to be wondered at the expenses somewhat oxeseded the takings. "But," said Mr. Barnett, "I think that one of tho first things promoters of municipal musical enterprise ought to look to should bo that no citizen was debarred from attending on account of the high admission nriccs." One of tho greatest difficulties tno orchestra at present had to contend with was tho lack of wood-wind instruments of tho lowpitch necessary for perfect intonation with tho organ. Many of the instruments now in use were not in accord with ouo another. Perhaps some generous citizens might feel inclined to subscribe .£2OO or .£31)0 to purchase instruments of the correct pitch, and thus delight the orchestra and tho public.

Notes. Tho Royal Choral Society of Wellington is hard at work putting tho touches 011 Cowen's cantata, "Ruth,'' which is to bo sung at the Town Hall on October 20, and rehearsals are being held twice weekly now. A full rehearsal for chorus and orchestra was held last evening, and everything points to a successful performance. The soloists engaged by the society for the performance of tiie cantata aro Mrs. Gower Burns, of Christchurch- (principal soprano), Mrs. Carlyle Free, of Christchurch (contralto), Mr. Sydney Butler, formerly of Glasgow, and now settled in Wnnganui (tenor),.and Mr. C. ll'. Clarkson, of Wellington'(baritone). A second soprano soloist lias still to bo found. The society lias just received from London a full supply of copies of Sir Edward Elgnr's setting of the National Anthem, which it is intended shall be sung as the opening number of tho concert next month. It is expected that the chorus for "Itutli" will number at least 220, assisted by an orchestra of ■Ki members.

Next I'riday evening, October G, the Wellington Musical Union will give a subscription concert, which should ensure for it a largo attendance of nn interested public, for the. programme to be presented is full of promise. There is to bo parformed Hubert Bath's "Wedding of Slion M'Lean," a Scottish ' rhapsody, based upon tho celebrated poem of that name by tho Scottish poet, Robert Buchanan, and produced for the first timo in Sheffield, in October of last year. Bracketed with this number is Elgar's beautiful "Scenes from the Bavarian Highlands," an item which should attract, considerable interest. The third attraction of the programmo is tho appearanco before the Wellington public of Mr. Adolph Szenes, a violinist of whom musical people here have formed great expectations, for lie studied his art under tho ','rcat linbay, his fellow-student being Hubay, jun. . Mr. Szcnra is to play Mendelssohn's concerto for tho violin, fI is Excellency the Governor has signified his intention of being present at the conccrt.