OUR MUSIC—A LOSS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1570, 14 October 1912, Page 8

OUR MUSIC—A LOSS.

MR. MAUGHAN BARNETT, •LEAVING HERE FOR AUCKLAND. It will bo learned with regret tint Mr. ,T. Maughan Barnett, city organist, organist of St. John's Church, and conductor of the Royal Choral Society, has decided to leave Wellington and take up liis residence in Auckland, where lie has been appointed city organist at a salary of JMOO a year. About six months ago the committee appointed by the Auckland City Council invited applicants for tho position, and about six or eight New Zealand organists entered the lists, and in due course were called upon to show their quality on the grand organ in the Auckland Town Hall, presented by Mr. Henry Brett, of that city. '•

Needles; to say, Mr. Barnett was not among these, but tinco tho scries of reeitals he has been approached, asid as tho result of a special meeting of tho council held on Friday evening it was resolved to offer him the post at tho salary mentioned, which Mr. Barnett formally accepted on Saturday morning. Auckland's gain is distinctly Wellington's loss. There are not many really good organists in Now Zealand,-and none are better than .Mr. Barnett, whoso place in our city will bo very difficult to till indeed. Not only is ho by far the ablest exponent of the organ in Wellington—or New Zealand for that matterbut his other activities have identified him of recent years with the -very heart of the city's musical life. He is an enthusiast and a relentless workei;. When he came to Wellington lie inaugurated a musical society, which did good work under his baton. Ltitor lie* figured as the musical leader at the opening of tho Wellington Town Hall, when lie organised o chorus of 100 male voices for special work: After tho opening festival, Mr. Barnett was approached by a deputation, aad asked if he would inaugurate a choral society to perform works that would gTace sucn a building as tile Town Hall. Tho outcome was the Koyal Choral Society, probably tho first society of its class in the Dominion. Mr. Barnett has proved a splendid chorus master. Ho is not, perhaps, an inspired orchestral conductor, but lie is extremely able and correct, and the work of the Municipal Orchestra initiated by him, in the face of opposition, is proof of- his skill in that department. He is a brilliant pianist, but does not seek the platform to show it. Indeed, all his public appearances in Wellington for years past have been cither as on organist or conductor. In the.old days ho was conductor', for tho Wellington Operatic' Society (in succession to the late Mr. Tallis Trimnell) and was associated with such operas as "The Yeoman of the Guard," "Dorothy," "lolantlie," "The Grand Duke," "The "Gondoliers," "Princess Ida," and "Euddigoro." Tho defunct Orchestral Society was another of his one-timo charges. St. John's Church was really responsible for his coining to Wellington. Ho succeeded Mr. Magnus Peterson as organist and choirmaster there, and his work in that capacity has always been greatly appreciated. As a teacher of more advanced, pianoforto students,- he has never lacked' a full list of pupils. Ho is opposed to the principle of examinations and competitions, on tho score that cram is restrictive of tho right development of those artistic and technical qualities which go to make a good player. It was pure chance which brought Mr. Barnett to this part of the world" in tho first instance. After studying the piano under Gustave Ernest and the organ under Frank Spinney, he was, in 1852, appointed organist and choirmaster to the Church of King Charles the Martyr at Tunbridgo Wells; where he remained for' seven years, after which ho served in tho same capacity at St. -Mary Magdalen, at St. Leonards-on-Sea. Then owing to illhealth ho .was ordered a long sea voyage and change of climate, 'and went to Hobart as organist of the Cathedral there. He was also conductor of tho Hobart Musical Union. In 1593 he accepted a similar position at Napier, and two years later he was induced to come to Wellington on the death of Mr. Magnus Peter-

Only a few months ago Mr. Barnett visited Aucklund to open the new organ at the Town Hall, and whilst there he and Mr. Henry Brett (tho donor of the organ) beenme mutually enthusiastic on the subject of choral reciprocity between Wellington and Auckland, and it was arranged that next season the Auckland and Wellington Choral Societies aTe to ex-

Tho departure of Ih. B.irnett will leave the Choral Society without a conductor, fit. Church without nn or/rnnish the Mnnicipal_ Orchestra without a director, and Wellington without a city organist.

I feel quite sure my friends in Wellington will recognise," said Mr. Burnett, m conversation with a reporter, "that only exceptional circumstances would influence my decision to relinquish my work here. The offer made me by the Auckland City Council, ill itself compelled my serious consideration. In addition to this, I have felt for some time past that it would be impossible for mo to continue (the strenuous work I have had for many years here, and yet, in loyalty to tho city, I have been unable to decide where the pruning process should commence. It is difficult for me to express the regret that I shall feel, at having to discontinue my work at' St. John's. Church, my municipal duties, the conductorship of the Royal Choral Society, and my teaching, and say good-bye to that band of citizens—my permanent audience—whose loyalty and enthusiastic support has been everything to me 'in my work here. I shall always remember with gratitudo and-affection tho many.kindnesses I have experienced from my professional colleagues in tho City and the valuable assistance that has been jjiven mo ty the performers,' both professional and amateur, who have been under my baton. Last, but not least, I must acknowledge the firm support accorded me by tho press of tho city."