MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1716, 5 April 1913, Page 5

MUSIC FOR THE PEOPLE.

- ■ , ■ : -$ jflt. MAUGHAN BAR-SETT'S VIEWS. • Auckland's new ' city . organist, Mr. Maughan Barnett,. takes up _ his duties this evening, when he mil give the iirst. of a weekly series of rocitals. . ,In a discussion 'with an Auckland "Herald" representative, as to the . type of music'that.should bo given to the public. Mr. Maiighan.Burnett said that it was very' difficult to please everyone. He considered that Sit'.was his duty, as city organist to try and elovato f the publio tasto for music., , "Organ recitals/ he says, 'are not meant for those who cannot appreciate even tho lighter production of classical and standard composers. Suoh individuals can find .their tastes/fully catered for in picture theatres and elsewhere. Talking of picture theatres, Mr. Maughan Barnett said that their rapid increase and growing popularity was doing much to alienate the publio from good musical recitals. / • . "If," continued tho organist, 'you give the public a programme comprising only tho works of Bach, for instance, not one in 100 would appreciate it or como to a recital again, but if a programme is mado up of selections from tho works of somo of the 'heavier' composers, combined with several lighter tind popular items, tho public will bo attracted by tho latter, and will learn in time to appreciate the former."- . Continuing, Mr.-'Maughan Barnett.said that owners .of jjramaphones, when, first 'they purchased their instruments, usually selected a largo number of light opera records and similar music. Within a month or two they became tired of these, and gradually their collection of records included tho batter-khowu . classical works. In this way their musical education derived great benefit. In just tho samo way wcll-chosen organ recitals .will gradually elevate tho ; publio tasto. Tho organ in the Auckland Town Hall, lie 6aid, is a very fine instrument. Like tho Wellington Town Hall organ, it is by Norman and 80-ird, but tho Auckland ir.strument is slightly the larger of the two.. Tho acoustic properties of the Town Hall 3lr. Barnett lias not yet had the opportunity to study. . Great difficulty is experienced-in building halls with due regard to their acoustic properties. The hall may bo full, half-full, or nearly empty: in each case the acoustics are different. In Wellington tho hanging of ourtains made a,great improvement in tho acoustics, and Mr. Barnett considers that tho same may havo to bo dono in tho Auckland Town Hall.