MUSICAL UNION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 1760, 27 May 1913, Page 6

MUSICAL UNION.

RESUSCITATION PROPOSAL.

THE NEW CONDUCTOR. A meeting of the members of tho Wellington Musical Union was held last evening to consider a proposal to resuscitato the -union, which has been in recess for some months, and to meet Heir Carl Saner, who, ( it was -understood, niiuht possibly be invited to take control of tho society. There were about 150 members present. Mr. G. Shirtcliffe, president of the union, was in the chair. He said that no doubt they were all pleased to see such a large attendance, which he assumed, was evidence that although tho Alusical "Union had been in recea-s for some months, it was by no means dead. He hoped it would soon be resuscitated, "ho object of their coming together was to meet Herr Carl Saner, who had come to New Zealand with a groat reputation, and

who had had a very large experience in tho musical world, both on the Continent of Europe and in Australia. When tho union lost the services of its late conductor, Mr. Parker, it had been decided to go into recess until such time as a, successor, to him could be found. Now members were-to bo introduced to Herr Carl Sauer with a view to their possibly extending to him an invitation to act as conductor of the society. Ilerr Sauer was received with enthusiastic applause. He told of his experience in Australia, how he had first como out to Western Australia to adjudicate at a big eisteddfodd at Boulder City. After that he went back to the Continent and for a time conducted grand opera. He had, however, been charmed with Australia and he returned to visit tho Eastern States, and stayed in Melbourne for three years adjudicating incidentally, at some sixteen competitions in all the States. The climate there proved to he more than his health could endure, and lie had to leave for a new field. He had decided finally that ho would not stay at any place , unless he could get an orchestra and

a chorus. He had received an offer to go to America, back to his old *lovo, grand opera, and he had not decided finally yet whether lie would go to America or not. He had, however, been approached by Mr. Shirtcliffe and Mr. Lewis, who had, on behalf of the committee of the union, made him an. offer subject to ratification. This offer lie was minded to accept, and if he did accept it lie would give tile assurance that ho would not be tempted to desert the society by any other offer, however lucrative. He indicated in some detail what his ideas were of how he hoped to control the union, very different, as ho faid, from the methods hitherto adopted. He hoped to get equality and not quantity in the orchestra and chorus; they must all work, and there must be no ornaments. He would have no members who would attend only occasional practices. He had heard at competitions in Christchurcli many young people with undoubted musical talent, and the lack of a conservatorium of music in New Zealand was a serious drawback to many of them. They needed atmosphere in their study, and they could not get it except at some such institution. He hoped by and by to sec a. conservatorium of music established in Wellington. Speaking more particularly to these who migftt be thinking of joining the union, he advised them to be quite sure of their intentions before deciding to resuscitate the society. They must fce prepared to work, and tlioy must co-oper-ate. If they did this they would find him enthusiastic. Ho was satisfied fhat there.was room for two societies in Wellington, but. if lie stayed he hoped there would shortly be only one eocicty. (Lnughter and applause.) Herr Saner then withdrew, and the meeting went into committee to discuss the proposal that members invite HenSaner to take the conductorshin of the society. A motion to this _ effect was carried unanimously.