ON MUNICIPAL MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1944, 30 December 1913, Page 6

ON MUNICIPAL MUSIC

»-= TURNING A NEW LEAF. A PEEP INTO THE FUTURE; [BY "Manwmn'E."] It is urged in some quarters in reference to tho organ recitals being given, by Mr. Page, city organist, that- tho matter of tlio selection of the programmes should bo left to the City Council, so as to obtain a recital not so classical as the present concerts, but more 011 a level with t'lio public taste. Sceno: Wellington City Council Chambers. Timo: Tho future. A council meeting is in progress. Tho door opens and Mr. Bernard Page, tho city organist, enters, with a bundle of music under 'his arni. The Mayor: {'Kindly take a seat, Mr. Page, ('there is an awkward pause.) Eh —you know, Mr. Page, that by resolution of the council last meeting wo aro going to chooso music- for future organ recitals on suggestions made by citizens and according to our own ideas as to the public taste. Any suggestions you would liko to make 011 tho matter will bo duly considered." Turning to tlie councillors: "Gentlemen, wo have a large amount of other business in front of us this evening, so we will proceed as rapidly as -possible with tho selection of the reoital programme. _ Are thero any suggestions?" (Thero is a pause.) _ . A councillor (rising): Your Worship, I would suggest that wo chooso a- popular march vrith a bit of go in it for the opening item; it would be an encouragement for those present to stay out the programme. I have a little daughter at homo who plays a piece that I think would be eminently suitable. "Blaze Away" it's called. "Mr. Page no doubt knows it. Mr. Page: No, I liavo never heard of tho piece. Could you tell mo who is tlio composer? llio councillor: Well, I can't remember tho name at present. His Worship (interrupting): Well, gentlemen, wo must- make liasio. As I have mentioned before, wo have a good deal of other business to go through. It is proposed by C'r. tliat "Blaze Away" bo tlie 'opening number on the programme. Will any 'councillor second tlio motion? Another councillor: I don't .know the pieco myself, but I ; think we would do 110 harm in opening tlie programme with :it. I second tho motion. 1 The Mayor: All those in favour of the motion that "Blaze Away" open the programmo say Aye, to tlio contrary, No. The ayes have it. Are there any more suggestions? Councillor Ono: To vary a little from the opening number, I would suggest something with a little sentiment running through it. There's a beautiful little piece I heard a paralysed boy playing in the street the other day, it is called "Silver Threads Among the Gold." lam sure Mr. Page will find an organ setting for it. Mr. Pago (rising nervously): I . Tlio Mayor (interrupting) : Any suggestions by you will be heard later,' Mr. Page. . Porhaps another evening wo will bo able to give more consideration to this .matter. Gentlemen, it is proposed that "Silver Threads Among the Gold" be included in the programme. Is there any seconded to the motion ? Councillor Two: Yes, I havo much pleasure in seconding tho proposal, the tune is an old favourite of mine. Perhaps tho item would bo further appreciated were Mr. Pago to makc-un for tlio iyem in character. Say, with an old igrcy wig and beard.. It would greatly euhanco the sentimolitality' oE' tho item.

The Mayor: I think wo can very well leave that to Mr. Pago to decide; wo aro hero only to choose the progranimo of music. Those, in favour of the motion that "Silver Threads Among tho Gold", bo included on the programme say "Aye," to tho contrary "No." Tho ayes have it. (Continuing) I havo here a suggestion.from a citizen that a little of the popular ragtime bo included in tho programme. For myself, I think tho suggestion a happy one, considering how this ragtime is being taken up at present. A councillor: I, too-, think the proposal an excellent one. I havo hero a few specimens which my son at college has brought home. There's "Hitchy Ivoo," "Oh, You Beautiful Doll," and a few others. I was thinking it' would be .an excellent idea to ask Mi. Page to mako a medley of them.

The motion is carried unanimously. Mr. Pago is looking palor then when he entered the room, and is shifting uneasily in his seat.' Councillor Three: I think it will be only proper and correct to includo in the programme somo sacred selection. You know, wo want a selection of items to please all tastes. I would suggest "The Holy City." Councillor Four: I think Councillor Three's proposal ail excellent one, and have much pleasure in seconding it. Tho Mayor: Those in favour of including "The Holy City" in tho programme say Aye, to tho contrary, No. Tho ayes have it. Well, gentlemen, any moro proposals? Councillor Five: Wo must includo that popular littlo tuno "In tho Shadows." -No programme is, I consider, complete without it. (Mr. Pago shivers visibly.)

This item is passed with acclamation.

Councillor Six: I was. thinking, Your Worship, that it would bo a splendid idea wero the council to introduce a little competition among tho audience at these concerts, in the way of arranging with Mr. Pago to play fragments of various littlo well-known melodies. Wo could havo lists distributed among tho audience, who could writo down tho names or as many of tho items played as tliey are familiar with. Tho nearest and most conciso list could he awarded a littlo prizo of, say, a season's ticket to tho organ recitals.

A councillor (heatedly): Your Worship, I rise to a point of order. I consider Councillor Six's proposal to bo introducing- into our municipal undertakings ;i wrongful element of chance, and to bo encouraging gambling. Tho Mayor: Councillor Seven is quito right. Wo don't want our Town Hail converted into a common gaming-house. Eventually iho "Barcarolle from "Tales of Hoffmann" (carried enthusiastically) and' "Meet Mo To-night in Dreamland" are also included in tho programme. Tho Mayor (turning to Mr. Page): Well, Mr. Pago, wo hav.o selected this programme, which, though it may nob suit your higher musical tasto, will, I am sure, meet with tho approval of the majority of tho public. You will see wo aro leaving two items for you to choose, and wo trust that your selections will as nearly coincido with our own as possible. That, however, wo will leavo to your judgment and discretion. t Mr. Page, as if in a trance, absently takes tho list from tho Mayor. He appears about to say something, but nothing but a harsh, dry sound comes I out of his mouth. He stares vacantly I around, and totters from tho room.

The Mayor: Well, gentlemen, that business is satisfactorily disposed of, and 110 doubt wo will find a big difference ill tho proceeds from our next orchestral recital. I will ask tho Town Clerk to read the engineer's report on the annual tarring of the roads of tho city. "

(Loft sitting.)

Sweden is being uracil lo pass a law Riving women the right to-propose marriage.