MUSIC LECTURE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 227, 20 June 1921, Page 8

MUSIC LECTURE

MR. ROBERT PARKER ON ENGLISH SONGS.

There was a large and appreciative audience in St. John’s Hall on Saturday evening on tho occasion of Mr Robert Parker’s second music lecture, illustrated with examples of the songs and works he dealt w.ith. This time, the lecturer spoHo on English songs, folk-songs, and roundelays, commencing from the seventeenth century period. In introducing his subject, Mr. Parker spoke on the various classes of English music. Prior to the reign of Elizabeth, songs had been current among the people and folk-songs had been collected. Some of these, of unknown origin, were beautiful, and some, of course, possessed coarse words and indifferent music. During the revjn of Elizabeth, a high degree of musical culture obtained, and find song-writers sprang into prominence. Songs of this piriod (sung by Mrs. Veldhouse) were "The Bailiff’s Daughter of Islington.” “It was a Lover and his Lass,” and "Begcne Dull Care.” Mr. Parker dealt with the following images oT English music, and as an illustration to his lecturette choir of lads and Mrs. Fieldhouse sang other songs of the various periods, including "Full Fathom Five,” "Fairest Isle” (words by Drydon); while Miss Williamson played ‘wo charming dances ns a pianoforte solo. The lecturer special refoienco lo Robert Purcell, whom he d<'scribod as one of the world’s greatest inu.-icia'ns