DR. MALCOLM SARGENT

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 32, 6 August 1936, Page 10

DR. MALCOLM SARGENT

CIVIC RECEPTION

FAMOUS CONDUCTOR WELCOMED

Practically every musical organisation in Wellington had its representatives in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon when a civic reception was tendered Dr. Malcolm Sargent, the eminent English conductor, and a large number of citizens attended. On their behalf the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) welcomed Dr. Sargent. It was an honour, he said; to welcome-such a leader in music, and Wellington was singularly fortunate in having the chance to see him conduct. Ne-w Zealand musical societies had reached ■ a very high standard in spite of difficulties, and'-;a visit from- such ■ a great conductor as Dr. Malcolm.. Sargent should bring them, that public support which, their work deserved. He expressed the hope that at the forthcoming concerts there would not' be a vacant seat in the Town Hall.

Speaking for the Government, the Hon. P; Fraser said that he hoped the community interest in what was undoubtedly a great musical event would be worthy of the occasion. ' Such a gathering as the one in which they were taking part, besides being a welcome to a notable figure in the world of music, was a tribute to the fine work under great handicaps being done by those who were endeavouring to .foster music both in Wellington and throughout the .Dominion. He hoped that some day in the not too distant future Dr. Sargent would be able to return to New Zealand and stay .longer.

The value of such a visit as,that of Dr. Malcolm Sargent was stressed by Mr. D: "A.; Ewen, president of the' Wellington Symphony Orchestra; "and by Mr. Stanley Oliver. ' The latter; speaking- on behalf of the Wellington Choral Society and the professional musicians of Wellington, said that the visit would be an inspiration. Dr. Sargent's conducting would show members of the orchestra and of the choral society not what they could not do, but what they could do.

Dr. Sargent was received with applause when he rose to reply. He deprecated, he said, New Zealanders' "terrific modesty" about their music. There was no reason for it. In his rehearsals already held with the Symphony Orchestra and the Choral Society he had been amazed at the good results already achieved and he was delighted with the material upon which he had to work. He would stress, he said, the importance of playing good music to children: in this respect much might be dons for the catise of music in New Zealand. His visit, he hoped, would further this cause, and he found it a pleasure to conduct the Choral Society and the Symphony Orchestra. ■