WANDERING MUSICIAN

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 60, 27 March 1937, Page 6

WANDERING MUSICIAN

Making Study of Maori Music VISIT TO HASTINGS The clothes he stands jn and a violin are the sole worldly possessions of Mr George Pistorius, an American-born German, who arrived in Hastings this morning in continuation of his rambling journey throughout the world. Roaming the world and musical research are his hohbies, and he satisfies his craving and inclinations in both, as well as earning his liveljhood from his playing. Mr Pistorius has already broadcast from 1YA and is due to give a repeat performance towards the xniddle of next month. Where possible .he likes to perform over the air in towns he visits, and he mentioned that jn New Zealand h© had noted there were not as many radio stations as, in America in proportion to population. For exanjple, it was roughly estimated that in America towns of 2000 inhabitants or over usually had their own broadcasting station. There was a tendency, however, for these small stations to drop out as the larger units in the big cities absorbed them. "I was told when I set out on my world ramble som© 20 years ago that the Polynesian races despised modern European music," he said. "It may have been the case then, but I doubt it, for by the time I reached that part of the world I found that the lively tune had more than. its quota of devotees. The Hawaiian likes his native music, but there are a surprising number who prefer a swinging, lively rhythm." An ardent student of music, Mr Pistorius is making it his business to learn what he can of Maori music while in New "Zealand. "I have learnt that the Maori takes to .the guitar like a duck to water," he said,t"and it seems as though the Aute is now a thing of the past." He expressed himself very keen to hear some of the Maori chjbirs singing and is in hopes that while in Hawke's' Bay he will have this opportunity. He is anxious to hear genuine Maori music, and it seems that while in Rotorua he was not greatly favoured in this respect, finding that there was a tendency to commercialise the Maori too much. Questioned regarding his plans for the future, Mr Pistorius intimated that time and place were of little consequence to him, and, although Me could not say how long he would stay in New Zealand, he anticipated visiting the South Island. From New Zealand he would go to AustraKa, particularly the Northern Territory, bnt his main objective was the Orient, where he hoped to spend a number or years.