WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 67, 11 December 1937, Page 13

WOMEN'S INSTITUTES

Twyford Meeting The December meeting of the Twyford AYomen's Institute was held in tho echool room, Mrs Burge presiding ove> a gopd attendance of members and visitors. At this meeting the annual flower and hoine industries show for members was held, and was judged by Mrs W. Bridgeman, of Havelock North, assisfced by Mrs M. Vaughan, Hastings. The entries in the floral section, particular ily the decorative portion, wrere very good. The cup for, the floral classes was won by Mrs Cameron and the one for the home industries, by Mrs Carrington. The stewards were Mesdames Carrington and Masters. Miss McMichael and Mrs Orbell wero •in charge of the sale of work, and £l from the proceeds of this goes as a Christmas gift to the Children 's Homes. Ifc was decided to hold the annual pic.nic at Windsor Park on the last, Wednesday in January. " The social circle leader reported that the last meeting liad been held at Mrs W. B. Nicoll's home, in York street, where a very pleasant time had been

speut viewing the beautiful gardens aird grounds, and later in listening to a most iDteresting travel talk on Canada. The speaker for the afternoon waa hrrg Bond, of Havelock North, who spoke on Frederic Chopin, the compoaer. Musical numbers were pfajred by Mrs Blair and Mrs Bond. hlrs Bond said that Chopin was altogether bound up in one instrument, and had been called, "the poet, the mind, and the soul of the piano." , "From very early years Chopin showed his passion for the piano," said the speaker. "At nine he appeared with success at charity concerts. At) 12 he had composed a polonaise and at 13 had actually published a Eondo and two Mazurkas. His parents wisely decided to prepare him for a musical profession and sent him to Warsaw Conservatoire, under Joseph Elsner. "In 182S-29 he visited Berlin and Vienna where he gave -two suecessful recitals, In 1930 he left Warsaw and settled in Paris, where he soon made a mt'he for himself and became one of the most admired pianists and fashionable teachers of the day. His life at this time w$s a very full one, with a circle of friends which ineluded Mendlessohn, Liszt, Schumann and inany other famous people. He went on steadily jmmposing, and spent endless pains perfecting each detail of every piece. The beautiful Nocturne in !e Flat Major belongs to 1833. This has been hailed as one of the six loveliest melodies in the world." "The refinement and delicacy which we find in his musie is a true indev to the man himself," said Mrs Bonif. "As a p'layer his touch was marvellouMly delecate. Sir Charles Halle, the noted conductor said that Chopin 's playing was perfection in every sen--e. Although in ill-health, in 1848 he went to England. He gave recitals in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester, out he was in a wretched state of health and feturned to Paris, where he died a few months later, at the early age of 39 years." As a linale to Mrs Bond's talk, Mrs Blair played "Polonaise in A Major" which was one of Chopin '§ most hrilliant compositions. • Hearty applauso was accorded both the speaker and the pianist. Mrs McNab acted as hostess for tho day and served a welcome tea. The Singing of the National Anlhpm concluded the meeting. ■