MUSIC IN U.S.A.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 March 1927, Page 4

MUSIC IN U.S.A.

THE FINANCIAL SIDE. WELLINGTON, March 14. “The present extent of musical activity in America is truly staggering. This season more than 600 concerts and 2CO operas were held in New York City alone and 00 per cent, of the world’s greatest artists participated.” said Air Hugo Larsen, the Australian impresario, who returned to-day from a business trip to New York. Among the musical notables who have adopted America are Alma Gluck, Zimbalist, .Frances Alda, John AlcCormnek, Alisclia Elman, Kricslor, Alargarctc Alatzenaur, Ba-clnnanioff, Heifetz. and Percy Graiuer. It was once said of Germany that every locality larger than a village boasted its symphony orchestra. Air Larsen continued. While this was as yet far from the the truth in America, it was true that almost every community down to the merest village had its music club. Those had become so numerous that they had combined into a national federation. Music had attained such monetary proportions that it had attracted the inartistic eye of business organisations, and even Chambers of Commerce.

Tt appeared that it was really an industry like selling motor-oars, phonographs, or vacuum cleaners. As a career it had acquired a new dignity, the respectability of cash value. The Philadelphia Orchestra- -visited New Ynrk ton limes during the season, and was enthusiastically received. Seats Were at a premium, just as they were at baseball games and prize fights. Mr Stokowski, the conductor, reoeived 70.03(1 dollars a year from the Philadelphia Orchestra directors, and in addition was voted 10,000 by the Chambers of Commerce as a. token of appreciation. Toscanini, the master of master conductors, received for a few weeks of his guest appearances as leader of the Now York Philaharmonic, something like 40,000 dollars.