SUNDAY CONCERTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 16749, 2 January 1915, Page 9

SUNDAY CONCERTS.

VIEWS OF ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S PRESIDENT. TO THE UDITOR. Sir—A letter signed “Be Cautious,” appearing in last Monday s "Lyttelton Times,” has been brought to my notice. I regret I did not see it earlier. The writer’s object is in itself .a laudable one, viz., to prevent the desecration of the Sunday, but ho has fallen into serious mistakes, and seems to allow his feelings to warp his judgment. He believes the bulk of the citizens will uphold tho Council’s decision regarding Sunday ■evening orchestral concerts. Four cf these concerts havo been given, three of them in aid of tho Belgian Relief Fund—at each the building was filled to'its utmost capacity, hundreds being refused admission, and the average number attending each of the concerts in tho Colosseum was 2500. As tho Council’s decision forbids these concerts in future (as will bo seen), there seems to lie scant reason for the belief that the citizens generally will approve of that decision. The decision was that leave ho gjven for these concerts on the following conditions:—(l) That the music bo suitable, (2) that the doors he not opened till 8.10 p.m.. and (3) that no fixed' chargo for admission bo made. The orchestra has observed and will observe these conditions in any future concerts which may be given. But a further condition is made that the concerts must cease when _ the organ recitals are resumed, viz., about the middle of February. As the players, like everyone else, look for a holiday at this season, this condition, if insisted on, virtually puts an end _to tho concerts. Why should the citizens approve? On another point "Be Cautious” falls into a mistake. He tries to set up a comparison between the organ recitals and tile orchestral concerts tq the detriment of tho latter, which, he says, is a purely money-making project from tho point of view of the lessees of the buildings and many of tho performers. He should have made sure ’of his facts. Thero is no reason why professional musicians should not be paid for services rendered, be it on Sunday or week-day. Both the conductor and the city organist receive fees lor their respective services, hut ever since the orchestra was founded, up to this day no member, professional or amateur, has received one shilling for his services, and, for many reasons, the day when these services will meet with recognition from tho funds..of tho orchestra seems as far off as tho millennium. . Next "Bo Cautious” says tho organ .recitals aro not run for gain but to provide "choice sacred music, listened to in a reverential spirit.” _ I don’t know how the "reverential spirit ” was intended to be fostered, but far from being restricted _to " sacred music,” choice or otherwise, tho organ recitals have, very properly, luxuriated with tho utmost freedom through the whole wide realm of music, giving expression, as well as an organ can, to the immortal works of the great masters, ancient and modern, without regard to the objects (if any) for which those yorks were composed. And so all tlie facts aro against " Be Cautious.” < ' I cannot, however, admit tho suggested distinction between sacred and lion-sacred music. In my view all good music (it may not bo very easy to define it) is sacred music, m tho sense that it is suitable for performance on Sunday.

As to tho “ Continental Sunday," I presume tho reference is to tho practice of those peoplo whoso rulers, and Governments havo openly banished Christianity as far as they can. Until Christianity is banished the Continental Sunday will nowhere find acceptance. So little is it feared in England (and no nation is more strict in Sunday observance) that London has for many years afforded to Londoners concerts without end on Sundays, unopposed by the clergy and supported by multitudes of church-going people. I trust and believe that tho Continental Sunday is as far from finding favour in Christchurch as it is in London. In conclusion, I hope the Council may see its way to mitigate the impossible conditions and allow the citizens to hear, at least on one Sunday evening in every mouth, good music performed by a well-trained orchestra.—l am, etc.,

H. H. LOTJGHNAN, President Orchestral Society.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —In answer to your correspondent “Be Cautious” may I point out that his letter is based on a misconception of facts. This city, far from being “ full of amusements and concerts all six days of the week," is really singularly deficient in any of a high class and is avoided in the itinerary of great artists visiting the Dominion. I suppose he has in his mind tho picture theatres, which seem to bo almost the solo form of amusement here. As regards his fears of a Continental Sabbath, I need only remind him that the best of music is given in London on Sunday afternoons and evenings by the principal orchestras, assisted by the world’s greatest artists, and England at the present moment does not seem to be in moral danger. He goes on to say “there is no comparison between those wished for concerts and tho organ recitals," pointing out that the former are for personal gain, which is not the ease with the latter. The facts point to the reverse, for while no member of the orchestra is paid, the city organist receives a fee every time he plays. And why not? Is not the clergyman rightly paid for his work in ohurch? And to add that the collection very often does not cover the expenses hardly constitutes a. strong argument in liis favour. He is also wrong in saying that it is all “choice sacred" music, for it is often very secular, and once mom why not? so long as it is of a good kind. We are not in church then, and the devii fortunately lias no monopoly of good tunes. Much more might be added.' but I will close with the remark that it is now no longer necessary to convince people that nil good music has an elevating tendency on whatever day of the week it is heard.—.l am, etc., A LOVER. OF FACTS.