MODERN MUSIC

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 4

MODERN MUSIC

TENDENCY IN BRITAIN PIANO TEACHING IN CLASS FORM SUCCESS OF NATIONAL COMPETITION ‘‘There is a growing tendency in Britain to teach (lie piano in class form,” stated Dr. Ei nesUßarkham Lee, a well-known English composer, author nnd pianist, who arrived by the Niagara this week to he the examiner at the pending Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music examinations in Auckland. Dr. Lee said that the movement had been inaugurated by the Federation of British Musical Industries. Under the scheme one pupil in the class would actually play the piano, and simultaneously lour or live other pupils would use cardboard keys. Under the plan those who could not pay for a good musical education could be assisted, and it was hoped to develop many who would go on. to a higher musical education. Dr. Lee was chairman of Hie musical competition for the encouragement of pianoforte playing carried out by the newspaper “Daily Express.” There was a totnl of 18,000 candidates, and the British Isles were divided into 18 areas, while from each area four pianos were presented as prizes, making a total of 72.. The finalists from each area were brought to London to take part in a musical gain. He said that the scheme had proved most successful .It had brought out a large number of good players, whom it was hoped would go oil to a higher musical education. Referring to music'in Britain, Dr. Lee said that an interesting phase was the encouragement being given to choral singing, and there had been a big revival in that direction. It was a fact that mechanical musical devices were affecting music, but in some instances for good. Mechanical devices had had tlic tendency of a choking effect on amateurs, but on the other hand had introduced people to music which they had not previously known, and had engendered interest in chamber music. In the English schools the appreciation of music was good, although he believed that it was inclined to lie too analytical and mathematical. The tendency to emphasise the beauty of shape at; the expense of boauty of theme constituted a danger. Dr. Lee said that he had been keenly anticipating a visit to New Zealand, where he hopes to stay about six months.