Magic Notes

NZ Truth, Issue 1153, 5 January 1928, Page 4

Magic Notes

IT is the hour appointed for evensong in Christchurch Cathedral. . . .

A diminutive surpliced chorister lights with taper the altar candles. . . . And then the silence of the sanctuary is shattered by the tremulous lute-like tones of the magnificent new organ, which gradually swells in thrilling crescendo until the whole mighty diapason is encompassed. Thus is the master : touch and artistry of Dr. J. C Bradshaw revealed. When the doctor arrived from England twenty-five years ago in earnest quest of health he would have been "shoo-ed" away from the door of any life insurance company. But the miracle of rejuvenation has been accomplished, and he has held down since then the exacting dual job o£ organist and choir-master at the cathedral. Still slight and spare of figure, he demonstrates beyond doubt that physical bulk is by no means a necessity for a master musician or for extracting capacity volume and the very soul from reed and pipe. He has the knack of training liedertafels and kindred societies to the very minute, and vast audiences have acclaimed his skill with the baton. And not a few finished platform singers owe their success to " the foundations well and truly laid, by the doctor whilst they were yet but choir boys.

In short, he has left an impress upon the musical life of ' the community which will take a power of shifting even in an age more or less given over to jingling jazz.