WHAT IS MUSIC?

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 298, 7 April 1877, Page 2

WHAT IS MUSIC?

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVOKING MAIL. Sir, —I like a good growl whenever t can get one, and I cannot miss this opportunity. I was in the Masonic Hall on Thursday night, at the amateur performances, which of c mrse I am not going to complain about ; but, good heavens ! well, upon mature consideration I repress the remainder of that sentence. I think it is high time the amateurs, or the landlord, or somebody, procured a piano fur performances given there. 'Tis fearful, why it's worse than the instrument of torture our landlady starts when she wants us to go to bed early. I don't say I havo a nice, discriminating ear for music, or that my musical education has been completed ' (though I play a seyen-and-six-penny concertina) ; but I will say fearlessly that I could sit for hours and lister* to the strains of the simple mangle, in pref. rence to standing another night o£ that piano. Why doesn't the owner hira it out for a fowl-house (if it's good enough). I am wild, M'\ Ed tor, because I wanted to go an 1 see " Box and Cox " last night, and the thought of that antediluvian musical box, which I have heard in that hall for years, and which, I daresay, filled two or three lunatic asvlums before that—kept me away. And, Mr. Editor, half a second in confidence. Do the members of the orchestra excel in the Madame Angofc Quadrilles and one or two ot K er dance music ; or why is it that they always treat the Masonic Hall audiences to the same old touches at every amateur performance ? Perhaps the piano (/) has something to do with it. They might give us something new next time. lam not a sporting character, but I give this challenge to the owner of the Masonic Hall instrument. If I am given time togefe two frantic rats, I'll let them loose in a. kerosene tin and back their music against that of his tar-ache encourager.—l am, & C>J PBNIWJTSSEIu