ELIMINATE MUSIC.

Shannon News, 7 March 1924, Page 4

ELIMINATE MUSIC.

Just back from Europe where she studied eurhythmies and dancing in Geneva, Munich and London is Miss Rachael Lewers, of Chatswood, Sydney. Full of enthusiasm for her work, brimming over with new ideas gathered from the masters ,of the'art of rhythmic movement. Miss Lewers says that there is a big school of rhythmic work in Munich founded on breathing rather than, music. "The basis of the Dalcrbze method is music," said she, '{but the basis of these other schools is breathing, At several dance recitals in Munich the items were given without music, the theory being that all individuals have a rhythm of their own, therefore other music is unnecessary to help with the interpretation." In London there is a man, Mr Bur-; ton, who doesn't believe in music, and makes the breath, control movement rather than melody. He calls is system "The Rhythmic Unity of Breath and Culture."

Miss Lewers spent a year at the famous Dalcroze school at Geneva, and then continued her studies under Madame Reiset in Munich. "1 think the'great vogue for rhythmic work at the moment is due to the desire for some sort of balanced harmony and control of the body" said this young Australian. "This old form of physical exercise had very little, reason or imagination in it. I am more particularly interested in movement and grouping than in the musical side, therefore I went to Munich. v There the ballet has practically departed'—all dancing is barefoot.

"You have no' idea how decorative the human body can be until you have seen Dalcroze at work, While I was in Geneva he organised a big 'Fete of Youth,' and his rhythmicians expressed the life of the community in artistic movement. There was one item 'expressing' the lake of Geneva —■ rows of girls in grey robes doing beautiful arm movements to show the rise and fall of the waves, and over all coloured light of purple, green and blue were as a mist to represent the colours of the lake.