MUSIC IN ENGLAND

Shannon News, 10 August 1926, Page 4

MUSIC IN ENGLAND

THE POPULARITY OP BACH. 1 After a six months’ tour ,during which he had many interesting ex_ periences, Mr. Mabghan Barnett, the city organist, has returned to Auckland. He is now in good health and has absorbed a wealth of knowledge which should be of great value to the city. Mr. Barnett left Auckland in January. In New York,, Mr. Barnett said, he heard a philharmonic Orchestra under Furtwaengler in a programme which includde Brahms’ Fourth Symphony and works of Bebthpven and Mozart. The performance was most finished, but seemed to lack warmth. The delicacy of the woodwind was an outstanding feature. He also heard the “Barber of Seville” at the Metropolitan Opera House, with with Galli-Curci as Rosm'a. The part suit, ed the noted prima-donna, but the outstanding performance was that of Maltista as Dr. Bartolo. In Boston he heard a concert by tho People’s Symphony Orchestra. "I arrived in England at the wrong time for music, but was fortunate m hearing a few orchestral concerts at the Queen’s Hall, conducted by Beecham and W00d.,” continued' Mr. Barnett. “The programme included a number of modern works and or these I was particularly interested’m the third symphony, “The Divine Poem,” by Scriabin ,a Russian com. poser whose music was the subject of much controversy when first introduced in England. The symphony with its beautiful themes and orchestration, was'a contrast to the grind, ing harshness of Honegger’s ‘Pacific 231,’ in which the composer strives to express the feelings inspired by the activity of a powerful engine. This piece seemed to me an example of how unmusical some of the ultra, modern stuff can be.

. “Th e popularity of Bach’s music is one of the most important of recent musical developments in England,” Mr. Barnett said. “It is noticeable not only- in the programmes of organrecitals, but was strikingly illustrated by the enormous audiences attracted to Queen’s Hall by the , all-Bach orchestral concerts conducted by Sir Henry Wood. The programme I heard included the six Brandenburg Concertos and the violin conecrto In A minor played by Miss Jelly d’Araniji. The freshness, virility, and variety of the music ,the appeal made by its rhythmical qualities, and the fine playing of an orchestra of artists mad e the concert one of the most memorable in my experience.” Mr. Barnett was particularly interested in organ maters and during his short stay in England attended a number or organ recitals and met a number of prominent organists and others notable in the music world, including Madame Rosina Buclcman and her husband. Mr. Barneet gave recitals in the Central Hall, Westminster, in St. Stephen’s, Walbrook,' and two recitals in the Leamington Parish Church. Other recitals were to been given, but had to be abandoned owing to difficulties regarding dates and the general strike. Mr. Barnett said organ music was very popular and his recitals were well attended.