MUSICAL DECLINE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 352, 12 May 1928, Page 5

MUSICAL DECLINE

WORLD-WIDE REVIVAL WILL ASSUREDLY COME FRASER GANGE’S VIEWS “All through the world there has been a decline in the general appreciation of concert music. But when music does come back to the world, and it is coming now, it will be more vigorous than ever before. Only the best will then come to the top.” There was nothing pessimistic about Mr. Fraser Gange. The eminent Scottish baritone was bubbling over with vitality and optimism and full of information of his woiTd travels when he stepped off the Limited yesterday to prepare for his Auckland season, which opens this evening. He was accompanied by Miss Amy Evans, the noted soprano; Miss Enid Conley, the solo pianist and accompanist; and Mr. E. J. Gravestock, the well-known impressario. “No! It is no secret that Miss Evans is Mrs. Gange,” smilingly admitted the singer during the interview. “Everybody knows it, and we want everybody to know it.” Although Mr. Gange would be the last to deny that many good things have come out of Scotland, it was to Wales, that land of song, that he went for his bride.

Mr. Gange, who is on his second tour of New Zealand, is well qualified to speak of the world and its music. For many years he has visited the musical centres of the Old World and the New, not only as a soloist, but as a keen musical observer. And now, after an absence of seven years, he and Miss Evans have returned to New Zealand, where they have so many warm friends. “The people in Australia and New Zealand do not easily forget,” said Miss Evans. “During every year of our absence we have received so many invitations to return, so many letters and Christmas cards that we don’t feel at all strange coming back again. It is just a reunion with old friends and pleasant places.” That this reunion is appreciated on both sides has been amply proved in Wellington, where the first New Zealand recitals of this talented pair were enthusiastically received. America Leads the World Talking of his experiences in many parts of the world, Mr. Gange remarked more than once on the great musical wealth of the United States. “For the. past five years I have been living there almost continuously, and have had time to form an adequate idea of the musical life of this extraordinary country. When so many people are thrown together in such a huge melting-pot, it is only natural that artistic greatness must come of it. In music America leads the world. Her people understand music, appreciate music, and miss no opportunity of hearing it. A system of private and public endowment has given the States the finest orchestras and musical organisations in the world. From their earliest schooling the children are taught to hear, to appreciate, and to demand the best. Jewish Influence “There is no doubt,” continued Mr. Gange, “that the American nation as

a whole is intensely musical, if only because it is th© product of the most musical peoples of Europe. Of Jews, for instance, there is a tremendous number in the States. And wherever there are Jewish people there will be a deep and real patronage of the arts. One has only to look round the musical world to-day to see that practically every great violinist and pianist is of Jewish parentage.” If only public support is forthcoming, Mr. Gange does not see any reason why even the smallest communities in Australia and New Zealand should not band together and work together for the advancement of native music and native artists. “You must have many potential musicians here,” ended Mr. Gange, “who, if they only had the chance to perform, would soon provide the country with its own music.”