A LEAN YEAR

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 558, 10 January 1929, Page 12

A LEAN YEAR

Concert Attendances Fall SEASON REVIEWED “Music,” stated Bovee, “is the fourth great material want of our natures —first food, then raiment, then shelter, then music.” Reviewing Auckland’s musical activity during the year just ended, it would seem, however, that Bovee’s placing by no means agrees with the value set on music by the public of Auckland. Music in Auckland, judging by the value set by tbe bulk of the community, comes very low down oil the I list. As regards professional entertainments, Auckland, in common with the rest of New Zealand, has had a lean year. Therefore the lack of support accorded the various artists cannot be ascribed to keen competition. Early in the year came the Cherniavsky trio, Leo, Jan, and Michael. Then followed the pianists, Moisiewitch and Cherkassky, and, in the vocal section, Fraser Gange and Amy Evans, William Heughan, Scottish entertainer, and Arthur O’Shea, singer of Irish ballads. There was also a season of grand opera, which was fairly well supported. Professionally it was not an outstanding year. Of the professional artists, it was the remarkable genius of the sixteen-year-old Cherkassky, and the quiet scholarly interpretations of that very likeable artist, Moisiewitch, that pleased most. Yet it was the Scottish and Irish singers’ that drew the houses. Such is the standard of our musical appreciation! Two really interesting concerts by the Bohemian Orchestra, the third and fourth, were the outstanding features of Auckland’s musical activity. The final concert, which included several Schubert numbers, was a really excellent entertainment, and one that deserved a far better response. The performance of Alfred Hill’s “Hinemoa” by the Choral Society was also interesting. Here was to be seen a genuine attempt to infuse colouring into the concert, and provide muchneeded variety. Maori boys were used to supplement the chorus, and with good effect. A stage setting in keeping with the work being performed was also achieved, and this, helping considerably to mitigate the drab and depressing dreariness of the Town Hall atmosphere, went a long way toward making a success of the concert. CONCERTED EFFORT From the all important point of view of public patronage it cannot be said that it was a successful year. The concerts given both by visiting artists and the city’s own organisations were not attended to any compensating extent. Several societies report a loss on the year’s working, and this, unfortunately, must have the effect of curtailing activity in some form or other. Although Auckland is probably no better., or no worse than other New Zealand cities, the fact remains that in proportion to its population greater practical support of music should be forthcoming. This will never be achieved unless a big concerted effort on the part of all organisations concerned is made to discover ways and means of improving the very unsatisfactory state of affairs that at present exists. If the present downward trend is not checked the day will not be far distant when some of our amateur organisations will, have to consider the question of giving up the struggle. It is a question which* should be reviewed by a joint conference of all musical societies in the city, and with it the question of municipal subsidies to existing organisations that do draw audiences in preference to the present waste of money on poorly attended municipal concerts.

Toscanini will conduct Ottorino Respighi’s new symphonic poem, “Feste di Roma,” says the Menestrel. “After ‘The Fountains of Rome’ and ‘Pines of Rome,’ this is the eagerly awaited third part of ancient Rome’s musical apotheosis.”

Dr. Arundel Orchard Dr. Arundel Orchard, the head of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, upon whom the University of Durham has conferred its degree of doctor of music, once resided in New Zealand. On leaving England he first came to the Dominion, and after spending some time here, proceeded to Sydney. For some years he was conductor of the Royal Sydney Liedertafel, which was subsequently known as Royal Sydney Apollo Club. Dr. J. C. Bridge, the occupant of the chair of music at Durham, has cabled the university’s congratulations to Dr, Orchard.