MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 730, 1 August 1929, Page 15

MUSIC

(By

F.I.R.

Glancing Ahead — August 3.—Municipal Band Concert. A 4 .Unemployed Musicians’ ConAUg ert. , o Puccini Musical Society relief). 1-, Choral Society Concert "■Fiudi Maccabeus”). August 22.— Royal Auckland Choir. August—Westminster Glee Singers. Dusolina GianniniSo great vas his success in a re-! ce ‘ nt Berlin concert, says “Musical Courier '■ that Beniamino Gilgi was rarried ’ front the recital hall to his r“tel on the shoulders o£ admirers. Some davs previously he had sung in “Boheme” in Hamburg. “Casanova in Paris” \n eight-scene ballet by Pick-Man-eiagalh called “Casanova in Paris,” was produced for the first time' re- : ceatly at La Scala. “The story is new" says Francis Toye in the London ’"Mornng Post,” "the setting is fraught with infinite possibilities, and Mangiagalli possesses that rare accomplishment, tue gift of writing: really good ballet music. Indeed, his j score is about as attractive and well made as possible, piquant without bein’ vulgar, delicate without being feeble, though I do not think the music would bear divorce from the stage.’* ... Popular Prices A policy of "popular music at a popular price,” recently suggested by the Christchurch “Sun,” was adopted by the Christchurch Orchestral Society when it set aside a number of seats over and above those required by its subscribers for the use of the public at Is a head. At the society’s recent concert 315 of these seats were sold. It has now been decided to continue Indefinitely this policy, and it is expected that at the next concert all these seats will be occupied. Auckland societies could well consider similar policies. Municipal Band For the next Municipal Band concert, to be given on Saturday evening, the conductor, Mr. Christopher-Smith, has arranged a programme that is undoubtedly intended as a compliment to our French visitors. The band will not only commence the programme with the National Anthem, but will also play the “Marseillaise,” followed by settings of two traditional French songs—“Mourir pour la Patrie” and "Partant pour la Syrie.” Other items will be the overture to “The Barber of Seville,” “Funeral March of a Bumble Bee” (Evan Marsden), a fantasia, “Reminiscences of Scotland,” and a work by a Spanish composer, “Moorish Suite.” Instrumental solos will be given by Messrs. Bowes and McLennan, and Mrs. Laetitia Parry will sing “Angels Guard Thee (Godard) and “A Song of Thanksgiving” (Allitsen), with band accompaniment, * * * Blind Girls' Orchestra A very worthy proposal that must commend itself to all musicians is the tormatiou of an orchestra among the blind girls at the Jubilee Institute. A start has already been made with H girls who already have some musical training and whose ability and love of music has been proved, and instruments of all kinds are now needed. In many homes there are no doubt instruments that are not used and if they were handed over to the Institute they wonld provide a great deal of pleasure to the girls. Music means more to the blind than it does to those with sight. It ia one of the great compensations for the loss of sight and an everlasting source of pleasure and occupation. Musicians should be to the fore in assisting such a worthyproposal.

Pavlova's Violinist The Council of Adelaide University has appointed Mr. Peter Bernstein, aged 33, leading violinist in the Pavlova orchestra, to the position in the Elder Conservatorium recently vacated by Mr. Charles Schilsky, teacher of the violin. It is expected that Mr. Bernstein will remain with the Pavlova Company until it reaches London, and will then return to Adelaide to take up his duties in October, k’hen the fourth term begins.

Westminster Glee Singers It is announced that the Westminster Glee Singers are to tour New Zealand shortly. The combination, which has been reorganised since its last visit, j? stated to be the finest that Mr. Edward Branscombe has directed. The Party comprises six boys and nine men. their repertoire consists of over 150 examples of part singing, ranging from examples of part singing, ranging from the simple part song to Gfe madrigal and glee with occasional anthems and Christmas carols, in addition to a most mteresting series of solos with an accompaniment of voices. Not only >s every member of the company a soloist from one of the famous English churches, but they are noted for the VeT T Perfection of ensemble.

Pachmann’s Son Lionel de Pachmann, son of the famous pianist, has been delighting Paris audiences with his compositions for piano, according to the London “Daily Telegprah.” A set of variations upon a theme by Vladimir de Pachmann was so successful at the International Centre for Music that it had to be repeated.

Piano Revival The annual survey- of the Federation of British Music Industries shows that in 1928 the number of pianos manufactured in England was the largest recorded since 1913, reports “The Times,” London. “The figure for 1927 was also very satisfactory, for it, too, represented the highest output of the industry since the prewar year. Ths revival of British piano manufacture during the past two years, the federation states, appears to be conclusive proof that the great popularity of gramophone and wireless music does not mean the decline of the piano. It is probable, on the contrary, that gramophone and wireless music has stimulated the public interest in music generally.

Westminster Glee Singers One great and important feature of the Westminster Glee Singers who are to tour New Zealand shortly is the highly attractive manner in which their entertainment is presented. Instead of the formal concert platform, they employ beautiful stage settings, with many novel lighting effects, this being the first time that a combination of colour and sound has been utilised in this manner. There is a delightful intimacy about their performances to which concert goers have not hitherto been accustomed, and while their music standard is of the highest, they do not disdain the lighter side. There is nothing more fascinating in the whole realm of music than the human voice, and when this is utilised without instrumental accompaniment, one gets the perfection of musical beauty-. The Glee Singers specialise in this form of art and sing the whole of their programme from memory.