MUSIC BAFFLES PLAYERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 863, 6 January 1930, Page 7

MUSIC BAFFLES PLAYERS

“MOST DIFFICULT EVER WRITTEN” 440 PERFORMERS NEEDED Mahler's Eighth Symphony, the gigantic work which is to be given at a 8.8. C. concert in April, was described to a “Daily Chronicle” representative as “probably the most difficult music ever written.” An expert, who" made this statement, is a member of the musical executive of the 8.8. C., and he said that when the principals who have been engaged as soloists first saw the score they declared they had never seen anything like it. “This symphony demands an orchestra of 130, a chorus of 250, and a boys’ chorus of 60,” the 8.8. C. official continued. “ The boys, who are drawn from the best choirs in London, have been rehearsing for weeks, and it is no easy matter to teach them this supremely difficult music. “Soloists are already studying their parts, and understudies are absolutely necessary, because, in an emergency, it would be impossible to find anyone to sing the music. Day-Long Rehearsals “To accommodate the orchestra the platform at the Queen’s Hall will have to be extended, and it will probably be necessary, also, to take in part of the galleries. “Whenever the work has been performed abroad it has created a sensation.” Sir Henry W r ood, who will conduct the symphony, is enthusiastic about it. He has arranged day-long rehearsals of every section. The symphony of this Viennese composer (1860-1911) has been performed about 100 times on the Con tinent, but never in England.