MUSICAL ENGLAND

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 869, 13 January 1930, Page 11

MUSICAL ENGLAND

SIGNS OF REVIVAL MISS MURRAY’S SUCCESS Celebrities attract big audiences in England, zut for those who have not yet made their names, success in the musical world involves a long and very difficult task. This was the impression gained by Miss Eileen O’Meeghan, a South Island musician, who returned by the Aorangi today after an extended tour abroad. Aliss O’Meeghan, who left Timaru in 1926, spent the best part of a year in Rome, the remainder of the time being spent in London and the musical centres of the Continent. In London, Afiss O'Meeghan frequently met Miss Stella Murray, the Christchurch vocalist, who has succeeded in carving quite a big name for herself in the English musical world. All her recitals had been very successful, and at the present time she was singing remarkably well. In addition, she had also built up a big teaching connection. As a pianist, Miss O’Meeghan naturally made a point of attending as many of those recitals as possible. Levitsky and Baekhaus, both of whom are coming here this year, had very successful recitals, and Paderewski, De Pachman, Lehvinne, and Friedman also never failed to attract big audiences whenever they played. ECCENTRIC PACHMANN At one recital given by Vladimir De Pachmann, the audience overflowed on to the stage, and almost surrounded, the piano, much to the annoyance of the eccentric and very entertaining genius. Miss O’Aleeghan enjoyed his brilliant playing very much, a pleasure that was also shared by De Pachmann himself. He was in good form, and consequently very pleased with himself. After one unusually brilliant performance the od pianist excitedly joined in the applause, and, exclaiming “Bravo, Pachmann!" danced about the stage, to the intense delight of the audience. English audiences, said Miss O’Meeghan, are well acquainted with the Pachmann eccentricities, and thoroughly enjoy them* In Rome Aliss O Meeghan also heard Arthur Rubinstein, whom she regards as a very fine pianist. Of the singer,s she was particularly interested in Florence Austral, who, in addition to possessing a glorious voice, is a very fine artist. The German artist Leider was also very fine. AT COVENT GARDEN

On the Continent Miss O’Meeghan saw some opera and also at Covent Garden, where she thought a very high standard was maintained. “Parsifal,” which she attended, commenced at half-past four in the afternoon, with a break for dinner. To see the occupants of the stalls arriving in full evening dress in broad daylight "was one of the interesting features of Covent Garden. In England there was an almost general impression that musically there was a big improvement. Sir Thomas Beecham was meeting with more support for his national opera scheme, and the 8.8. C. and Promenade orchestral concerts were being well supported. Also very significant was the demand for the return of the orchestras in tho picture theatres. Musically, as well as in other things, England was still a country of traditions The “Messiah” was always an event, the “Three Choirs Festival” was as much as ever a national institution, and Dame Clara Butt singing “Land of Hope and Glory” still created as much excitement as ever. There is no lack of opportunity of heaving good music, said Miss O’Meeghan, and although naturally pleased to return home, one could not help hut regret leaving London and its very fine musical associations.