MUSIC IN NEW ZEALAND.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 106, 22 May 1901, Page 2

MUSIC IN NEW ZEALAND.

In view of the criticism of mus ; cal productions, in New Plymou'b, which have appeared in our co'unjn. j , tbo following should prove of great inter*st' —Mr. Stewart Mf.c.iherlon, who visited New Zealand lw-t year as spsdal < x■unirifr for the As opiated Boatd cf the Royal Academy and Royal Colli ge of Music, has given <he .London correspondent of the Olayo Daily Times a very iufcresting suitmaiy of the impression be received d iring his tour through the colony. He thinks tha* mu->ic and music-teaohing in No* ZaUnd are, on the whole, vaiy f.ur, s.nd 'hat in th«s« ie pt«ta >h > col >ny holds its own veiy well wth Aiistr.ili , though it do.s hot roach "In K>li standard imint-'ined in l'ai;iid ■>, where both teachers and pupi s hive the advantage of grcai*r proximity to Europe and the United Sta'os aod the consequent oppor'unities of ht string »i.d studying the best living nnisi'i>in->. H estimates these opportunities so lrghiy that he would like to see one or t*o of the leading artists of the olde countries inducod, presumably Ly a subsidy from tie musical oiganifat on-. <o visit th-3 colonies for pu e'y educitional purjosi-s. Until something c( thi'i sort ia done thy y<jung</r geuea'ion will, he foais, ijever gr«sp (lie '"iuw.itdce-ss of the music, the 6n r nuances cf phrasing and expres-.10n," , f-uch as would at once be riveaU.d b) the perforata' ess of a firs'-cl ss p'ay, r. When asked which rf the New Zealand centres stocd high'st in lespect to musical proficiency, Mr. Macpiiers >n bad no hesitation inawaiding the palm to Wellington,