THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20923, 30 September 1939, Page 17 (Supplement)

THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Hamiltonian Meets Sydney Composer Frank Hutchens, the brilliant New Zealand pianist and composer, who is one of the professors at Sydney Conservatorium, writes me this week that he is still doing a little composition, having, as he says, sketched out “Four Cities (N.Z.)” for orchestra. Mr Hutchens adds: “I was delighted to meet your clever young friend Betty Welch. She has had

success at the Eisteddfod, and I am sure she deserves to get on, for she has a very pleasing personality and enthusiasm in her work.” Great Acquisition To Hamilton Marguerite and Tom Harvey, who sang at the Red Cross concert on Thursday night, are a great acquisition to Hamilton music circles. They are singers of distinction, the former a mezzo-contralto and the latter a tenor. We will look forward to hearing them again. Hamilton Singer For Wellington “The Creation” will be sung by the Royal Wellington Choral Union next Saturday night, with Dr. Frederic Staton as guest conductor. The chorus and orchestra will number 300. The soloists will be: Soprano, Merle Gamble; tenor, Joseph Battersby, of Hamilton; and basso, Frank Permington. N.Z. Boy Violinist in London Alan Loveday, the young violinist of Palmerston North, who left New Zealand recently to study in England, is making good progress with his studies. A letter received from Mrs Loveday states that he is receiving lessons from Mr Albert Simmons, who teaches advanced pupils of the Royal College of Music. He appears to be very enthusiastic over the work of the young lad. Centennial Song Contest Entries from all over New Zealand have been received for the competition inaugurated by the Auckland Provincial Centennial Council for an Auckland Centennial song. N.Z. Tenor in London Writing from London under the ; date of August 30, Hubert Carta (Carter), the well-known New Zealand tenor, remarks that “things are just ‘too awful’ in all the spheres of art and entertainment at present, and have been so for a very long time now.” He goes on to say that he is very j thankful that he has taken up lecture tours, for which he has many advance bookings. In addition, Mr Carter has several concert dates as well, including another engagement for two performances of Gounod’s little-known opera, “Mirella,” which is being performed by the Croydon Opera Company, on November 24 and 27. i He adds that, perhaps, 1941 may j see him out with Mrs Carter for a tour of New Zealand. Concert by Paul and Diny Schramm j The pianist, Paul Schramm, has : started a second tour of the Dominion, but this time in conjunction with his wife, the former Diny Soetermeer, who is herself an outstandingly accomplished pianist, also with a European reputation. Born in Holland of Dutch and Spanish ancestry, Mrs Schramm brings to her music the carefullypolished technique which one would expect from the Dutch combined with the fire and sparkle of her Spanish forbears. A concert will be given in Hamilton in the near future.