Some, But Not Enough

New Zealand Listener, Volume 12, Issue 304, 20 April 1945, Page 8

Some, But Not Enough

S a suitable time for presenting some of the greatest religious music ever written, Easter could hardly be bettered; but the opportunity was mainly missed in Dunedin, the number of broadcasts devoted to this type of music, although eagerly listened to, being meagre indeed compared with what might have been. On the afternoon of Good Friday 4YA broadcast Pergolesi’s Stabat ‘Mater, and in the evening (but merely by way of introducing a session of readings) the "Good Friday" music from Wagner’s "Parsifal," and Handel’s "Worthy 4s the Lamb." On Easter Monday we had the Good Friday music

again, in the "Masterpieces of Music" series; and, heavenly joy! three movements from the Bach B Minor Mass! Dr. Galway deserves the devout thanks of music lovers for permitting us to hear what Parry described as "the mightiest choral work eyer written"; a work, moreover, of which it’ has been said that if it were desired to elevate one work above all others the B Minor Mass is the only work which could possibly lay claim to the signal honour. In spite of this conclusion, with which most musicians must agree, we still await the performance of the entire Mass. What better time than Easter for giving it to us? Or if that were not possible, what better time for giving us at least one whole evening of music reflecting the spirit of Easter? But of such plan or intention the Easter programmes, as I have said, were singularly void.