Musica Viva Players May Become Regular Visitors

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 486, 15 October 1948, Page 7

Musica Viva Players May Become Regular

Visitors

a dozen or so string quartets, but in Australia it is something of a pioneer. However, we try not to exploit the lack of competition, and endeavour to do our very best. Our aim is not to make money, but to popularise chamber music, end we visit places where we are asked tc play even though some of these excursions might result in a loss." For the first visits to the smaller country places, the group had "utility programmes," including pieces which could even be whistled-‘futility programmes is what Maureen .Jones calls them’-and then on a second visit they would present a more "difficult" programme. Some idea of the heavy cost involved in maintaining a group like the Musica Viva Players was given by Mr. Goldner. To keep out of the red they had to earn £10,000 a year. Besides travelling expenses, hire of halls and management costs, the artists were entitled to 2 reasonable living. They were the best available anywhere, and ali of them could earri much more. elsewhere, Furthermore conditions were not. enticing. "Family life is out because of the constant travelling, and this is not offset by our having in-lews that we want to aveid." The group is not subsidised, either privately or by Government grant. They had not applied for assistance because they wanted to prove their worth first, but now thar they had, Mr. Goldner indicated, some form of backing would be welcome. "So far," he said, "the miracle has happened and we have paid our way, but jit only requires one of the players to take ill and we would be in a difficult position." Musical Palestine From Theo Salzman, ’cellist with the group, whom Mr. Goldner described as "one of the most outstanding ‘cello players there are to-day," The Listener

sought some impressions of music in Palestine, for he was formerly soloist with the Palestine Symphony Orchestra. There were 30 or 40 music schools, he said, and it seemed that everyone played some instrument, besides "buying records like mad," and to walk down the street was like walking through the corridor of a conservatorium. In this atmosphere of tremendous, musical activity, competition was fiercely keen, and visits to Palestine by some internationally famous musicians had proved a very salutary experience for them. Big names meant nothing and good performances everything to critical Palestine audiences. In America and elsewhere if a musician had established a reputation, he was assured of a good reception, but not so in Palestine. Mr. Salzman said he could quote several instances of famous artists faring badly because for some reason or other they had not given of their best. On the other hand, a French pianist, whose name was unknown, had been a tremendous success just because he was very good, After nine years of life in this atmosphere, how did he like being in Australia? Very much. He found playing with a quartet the most satisfying work, and he was glad to lead a less busy existence. In Palestine, with appearances with the orchestra, quartet recitals, and teaching, he was working a 16-hour day much of the time, and had insufficient opportunity for practice. In addition he preferred the Australian climate, for that of Palestine took a toll of both nerves and instruments. The Musica Viva group will broadcast from 1YA on October 30; 2YA, October 19 and 28; 3YA, October 20 and 27, 4YA, October 22 and 24; 4YZ, October 21; and 2XN, October 29, .