Especially for Young People

New Zealand Listener, Volume 32, Issue 818, 1 April 1955, Page 6

Especially for Young People

"FN all the cities and provincial towns which the National Orchestra visits it tries to give concerts for school children. At these concerts many children see a symphony orchestra in action for the first time, and experience, also for the first time, the real thrill that: "live" music "alone can give. What happens when thesé children leave school? Does their newly-awakened interest in good music just die for lack of nourishment? The regular subscription concert series is mainly supported by ‘older musiclovers, but during the "Prom" series the young people appear in encouraging numbers again. They enjoy the lighthearted atmosphere, the less serious choice of music, and the greater emphasis on contemporary works which they find easier to appreciate than the classics. Now the NZBS plans to try out an experimental concert in Wellington especially for young people aged about fifteen to twenty-five. The Listene? asked the Orchestra’s conductor James Robertson what he had in mind for this concert, which is to be given in the Wellington Town Hall on Saturday, April 16. "We're trying to bridge the gap for these young people between the music. which they hear at school concerts and the subscription programmes," he said. "They all like the ‘Proms,’ but we want to give them something more solid than that-something of their own. For instance, young people generally like and understand contemporary music better than older people do, so we're giving them the Malcolm Arnold Second Symphony in its first performance in New Zealand. This was first heard in England ‘only last year. Arnold used to be a trumpeter before he became a full-time

composer and his music is gay. Its harmony is modern, but not dry or academic. We're starting off with Arthur Benjamin’s North American Square Dance; which is very lively, and the next item I won’t say much about except that it’s an orthodox tune treated in an unorthodox way. I hope this will be enlightening, but fun. "In a more’ romantic mood, Janetta McStay will play the solo part in Grieg’s Piano Concerto. That’s one of the popular classics which almost never gets played. Programme planners are

scared™ stiff» of it, but it will probably be new to most of our audience, and is really a lovely thing. Without. being. pedantic I hope to run through the main themes of the Arnold Symphony which comes" next so that it will be easier to take in. Then there’ll be another mystery item with some last-minute changes in the membership of the Orchestra, and we'll finish with Enesco’s Rou--manian Rhapsody." When we talked about the Youth Concert to J. L. Hartstonge, the Ser--vice’s Concert Manager, he said that it was an idea that the NZBS were very keen to try out. Similar concerts were being given in America,

Australia and England, and had proved a great success. The Australian concerts were started by Sir Bernard Heinze, who was then conductor of the Victorian Symphony Orchestra. Now. the Youth Concerts Commit-

tee there has to organise its own subscription series with a big proportion of young artists among the soloists. The ABC sponsors the concerts and the demand for seats is so great that each concert has to be given twice. Like the Australian series, Wellington’s concert will be given at reduced prices, and reservations will be open on the first three days only to young people. For the remaining two days anyone may apply. "Of course," Mr. Hartstonge said, "we’re not going to police the doors looking at everyone’s teeth. The

concert will be open to anybody who thinks he'll enjoy it." It is being held ly in the season so as not to clash with examination times. Hostels and other institutions catering (for young people are being given full and it is hoped that in this way many people who havé not met the Orchestra before will come, like what they hear, and come again. The NZBS haven't forgotten the inner man either. Refreshments will be on sale-vnot_ buffet style as at the "Proms," but theatrefashion.