HAYDN‘S TOY SYMPHONY

New Zealand Listener, Volume 34, Issue 869, 29 March 1956, Page 5

HAYDN‘S TOY SYMPHONY

Sir-The point of criticism in my letter concerping the performance of the Toy Symphony appears to have been missed by your correspondent Dulcie M. Cohen. My contention was that the symphony was badly performed because a capable musician was not in control of the orchestra, It was interesting to read that Dulcie M. Cohen conducted the New South Wales State Orchestra at several performances of the Toy Symphony. By her own words-‘"and I’m no ‘Danny Kaye"-she supports my argument. It seems to be apparent that Dulcie M..Cohen did not conduct the orchestra in the capacity of a public humorist or comedian, but in the capacity of an experienced and capable musician. My simple contention that a musician and not a comedian should have conducted the Toy Symphony has so incensed two other correspondents, "Bop and Bach," that their associated mental reactions have led them to assume that I am a worthy gentleman richly en-

dewed with unoriginal conservatism, that I dislike "pops" concerts in general and that I should listen to some other programme. Impetuous assumptions such as these, which stem from annoyance and not from logic, add nothing of value to the discussion. "Bop and Bach" ask if I would dare "to criticise Haydn for daring to introduce a little levity into the sacred art of music." This is nonsense, Obviously I do not criticise Haydn. I can see the humour in the Toy Symphony. It is inherent in the music itself. It is a subtle humour that does not require the addition of conductoral buffoonery. ; In Vienna, in 1790, Joseph Haydn himself conducted the first performance of the little musical joke Toy Symphony. He did not receive his baton from a large suitcase, and he did not clown his conducting.

VIA MEDIA

(Wellington).