AU REVOIR
MUCH has been written and spoken about James Robertson’s contribution to New Zealand music during his three-year term. And truly these contributions have been enormous. Under his energetic and eloquent baton, the National Orchestra has splendidly acquitted itself in large-scale works whose performance would have seemed impossible a few years ago. Mr Robertson is perhaps at his best when controlling large forces, full orchestra, hugé choir, and brass band, taking the roof off’ our town halls. I recall with pleasure the evenings of the Verdi Requiem, Belshazzar’s Feast, and King David, all remafvkably accomplished. Mr Robertson came to us after many years in opera houses, and he has not denied to us the benefit of his experience. The New Zealand Opera Company, for example, which began in 1954 with modest performances of one-act: operas for a cast of two, was enabled by Mr Robertson’s expert tutelage,. to bloom into the astounding achievement of The Consul earlier this year, with full orchestra, fine production and cast, and quartered no longer in an unsuitable hall, but, as is proper, in an Opera House. His radio operas have inaugurated a new and most stimulating form of entertainment, and the last of these, Eugen Onegin, was an artistic triumph. Yes, he has done all this and more, devotedly seeking out talent, nursing it, encouraging it, displaying it. Think ‘of the number of accomplished pianists who can now perform concertos with artistry and assurance! So, all gratitude to this tirelessly energetic man. But he leaves with us surely somewhat more than gratitude. His vivid personality, the charm and wit of the many hundreds of speeches we have demanded from him, the amusingly idiosyncratic notes he has given us from concert platforms, above all, his distaste for all pomposity in music, and
his irrepressible sense of fun, all add up to a man. whose presence we will sorely miss. There is a rumour abroad, which ‘he has not denied, that he will return to these shores. Let’s hope it’s true.
B.E.G.
M.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/periodicals/NZLIST19571115.2.44.1
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 953, 15 November 1957, Page 24
Word count
Tapeke kupu
338AU REVOIR New Zealand Listener, Volume 37, Issue 953, 15 November 1957, Page 24
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Material in this publication is protected by copyright.
Are Media Limited has granted permission to the National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa to develop and maintain this content online. You can search, browse, print and download for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Are Media Limited for any other use.
Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
Copyright in the Denis Glover serial Hot Water Sailor published in 1959 is owned by Pia Glover. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this serial and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the Listener. You can search, browse, and print this serial for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Pia Glover for any other use.
Log in