Star Trio Engaged for 2YA

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 13, 14 October 1927, Unnumbered Page

Star Trio Engaged for 2YA

As announced in last week’s "Radio Record,’ Mr. W. J. Bellingham, Director of Music for the Broadcasting Company, has, in pursuance of his policy to provide good music for listeners, secured the services of the Symons-Ellwood-Short Trio for 2YA. This is one of the most brilliant combinations of instrumentalists in the Dominion, and the engagement will.prove a boon to listeners.

In the realm of music here, surely, are three names to conjure with-Miss Ava Symons, Mr. George Ellwood, and Mr. Gordon Short-for are they not the names of a trio of New Zealand’s most brilliant instrumentalists? ‘The query is superfluous, because the superlative qualifications of these eminent artists are known to and acknowledged by the musical community of the Dominion. Hitherto the enjoyment of their brilliant ertistry has been limited’ to the comparative few, even though, time and again, the lure of their exquisite music has filled our largest concert halls. Now, thanks to the marvel of radio, their melodies are to bring delight to unnumbered Joousands not only throughout the ength and breadth of this, their homeland, but scattered over the broad continent of the neighbouring Commonwealth and the lonely isles of the wide Pacific. To the utmost limits of the far-flung circle swept by the magic waves of 2YA, Wellington, will penetrate, through the instrumentation of the Symons-Ellwood-Short Trio, the inspiring music of the Great Masters. What an audience! Yet the fare to be provided by thesé talented musicians shall be worthy of its glad acceptance. In proof of the validity of this assurance, let ‘The Radio Record" introduce them individually: MR. GORDON SHORT. Gordon Short was born and educated in South Australia, and it would seem that he must have been born with music in his soul, for, at the age of eleven years, he made his first public appearance before an audience of one thousand concert patrons. Thus was marked the beginning of what was destined to be a distinguished musical career, His next achievement was to win a scholarship open to pianoforte students throughout the State, entitling him to four years’ training at the Elder Conservatorium, which is affiliated with the University. So well did he use this great opportunity that he became the youngest holder of the diploma of Associate in Music of the Adelaide University. ‘Thereafter, Mr. Short became one of South Anstralia’s busiest pianists, being called upon to fill innumerable engagements in all parts. of the State, including a number of appearances with orchestras of high standing. But the young musician. was not satisfied with his attainments. Hence, several years before the war, he went to Europe to continue his studies. His star was in the ascendant, for he had the good fortune to become a pupil of Teresa Carreno, then acknowledged by Continental critics as the greatest liying woman pianiste. Many music lovers still remember Carreno’s triumphant tours through New Zealand, though ’tis many years since she gave her farewell recital in this Dominion. Mr. Short was also privileged to attend the artists’ class held twice a week by the great Hungarian pianist, Ernst Dohnanyi, by special permission of the director of the world-famous Berlin Hochschule. It may be noted here that Mischa Levitzki, whose supetb playing stirred New Zealand’s musicians to the depth a few years ago, graduated from this class, After the death of Teresa Carreno Mr. Short continued his studies with Josef Weiss, the greatest of presentday Hungarian pianists, and a favourite pupil of the great Liszt. Josef

Weiss was the first pianist in Europe to give complete programmes of compositions by Brahms,, and Mr. Short seized the opportunity to make a special study of the works by this composer. Always in the promotion of his art, Mr. Short has resided at various times in London, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, and New York, frequently in close association with many of the world’s most eminent aitists. Before the war he became in Berlin a busy teacher of the Carreno system of muscular relaxation. He has played with marked success in different European countries, while throughout the Dominion he will be remembered as pianist to the Notariello Concert Company which toured New Zealand about six years ago under oe management of Messrs. J. and N. ait. Mr. Tait’s concert work has everywhere earned the highest praise of the critics. In the arena of public service Mr. Gordon Short has given lecture recitals at many of the leading schools and colleges in the North Island, while in Wellington his: name

has been associated with quite a number of brilliantly successful recitals. MISS AVA SYMONS. Miss Ava Symons, the muusualiy gifted violinist, is the violinist of the . trio, and her work adds grace and distinction to any concert programme. Miss Symons is a New Zealander. She showed exceptional talent during her early studias with Max Hoppe, when she won first prize at the Napier competitions, and also attained a similar distinction at the Auckland competitions in the open class in the same year (1911), To pursue her studies she journeyed to England, entered the Royal Academy, and studied there under the well-known violinist and ex-

ponent of the Auer School, Mr. Spencer Dyke. Owing to the war and unforseen circumstances, in 1914 Miss Symons returned to New Zealand, and since has made several successful tours throughout the Dominion. In 1919 Miss Symons went to England again, and in London was fortunate enough: to receive tuition from the fainous French violiniste, Mdlle. Rene Chemet. It was this great artist who was responsible for Miss Symons securing the beautiful "Grand Nicola Amati" violin which: she now possesses. Since her return to the Dominion, Mits Symons has been heard at many concerts and has given recitals with Mr. Frank Hutchens, Miss Constance Leatham, and, in Wellington, a_ series of most successful sonata recitals. At these recitals no less than fourteen different sonatas were performed, man for the first time in New Zealand. In 1922 Miss Symons played in Auckland with the Bohemian Orchestra, the "Symphonic Espagnole," Lalo, for violin and orchestra, and of this performance the ‘‘New Zealand Herald’? said: "Playing entirely from memory,

the clever violinist entered fully into the spirit of the music, playing woe only with success of technique in the manly intricate passages, but exhibiting charms and expression in the more delicate movements of the composition. The andante gave frequent opportunities for a beautiful tone quality, while the final "Rondo" showed the refined rhythmic sense of the artist.." Miss Symons had the privilege of studying this work with YToscha Seidel, the eminent violinist. On her return from another trip abroad in 1924, when she received special tuition from Maestro Poltronjeri, principal violin master of the Milan Conservatoire of Music the Tocalon String Quartet .was formed, and later she joined Mr. Gordon Short

and Mr. George Eilwood, giving the series of trio evenings which have been enlogised by all who have heard them. _ Miss Symons’s playing is characterby sound methods, and her simple, unaffected style, fine technical capacity, natural artistry and charming personality make her appearance a pleasure and an education. MR. GEORGE ELLWOOD. Mr. George Iillwood was born in Yorkshire, England, but ‘he came to ‘New Zealand at such a very early age that he may well be’regarded as a New Zealander. As a musician, a New Zealander he most certainly is, for it was here, when only seven years old, that he commenced the study of the ’cello. One morning, however, Mr. Hugo Gorlitz, the well-known impressario and manager of Gerardy, Kubelik, ‘and other distinguished notabilities, heard the youthful trio (the sister as pianiste), and immediately arranged a New Zealand tour, The trio toured with remarkable success, young George being termed by the Fress "a pocket edition of Gerardy." After this tour the trio proceeded to Europe to study. London held them for a few weeks, and then, armed with a letter of introduction to Jean Gerardy, they proceeded to Brussels. Gerardy, after hearing the lad of eleven play, sprang from his chair, exclaiming "I will teach him for nothing!’-a very great privilege, as Gerardy’s fee was £4 4s. an hour. In addition to taking these private lessons, George Ellwood entered thie Liege Conservatoire, and was admitted into Gerardy’s ‘‘master class." On the conclusion of nine months’ study he entered for the scholarship and gained the "Premier Prix.’? This, we believe, is the only time in the history of the Conservatoire that this -great honour has been gained by a boy of twelve. The Liege Conservatoire has long been famous for its string players, and such famous men as Gerardy, Eugene Page, Ovide Musin, Joseph Jongen, Charles de Beriot, and others, too numerous to mention, had received their training within its walls. The concours"-examinations-of the conservatoires in Belgium are considered of national importance, and, though held in the halls of the conservatoire, are open to public attendance. After George Ellwood’s performance the whole audience of two thousand people gave spontaneous — vent to a great demonstration of approval, which was only eclipsed by the splendid ovation accorded _ the youthful artist when he was the winner of the coveted honour. Following this memorable event George -Ellwood was known throughout the city of Liege as "the little foreignet who had gained the Premier Prix." Leaving Liege, the Ellwood Trio followed Gerardy to Brussels, where, living but two or three doors away, they became virtually members of his houseliold. It was during this time that the Fllwocds studied chamber music with zealous intensitv, devoting themselves to it every night from 8 o'clock, often until nearly 1 am. ‘Trios and quartets were played. Sometimes Paniine Ellwood, sometimes Madame Gerardy-a very accomplished pianiste-would {ake the piano, with George on the ’cello, his brother on the violin, and, in quar(Continued on page 5.)

STAR TRIO FOR 2YA (Continued from cover.)

tets, Gerardy higself would play any other part that was missing. Happy months indeed, during which George acquired his great love for the beautiful in music, Gerardy’s own fine emotional sense proving a constant source of in spiration. Gerardy then moved to Bet lin, and again the trio followed for further study. After spending cighteen months in that city the Ellwoods came back to New Zealand and toured: the Dominion. ; In 1913 George Millwood returned to London to play at Madam Clara Butt’s great concert in the Albert Hall, which was, so to speak, the grand finale of her world tour. Unfortunately, on acs count of ill-health, he was unable to perform, and his place was teken by Jaques Hallmann, the great ’cellist. Re« covering, Mr. Ellwood went over to Berlin, only to discover, but a few days after his arrival, that the Great, War had commenced. He landed in Berlin on July 28, and on August 1° (the- day of the outbreak of hostilities betwee Germany and Russia) he obtained his passport vise. As soon as Great Britain’s entry into the conflict was announced, on the fateful August 4, he endeavoured to leave terlin. All routes were being monopolised for military transport, and it was not until about two weeks later that Mr. Ellwood was «able to take train to the tlorth of Germany, and there, mixing with some 4090 undesirable Russians whom Germany was sending back to Russia, lie was able, without showing his passport, to board a Swedish -vessel, on which he was taken to Sweden. From there he went to Denmark, and, eventually, back to Iingland, where he et tered the Guildhall School of Music for the purpose of prosecuting his studies in harmony, etc. On the completion of this course, Mr, Ellwood again returned to New Zealand, and cstablishing himself as a teacher in Christchurch, where very quickly he won an enviable reputation. Amongst his well-known pupils at that tine was Mr. Marold Beek, the ’cellist of the talented trio who nowadays broadcast from RYA, Christchurch. Tn 1918 MrEllwood once more turned his face towards Europe, proceeding to Brussels, where le commenced a course of come position, instrumentation, and conducts ing, with Joseph Jongen, the director of the Brtisscls Conservatoire, also studying singing and choir training with Maurice Weynandt. ° Mr. Ellwood on this oceasion tremained on the Continent for nearly four years, visiting Trance, Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, and TEneland, About two years ago he "came home’ to New Zealand and settled in Wellington, where he is now well: known as a teacher, soloist, and choirmaster.