An Evening with N.Z. Composers

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 49, 20 June 1930, Page 3

An Evening with N.Z. Composers

Special Feature Programme from 5YA

"NEW ZEALAND NIGHT," | a programme consisting exclusively of the works of New Zealand composers and authors, will be broadcast from 8YA. on Thursday, June 26. This will be an | entertainment to delight_all listeners and at the same time demon-, strate the high standard attained by some of New Zealand’s best composers in both vocal and instrumental music. The 8YA Musical and Dramatic Committee, which suggested concerts of this nature, is to be commended _on its initiative and on the zeal and __ help it has displayed in the organising of the programme. The coming concert will be the first of a series. The chairman of the committee, Mr. T. W. Dent, will open the concert with an explanatory prologue and will make brief remarks concerning each of the composers, Some of the finest artists in Christchurch have been engaged for the evening and full justice will be done to the various items. The performers will be Miss Lilian Hanham (soprano), Miss Mary Taylor (contralto), Mr. Harold Prescott (tenor), Mr. T. D. Williams (baritone), Mr. Bernard Barker (violin), Miss Pearl Stringer (’eello), Miss Irene Morris (violin), Mr. Harold Shaw (elocutionist) and the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. In addition to these there will be the Concordia Chorus, the. Christchurch Orchestral Society’s Orchestra, the Avonside Branch of the Girls’ High School, and the Concordia String Quartet. Prominent among the composers whose work will be presented is Miss Dorothy Filkins, a clever young lady of Christchurch. She was-recently

awarded a prize by the Imperial Culture Society of Christchurch for her work in setting to miusic Shelley’s poem "Prometheus Unbound." . This cantata will be sung by the Concordia Vocalists, with soprano and contralto solos and orchestral accompaniment. Three other compositions by Miss Filkins will also be presented: "Slumber Song" (with ’cello obligato by Miss Pearl Stringer), a ’cello solo, "Nocturne," and a string quartette, "Quartette in G Major." Mr. H. Rossiter, a well-known Christchurch musician, will be represented by two solos, "Zealandia’"’ (words by the late Mr. R. Thompson, of Christchurch) and "O Salutaris Hostia’" (with violin and ’cello obligato by Miss Irene Morris and Mr. Harold Beck). There will be two overtures composed by Mr. R. A. Horne, of Christchurch, and his very fine work "Ave will be sung as a tenor solo by Mr. H. Prescott, with piano, organ and violin obligato by Misses D. Davies and Irene Morris. Mr. Prescott will also sing "Achal by the Sea," composed by Rosada Lawrence (Mrs. R. A. Horne). This song was sung by Miss Edith Harrhy recently at 3YA when the composer was present. Miss Alice Forrester, who was the first lady in Australasia to be awarded the degree of Bachelor of Music, will be represented by the solo,

"Search Me, O God," to be sung by Miss Mary Taylor. One of the compositions of Mrs. Mai Burns-Loughnan, another Christchurch composer, "I Gave You a Gift,’ will be sung by Mr, Williams, and "Souvenir," from the pen of the same lady, will be played by Miss Irene Morris as a violin solo.

A baritone solo, with chorus by the Coneordia singers, ‘‘We’re Coming Back, Zealandia," has been composed by Mr. Arthur Lilly, A.R.C.O., organist at Holy Trinity Church, Avonside. The words to the song were written by Mrs. F. C. Jenkins. Mr. Gordon McBeth, one of whose compositions, "Berceuse," will be played by the Christchurch Broadeasting Trio, is a Wanganui musician. He wus studying in Germany when the war broke out, but fortunately was able to leave that country and saw the war from the British side of the Western Front. Mr. Frank Hutchens, the talented New Zealander who is at present Pro-

fessor of Pianoforte at the Sydney Conservatorium, is the composer of "Elegie," a violin solo to be played ‘by Mr. Bernard Barker, and ‘"Andante,’’ which Miss Dorothy Davies, a

former Conservatorium student and a ‘pupil of his, will play. A trio to be played by the Christchurch Broad~casting Trio is also a composition. by Mr. Hutchens. No New Zealand programme would be complete without Maori melodies, and two will be sung by Miss Mary Taylor-"Aroha" (by Te Rangi Pai) and "Haere! Haere Mai," (by Ka Te Kaura). The latter composer will be better known when it is known that she is Miss Ka Winiata, a member of the Wanganui Maori party which performs at 2YA. . Two elocutionary items will also appear on the programme. These will be "The Passing of the Forest" (by W. Pember Reeves) and "‘Maoriland"’ (by Adams). These will be recited by Mr. Harold Shaw. --