A Noted 2YA Artist

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 25, 31 December 1931, Page 6

A Noted 2YA Artist

George Ellwood---C ellist, ‘Conductor

NE of the most consistent performers at 2YA is Mr. George Iellwood, ‘cellist, who has been associated with the station almost since its inception. Mo. Ellwood is a brilliant musician, and it will ve yemembered was the ’cellist of the Syrmons-Short-Elwood trio, Which was heard regularly from this station in 1927 and 1928. Myr. Illwood, who is a well-known | Wellington teacher, was born in Yorkshire, Iingland, but came to New Zealand at a very: early age. THis father, a keen deyotee of music, bought him his first ’cello and taught him the notes, after which he had to rely upon his own inborn talent ‘and capacity for hard work. he ’cello was a fullsized instrument, and so large that young George -had to stand up in order to manipulate it. Before long he began to play chamber music with his elder brother as a violinist, and his sister % pianist, and thus at the early age of seven he commenced his association with chrimber music. One morning Hugh Gorlitz, the well-known impressario and the manager of Gerardy, Kubelik and other distineuish-

ed notubilities, heard the: youthful trio and immediately arranged a New Zealand tour. After a brilliantly successfnl tour in New Zealand, during which time young George was termed by the Press as a pocket edition of Gerardy, the trio returned to Europe to study. Shortly after his return to London, the young ‘cellist, armed with a letter ef introduction, sought out Gene Gerardy. who, after hearing the lad of eleven play, sprang from his chair, exclaiming: "L will teach you for nothing’--a great privilege, us Gerardy’s fee was four guineas an hour. Whilst under the personal tuition of Gerardy, George Ellwood entered the Liege Conservatoire, und was admitted to Gerardy’s master Class. At the conclusion of nine months’ study, he entered for a scholarship and gained "The Premier Prix." It is believed that this is the first time in the history of the Conservatoire that this great honour has been gained by a boy of twelve. From the Liege Conseryitoire have graduated many fanious string players, such as Gerardy, Ysaye, Ovide. Joseph Jongen, Charles de Berliot and others. The concours exunination of the conservatoires in Belginm are open to public attendance, so much are they considered of national importance. After George Ellwood's performance the whole audience of two thousand people gave spontaneous abandon to a great demonstration of approval, eclipsed only by the ovation accorded the artist when he wits acclaimed as the winner of the coveted honour. Vliwood vas henceforth known as the "little foreigner who had gained the Vremier Prix." Leaving Liege, Ellwood joined the trio and followed Gerardy to Brussels. During this time they studied chamber Imusic with zealous intensity, some-

times Pauline Bllwood and sometimes Madame Gerardy-a very accomplished pianiste-would take the piano, with George at the ‘cello and his brother the violin, Gerardy playing any part that was.missing. It was during these months that George Ellwood acquired a great love for the beautiful music, encouraged and inspired as he was by Gerardy’s own fine emotional sense. ¥rom Brussels he followed Gerardy to Berlin for further study, and eighteen months later they returned and toured New Zealand. In 19183 George Fllwood returned fo Loudon to play for Madam Clara Butt’s great concert at the Albert Hall, which was to be the grand finale of her world tour. Unfortunately. through illhealth, he was unable to perform, and his place was taken by Jacques Torman, the great ’cellist. On his recovery Mr. Ellwood went to Berlin, and a few days later the Great War commenced. Ile made a remarkable exit from Germany through mixing with some fou thousand undesirable Russians, whom Germany was deporting. We boarded 2 Swedish vessel and eventually found his way back to England, where he visited the Guild Hall School of Music for the purpose of studying harmony. Completing his course, My. Ellwood re- turned to New Zealand and established himself as a teacher in Christchurca, where he quickly won an enyiable reputation. In 1918 Mr. Ellwood returned fo Europe, proceeding to Brussels, where he commenced a course of composition, instrumentation and conducting with -Jongen, the director’ of the Brussels Conservatoire, also. studying and choral training with Maurice Weynuudt,

Mr. Ellwood on this oceasion remained on the Continent for over four years, visiting France, Holland, Germany, Italy, Belgium, England, and Denmark. When he returned to New Zealand, he settled in Wellington. Since his arrival in that city his musical activities have been indeed varied. He was choirmaster at the Basilica for over two years-a position he resigne owing to the pressure of teach ing. He igs a much-sought-after soloist. For over two years he was with the Radio Broadcasting Company, first as 4 member of the Symons-E!l-wood-Short Trio, then as conductor of the original 2YA Orchestra. ‘This position he resigned when offered a teimpting engagement to form and conduct the orchestra for the Majestic Theatre, Wellington. This orchestra was considered to be one of the finest of its kind in Australasia. Unfortunately at the advent of the "talkies" this splendid body ceased operations. For the last two years Mr. Pllwood has been the conduc- | tor of the Palmerston North

Orchestral Society, a capable body ot about 60 players, and is fostering a love of music in that city. In spite of the great demand made upon his teaching, he has still found time to perform for Wellington audiences-in conjunction with other well-known artists of Wellington-over 80 masterpieces of chamber music, trios, quartets, ete. As 9 teacher he is very well known. He has successfully coached pupils for the highest examinations — LA.B., ¥.T.C.L.-in theory, violin, piano and cello. This record i: undoubtedly unique in Australasia, and Mr. Ellwood certainly made musical history at the Concert Chamber when over 40 of his ‘cello pupils massed and performed in unison, with surging tone, the Aingf Matheson and Largo of Handel. ~~‘