A TIMELY RECORD

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 31, 8 February 1935, Page 21

A TIMELY RECORD

Victorian Music Makers

(By

Bolton Woods

[JNDER the title of "Music Makers of the Sunny South," Gladys Rhys Davies has assembled in book form a "General Survey of Music.and Musicians in Victoria." Our copy from Robertson and Mullens, Ltd., Melbourne, is excellent value at: ‘halt- ~aerown. This timely record fittingly coincides with the 1934 Melbourne Centenary, and the compiler approached her task with enthusiasm and efficiency. Within the compass of this little book we have a veritable "Who's Who?’ a "Who Was Who?’ and a "What's What?’ of Victorian music and musicians. The data is attractively grouped, and the historical section makes interesting reading. Prima donnas from Anna, the runaway wife of Sir Henry Bishop, down to Melba, Austral and others, composers. conductors, singers and instrumentalists, all find a place and the personnel of various colleges of music are treated with engaging interest. Churches, societies, orchestras and musical clubs of various kinds receive attention, and, }'ut for one or two slips, the work is a dependable one. Suggested errata might make rer ence to Frances Alda (not Alder), : native of Christchurch, New not Melbourne, byt the way. Her original nome was Davies. An important omission is the name of Claude M. Haydon, native of South Yarra, Melbourne, a composer of much merit, residing in Wellington. The statement that the British Music Society has closed down jis due for qualification. It was only the head office that put up the shutters. All ,the branches throughout Britain and _the Empire are flourishing.