"MENIN GATE"

Radio Record, 6 May 1938, Page 22

"MENIN GATE"

TO BE HEARD SOON FROM 2YA WVHEN he brought to light a composition which he called "Menin Gate," dedicated to ‘the memory of the Unknown Soldier, Mr. Percy Nicholls, of Christchurch, found many fellow musicians keenly interested in the work. It was introduced first at an Anzac Day service in King Edward Barracks,

and was played by Woolston, top-rank-ing band of Canterbury, Mr. Nicholls, whose business interests prevent him from doing very much singing nowadays, was known not so long ago as the "New Zealand tenor." Moreover, he has made several records of operatic arias. MWe informed the ‘Record’s" Christchurch reporter last week that he had Teceiyed advice from 2YA that that station had scheduled his composition for performance by the Port Nicholson Band at abont 9.83 p.m. on May 6. Mr. Arthur Lilly, A.R.C.O., arranged the piece, which is generally of a meditative character, opening with a. longing, wistful thought. A response increases in intensity until it becomes: dramatic, bold and dignified, and rerches a florid figure of the flight of thoughts to things above the horror of the world tragedy. The final soft andante moyement tells of peace and resignation.