PROM CONCERTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 23, 18 November 1938, Page 5

PROM CONCERTS IN NEW ZEALAND

Audience Will Smoke At | Ease While It Listens To The Great Masters

FATR-HATRED conductor Leon de Mauny, of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, faced with the faci that money must be raised to keep the orchestra) going, since each symphony orchestra costs £130, last week announced that New Zealand should have a promenade concert on the lines of the famous "Proms," conducted by Sir Henry Wood in the Queen’s Hall, London, On November 19, in Wellington, interested students of the more English than the English movement in New Zealand will be able to watch the reaction to this idea.

F e ; tn the big. Town Hall of Wellington, ‘ people will be permitted to stand on the ground floor for, 1/6, in loose, comfort able clothes, smoking as they listen to the orchestra. ~~

For 2/6, people will be able to . take seats upstairs in the dress circle. Apart from those in the row of chairs round the sides of the hall, the audience downstairs will stand. "People smoke in the hall as they watch wrestling,’ said Conductor de Mauny to the "Record." "There is no reason why they should not be allowed to smoke as they listen to music. "Tf the people upstairs wish, they can get pass checks to come downstairs. "On the ground fioor there will be a centre-piece of palms and flowers, in place of the Queen’s Hall fountain. Leon de Mauny. ; "Tf the first ‘Prom’ is a suecess, three will be given next year. The first one will not be broadcast,

"T have had the idea for ‘Proms’ in mind for some time," Conductor de Mauny said to the "Record." "We decided to make it this year, because of the state of the funds." Vivid description of scenes at the London "Proms" was given the "Record" by radio talker and musician Valerie C. Corliss. On the last of her four visits to England in 1931, she had a seat in the balcony, looked down into the huge pool in the centre of the floor below. "Tt was ring . with green chairs. I could see the goldfish and the waterlilies, and the flat leaves of the palms. It was cool and lovely in hot August. It made you imagine perfume and coolness floating up. "Famous ccmposers would be there in the balcony. Dame Hithel Smythe and Arnold Bax-and on the floor below a quaint mixture of artists in odd clothes, ordinary people and Londoners. "Coloured lights in the water and the coloured frocks of the women made a vivid kaleidoscope below. ’ "Winthusiasm when Sir Henry Wood appeared was tumultuous. Bowler hats would be w.ved on walking sticks and English ‘bravos' would come from everywhere. "The whole audience was keyed up after this to a high pitch of artistic sensitivity for the music.