NBS WORLD PREMIERE

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 30, 6 January 1939, Page 4

NBS WORLD PREMIERE

-_ English Composer Gives His Masterpiece From Station 2YA

NEw ZEALAND had the honour of presenting through 2YA the first broadcast to the world of the complete musical dramatic work ‘‘Dr. Faustus,’’ composed by visiting English musician Andersen Tyrer. Andersen Tyrer’s dramatic musical excerpt from Marlowe’s "Dr. Waustus," now takes its place with William Walton’s First Symphony, and other important modern works, whose world premieres were made through radio. Production of the completed work on Thursday, December 22, was a red-letter night in 2YA’s history. Marlowe’s play is based on the familiar folk tale. The hero studies necromancy, and makes a solemn disposal of his soul to Lucifer, on condition of having 2 familiar spirit at his command and unlimited enjoyment for 24 years; during which period Faustus visits different countries, "calls up spirits from the vasty deep,’ and revels in luxury and splendour. At length the time expires, the bond becomes due, and evil spirits enter, amidst thunder and lightning, to claim his forfeit life. Passages of terrific grandeur and thrilling agony were selected by the composer, and the two scenes which go to make up his remarkable work prove the acuteness of his spiritual insight. Andersen Tyrer never allowed listeners to forget that the ambition of Faustus is a sensual, not a lofty ambition. A feeling of curiosity and wonder is excited by his compact with Lucifer; but there is no real sympathy for Faustus till all his disguises are stripped off and his meretricious splendour is succeeded by horror and despair. Then, when he stands on the brink of everlasting ruin waiting for the fatal moment, imploring, yet distrusting repentance, a scene of entrancing interest, fervid passion and overwhelming pathos carries captive the sternest heart and proclaims the triumph of the tragic poet. Such is the stuff of this 1604 play by Marlowe which Mr. Tyrer ‘set about depicting in music which ranges many deeply conflicting emotions and taxes the technical resources of orchestra, choir and narrator. That the composer has scored a triumph is the barest statement of the position.

More competent narrator for the work than Professor James Shelley, or one with a finer intellectual background through which to approach an exacting task, could not have been found. The narrator made every word, every mood, every emotion, tell, and at the last presented to his listeners a deeply moving picture of that terrible striygle which wages in the breast of a philosopher torn between cynicism and superstition. Mr. Tyrer was fortunate in having the services of Mr. Stanley Oliver’s choir, the Schola Cantorum, who tackled the choral sections in a- capable manner and creditably surmounted most of the difficulties. Through a set of circumstances over which there was no control, the time for adequate rehearsals

was woefully short, but even so, the choir emerged with fiying colours, and apparently revelled in their work. With the augmented 2YA orchestra, Mr. Tyrer was not so fortunate. This is not to say that the composer was in any sense "let down," but in a work of the grandeur and scope of "Dr, Faustus"? a much higher level of technical efficiency is essential, Station 2YA has now enjoyed the unusual distinction of presenting the first performance of a work that pulses with human interest. ee