HE FIDDLED WHILE RIMUTAKA BURNED

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 33, 27 January 1939, Page 5

HE FIDDLED WHILE RIMUTAKA BURNED

Brilliant Young Violinist’s Warm Introduction To New Zealand

We all know that Nero fiddled while Rome burned! That was a long, long time ago. Much more recently-week-‘before last, in fact-Maurice ‘Clare, brilliant young British violinist, fiddled while the s.s. Rimutaka burned merrily in mid-Pacific. His recital to his fellow pasgengers was given in the lounge ‘to an obbligato of hissing steam jets used Dy the crew to fight the ‘fire in the vessel’s holds. His performance, lasting an .four and a half, was a brilliant one. According ta passengers, he showed a mingling. of gentteness. and. virility and technical efficiency which aroused something warmer than respect, and the fire that raged below decks. Mr. and Mrs. Clare and daughter aged three; oecupied. cabin 59, immediately above the hold where

the fire started.. It was really due to Mrs. Clare that the officers were able to locate the exact position of the blaze.. When she saw smoke coming up through the grating into. her cabin, she notified: the officers. Seen by the "Record" reporter on the Rimutaka’s arrival at Auckland, Mr, Clare. had little-in fact nothing-to say about his unusual recital during the fire, except that it. gave him pleasure to entertain his fellow passengers. ' In late years he had been working night and day in Lon‘don, and. confessed that he. was tiring: of the life. One made ‘plenty of money in England, but that was not the only thing in dife. One wanted a little recrea‘tion and pleasure, This he hoped ‘he would get in New Zealand, as ‘well as a comfortable living. In England, he said, music was rapidly coming up to the Continental standard. The best teachers were available, largely because of the advent of Hitlerism. Many prominent musicians had also gone to England from Italy. England was producing contemporary music; as, good as th¢ :

best, but unfortunately three of the best composers — Holst, Delius and Sir Edward Elgarali died within. a year. Europe was no place today for the musi- . ciaa. The war psychology had 2a deadening effect om music-it might mean the end of it. Born in Dundee in 1914, Maurice Clare had his first tuition from his father, a fine violinist. In 1929, he became pupil to Professor Sevcik, of Prague, who said in a report that he would become "one of the best violinists of the day." Following year he was awarded the Caird Senior, Travelling Scholarship, which he held for three years. On leaving Prague he went to Professor Carl Flesch, in Berlin, and later completed his studies under one of the world’s greatest violin tutors, Georges Enesco, in Paris. Hnesco was the teacher of Yehudi Menuhin, Maurice Clare made his London debut at the Wigmore Hail in 1930, at the age of fifteen. He has appeared throughout Britain and had solo engagements with the Lon-

don Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham, and the Seottish Orchestra under Robert Heger and John Barbiralli. From 1934 until 1987 he was a member of the London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Thomas Beecham, and during that time he acted as sub-leader, several times being entrusted with the leadership of this great orchestra. He carries dozens of letters of introduction from famous musicians to executives in Australia and New Zealand. Albert Sammons, the famous violinist, in his letter- says of Clare: "I thoroughly recommend him as a. soloist and leader, Mr. Clare. possesses 2 wonderful technique, full tone and well-con-trolled temperament. I consider he’ is an ideal violinist to lead a symphony orchestra. He has had good experience playing under Sir Thomas Beecham, which includes symphony concerts, opera at Covent Garden and the Russian Ballet. He is a charming genileman and an enthusiastic musician." Pupil of Aibert Sammons, Mrs. Clare is also an accomplished violinist. Her daughter, although only three, is learning the instrument on a Chanot, made by a French ‘family resident in England. The bow was specially made for her.