NOW IS THE HOUR KIWI E.A. 39

Te Ao Hou, June 1961, Page 62

NOW IS THE HOUR KIWI E.A. 39 The Amorangi Boys of Rotorua, with Leah Clubb I would be inclined to retitle this record, ‘Music for Maoris who hate Maoris’. The cover notes describe the choir thus … “Its precision, security of pitch, phrasing and dynamic variety are evidence of a remarkable discipline.” As far as this goes, I have no quarrel, but when all musical sincerity is sacrificed for the sake of discipline, I am prepared to do so vehemently. Blame for the amazing machine-like performance cannot be directed at the boys, but at their musical director. He has created a breath-controlled impression of out-pronouncing (or conversely, nosethumbing) the liquid quality of the Maori language. Beneath the Maori Moon, presented with the title song, Hoki Hoki Tonu Mai, and Nga Rongo, is a splendid example of all that is phony in the mixture of cultures. To give credit where it is due, the boys, and in particular the fine young baritone soloist, have a fine tone, but the Maori language deserves a better place for its preservation and enjoyment than on this particular disc.