BRITISH SONG WRITERS

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 268, 27 July 1926, Page 3

BRITISH SONG WRITERS

W.E.A. LECTURE BY MR. R. PARKER

The excellent attendance which has characterised the short course given by Mr. R. Parker on "Songs and Songwriters," in the Dominion Farmers’ Institute Hall, on Saturday nights for the Workers’ Educational Association, was maintained last week, when the final lecture of the series was given on "British Composers." A special feature of these lectures has been the musical illustrations so admirably contributed by many of Wellington’s leading artists, and Mr. Parker was supported on this occasion by Mrs. H. Dunn, Miss N. Amies, and Mr. A. Clark. In commencing his lectuire Mr. Parker remarked that only the fringe of the subject had been touched, and while ho had endeavoured to sketch, the personality of the great masters, and the environment in which their work had been done, there yet remained many fine composers who are not so supreme as those ho had been considering. "There is still,” said Mr. Parker, "a wealth of musical material that is prau tically unexplored by our amateur singers, and to know it is to loye it and to love it is a' liberal education. Not that the old songs are the only ones worth singing—Parry, Stanford, and Elgar all belong to the last century, but they are not the best sellers, nor do they enjoy popular success. The most hopeful sign at the present is the long-wisbed-for direction of music our schools which is being realised.” The sixteenth and seventeenth centuries formed what must truly be called the golden age of English music, and many names stood out on the 101 l of song continued Mr. Parker. The most prominent and versatile oi this gifted company was Morley, who compiled a collection of madrigals, and was believed to have been a friend of Shakespeare. Composing," but it was not superficial art, and ing," but it was noa superficial art, and though very many ditties were written, a high standard was set and maintained, and there was nothing worthless among them. Indeed, a wealth of songs was poured out by these composers, which were accompanied by the lute, and Mr. Clark sang two examples. During the struggle for the Commonwealth in the seventeenth century, nothing was done to compare with the Elizabethan period, but under the Restoration, art was revived, and its finest product was Henry Purcell. His musical career began very early, and when only 17 this remarkable genius composed "When I am Laid in Earth, from the aria of “Dido and Aenea one of the most beautiful songs in existence. Puircell was appointed organist of Westminster Abbey, and . his works were very numerous, covering exe.ry kind of music practised in bis time. A whole evening could, be epent in illustrating the compositions of this original genius,” said the speaker, "for he is the outstanding figure in our musical history, and it is impossible to Bay what he might have accomplished had he lived at a later period. Henry Purcell died at the early age of 38, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. "The gigantic figure in England during the eighteenth centurv was Handel, who also possessed a notable contemporary in Dr. Arnold, the composer ot 'Rule, Brutannia,’ whose, greater claim to distinction lay in his settings to Shakespeare’s lyrics. The latter part of the eighteenth century produced many song writers, whose works are of great merit, and amongst these should be mentioned the names of C. E. Horne and Sir H. E. Bishop. Bishop was for a long time the most prominent composer in England, and was associated witti the stage for a number of years. He also wrote glees and choral works, and his compositions are noted for ttieir pleasing melody and courtlv elegance. He was the first musician in England to to be knighted and occupied the post tion of professor of Edinburgh University. and alter at Oxford. "During the nineteenth century very few song writers of real eminence were produced, and the greatest name of this period is Stcrndalc Bennett, who wrote many fine songs. Coining down to the present time there are many men, like Mallinson, who are writing beautiful things, and among them J ,aT^ ul K 1 ™ e r d tion should be made ot Sir Edward Elgar, the greatest song composer since the days of Purcell.” At the close of the lecture Mr. J. Read, W.F.A. secretary proposed a vote of thanks, to Mr. ?arker, and also to all the assisting artists, and to Mr E Dawson for supplying the piano The next lecture will be held on Friday evening next, when Mr. E. D. layler. director of school wlll speak_ on “How Music is Made.