THE WORLD OF MUSIC

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Volume 58, Issue 179, 30 August 1929, Page 2

THE WORLD OF MUSIC

(By "B Natural").

Alore than 100 syniphony orchestra, concert, opera, and band musicians t\ho have been thrown out of employinent in New York by talking devices in motion picture theatres, the radio, and general liard times in the musical world, have organised a ep-operatlve enterprise to combat competition from inechanical and electrical sources. With ihe support of the Socialist Party and the American Federation of Musicians, Ihe unemployed violinists, drununers, horn-blowers, pianists, and others will gwe a series of public concerts of their own. * * It is announced that the Westminsier Glee Singers are to tour New Zealand shortly. The comhination, which has been rfeorganised since its last visit, is stated to be the finest that Mr Edward Branscombe has directed. The party comprises six boys and nine men. Their repertoire consists of over 150 examples of part singing, ranging from the madrigal and glee with occasional anthems and Christmas carols, in addition to a most interesting series of solos with an accompaniment of voices. Not only is ever.v memher of the company a soloist from oue of the famous English churches, but they are noted for the perfection of ensemble. * * Following is a summary of the activities qf the Dominion during the next month or two : — Dunedin Cboral Society, "Merrie England".; New Plymouth Choral Society, miscellaneons concert, and after that "Merrie England" ; Nelson Harmonie Society, ' Elijah" Hutt Choral Society, "A Tale of Old Japan" : Palmerston NTorth Choral Society, "St. Paul" ; Levin Choral Society Edward German's •''Tom Jones." * * !* The love of melody hy the general public is remarkable — the simple melody — tliat which they can remember easilv and take home from the concert hall or theatre after hearing it only once. Staid people knit their hrows uhen almost a ,whole audience hursts xnto applause at hearing the name of a popular song or tune .announced, or when the first bar or two of the introduction is played on the piano. Schubert's "F Minor Musical Afoment." ihe Toreador's Song from "Carmen," or_ "Home, Sweet Home." will have tbis effect, and at Giannini's recitals, "Annie Laurie," "O Sole Mio," or "La Paloma." brought all smiles and enthusiastic hnndclapping beforo the artist sanjz a note, savs the Svdney Sun. TJndoubtedly, melodv is the intrinsic characteristie of music. Some love it in the classics, but the great majoritv. be it to their credit or not, love it in ihe lesser musical effusions.