The Music Society

Hon. Secretary: M. A. BurrERwoRTH. Hon. Librarians: D. A. HAXEY, J. N. T. HOWAT.

The Society started the new school year well with its new Secretary and Committee, and considerable success has been attained. The two Music Society evenings were very well attended, as have been the Thursday lunch-time recitals. To these activities we have been glad to welcome many junior members of the School besides the older body of critics. Lunch-time recitals this term have been given by the following members, to whom we owe our thanks :- J. N. T. Howat—Rossini. D. A. Haxby—Elizabethan Music. E. Robinson—Mendelssohn. Mr. F. Waine and Mr. E. A. Wicks (Piano Duet)—Tchaikovsky. J. C. Oldroyd—Bliss. J. T. Ankers—Opera. M. A. Butterworth—'Chopin.

Reports will be found below of the other activities of the Music Society.

MUSIC SOCIETY CONCERT

On Saturday, 20th October, the Music Staff gave a very enjoyable •concert, and Mr. C. J. Walker, whom we are glad to welcome to St. Peter's, made his debut in Big

Mr. Waine led off with a performance of one of Nicholas Medtner's Fairy Tales. This music has all the vitality and imagination, combined with great elegance, of a true fairy tale, and proved a suitable curtain-raiser.

After this Mr. Walker joined Mr. Waine and they played Handers Sonata No. 4 in D for Violin and Piano, which has four movements, .adagio—allegro—larghetto—allegro.

The open-air vigour of the Handel was followed by the hot-house atmosphere of Maurice Ravel's Sonata for Piano, composed in 1905.

Mr. Walker and Mr. Waine then came together again to give a performance of Mozart's elegant Sonata No. 6 in G for Piano and Violin (K 301). Mozart wrote 35 sonatas for piano and violin, and this one is in two movements, allegro con spirito and allegro.

The two pianists then joined forces to give two of Brahms's (18331897) Hungarian Dances (one of which was not on the programme). Although the sheet music was fluttering in the draught and there were one or two uncomfortable looks from the pianists, the duets were enjoyed very much.

Mr. Walker, accompanied by Mr. Waine, then gave two violin .solos. The first was by Gabriel Faure, Apres un reve. Faure (18451924) wrote this purely as a lyric in later life, and it is described as one of the most remarkable of his later lyrics.

The second violin solo, and the last item, was by Carl Bohm (1844-1920), Moto perpetuo from 3rd Suite. This music is written with a touch of musical humour which was brought out very well by Mr. Walker. After one encore, the concert ended and the meeting was brought to a close.

M.A.B.

ORGAN RECITAL

On Saturday, 24th November, at 6-30 p.m., Mr. Wicks gave an organ recital in Chapel. The programme was designed to illustrate the principal periods and schools of organ music, from Purcell to modern French and English composers. It consisted of the following :- Trumpet Sonata—Purcell. Les Cherubins—Couperin. Chorale Prelude, "Sleepers wake !"—Bach. Sonata, the 94th Psalm—Reubhe. Impromptu—Vienne. Rhapsody—Statham. Carillon—Murrill.

The Purcell Trumpet Sonata was agreeably artificial, the trumpet stop standing out very well. The Couperin displayed a quiet and dainty little melody. The tune of Bach's Chorale Prelude was well known to most of the audience, and Mr. Wicks treated it vigorously. The beginning of the modern style of organ music was represented by the Reubhe Sonata. This was the main work of the evening, and the variety of expression Mr. Wicks obtained from such a small organ was remarkable. The next was a very quaint piece, being an example of the Modern French Style. The Rhapsody by Statham consisted of a strident section followed by a very beautiful movement and again reverting to the first theme.

This and the last work were examples of Modern British Style. Herbert Murrill, who wrote the Carillon, which is a jolly little piece, is Director of Music of the B.B.C.

This brilliant recital was well attended and all who went enjoyed it thoroughly.

J.N.T.H.