The beginnings and development of a New Zealand music: The life ...

Zealand music.
The reviewers were also in agreement that the work
/
embodied a new direction for Lilburn's style, and that it was not easy
to appreciate the new techniques explored in one listening. Owen Jensen
in writing of the premiere performance in The Evening Post noted:
"This music demands concentration and needs more
exploration than one listening can offer. It is
music that may never be popular-but, even at
first listening, it is obvious that it has much
to say and that it represents a new and even more
mature Lilburn •
•••• It is, in fact, an important work and may
very well prove to be a landmark in New Zealand
music."B
Russell Bond in writing for The Dominion found that:
" ••• though Douglas Lilburn has produced two
-other symphonies, this one was quite unlike
any other music of his.
At this one hearing I could detect amost none of
the fingerprints that normally reveal the
authorship of Lilburn's works. This seemed
something new in method and mood, something
that in its clarity, its directness, its
tautness and superbly concentrated aim was
particularly exciting."9
Roger Savage in the New Zealand Listener found that the symphony:
" ••• is a work of real maturity, assured and
arresting. At first hearing, the symphony
presents itself as formidable, a disturbing
assault on the nerves, for all that it only
lasts about a quarter of an hour. Though
a short work, quite unpadded, it seems a
long one; not because it is ever dull, but
because keeping up with the arguments of
such an intelligence in such an ungenial
mood is something of a strain. A short work -
but the most distinguished New Zealand music
I have yet heard."IO
Further recognition for the work came from an unexpected quarter.
The Arts Advisory Counciltl voted a £250 award of achievement to Douglas
8 Owen Jensen, Superb concert that stunned. The Evening Post
t August 1962.
9 Russell Bond.
-
Symphony comes to life. The Dominion August 1962.
10 Roger Savage, Lilburn's third. New Zealand Listener vol.47
no.1196, 17 August 1962:7.
11 The Arts Advisory Council was a short-lived body organised under the
auspices of the Department of Internal Affairs, with the function of
recommending the allocation of grants in the arts to the Government.
Established in 1960, it replaced the old three-committee system of
advising on funding in the arts. In 1963 the Arts Advisory Council
was superceded by the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council of New
Zealand. For further details see Appendix A13.
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