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

46
awarded to Miss Dorothy I. Johnston of Dunedin and a third prize of £5
(again donated by the Radio Board) was awarded to Miss Alice Wilson, also
of Dunedin. In addition, four other competitors received special
• 36
d
commen at~on.
In his report, the judge (whose identity was not divulged but
who was described as "an eminent musical authorityll37) stated:
"I went first and foremost for quality of
ideas. Craftmanship had to be taken into
account, too, and generally these two
attributes (matter and manner of presentation)
went together •••• The winning entry easily
outshines its rivals on both points •••
I was delighted to notice the genuinely
indigenous, patriotic and even truly
democratic note in most of the works
submitted, especially in the best ·of them -
the more so as I know this is one of
Mr Grainger's paramount ideals."38
Commenting specifically on Forest the judge wrote:
" a lovable work. One example of the
many real gems of originality is the episode,
pp2 to 8, beginning with all solo instruments,
later merging into the 'tutti', striking and
portentous, full of the intimate whispers of
the forest; technically speaking, quite a
marvel of both counterpoint and orchestration.
The composer shows fine taste in his copious
use of 'church modes' - in their expressive
melodic qualities, their purity and austerity,
ideal for his purposes. He has the power of
sustaining a 'vast', sombre mood over many
minutes, by his dark colours and the rare
restraint of his quiet atmosphere. While this
conveys the sense of 'immemorial' suggested by
this subject, he nevertheless holds the attention
from bar to bar. Indeed, in his power to limn a
mood and the general certainty of his orchestral
touch, he is often reminiscent of Sibelius.
His contrapuntal effects, full of suggestiveness
and originality, achieve a peculiar mysterious
atmosphere at times; one might describe it as
an effect of 'static motion'. His modern touches,
one feels, are quite his own. A thoroughly
unified work, whose contrasts are well ordered
and whose climaxes are invariably broad and
36 ibid.
37 Unsourced clipping, photocopy with author.
38 A bush holiday inspired young prize-winner. New Zealand Radio Record
9 October 1936:12.