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

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house under the guidance of Denis Glover and Leo Bensemann-. It is the
Caxton Press that can be credited with the first significant publication 8
of Lilburn's music. His Four Preludes for Piano (1942-4) was published
in 1945 by Caxton with the artwork by Bensemann.
The publication was
reported enthusiastically by D.F.T. in the New Zealand Listener:
"There came through the post the other day one
slim folio. In black lettering on an impeccable
grey cover I read "Four Preludes for Piano -
Douglas Lilburn"; inside was the name of the
Caxton Press, the year 1945, and no word more.
The rarity of the occasion brought with it an
embarrassment as heavy as a whole truckload of
books, because I have listened to Mr Lilburn's
music when occasional chances have come through
broadcasts and recitals, have grown fond of it
and hoped that some might be published; because
I have admired the work of the Caxton Press and
am delighted to see that they make as good a
job of their first printing of music as they
have done with volumes of prose and verse;
and because here is music that has been made
only a few hundred miles away instead of at
the other side of the world. Yet the publishers
have refrained from drawing attention to these
aspects of the matter, and for the reviewer
to be showing less composure than the publishers
seems to put the whole thing on an improper
footing right at the outset".9
Inevitably, the close association that formed between Lilburn and
the group of Christchurch artists manifested itself in Lilburn's
compositions.
In a minor, but not unimportant, way it resulted in the
writing of various 'Christmas present' compositions, for example, his
Twenty-five Waltzes and an Epilogue for L.B. IO and his Two Christmas
Pieces for L.B. published "in Occasional Pieces for Piano (1975).
In a more significant and tangible way, it resulted in a direct
collaboration with various New Zealand poets on many occasions and an
almost exclusive use in Lilburn's output of indigenous texts. The
beginnings of this collaboration can-be found in Prodigal Country (with
Robin Hyde's Journey from New Zealand and Allen Curnow's New Zealand City).
8 Earlier publications included Two Piano Pieces: Prelude and Jubilate
(c.1942) published in Music Ho and Prelude No.1 of the Four Preludes
for Piano published in the Lady Newall Gift Book (Caxton Press 1944).
9 D.F.T. New Music Douglas Lilburn "Four Preludes for Piano". New
Zealand Listener vol.13 no.318, 27 July 1945:13.
10 L.B. - Leo Bensemann.