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

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Tragedy had struck the cOlIlIIlunity of Christchurch in March of 1944
52
with the early death of pianist Noel Newson at the age of 32. Plans
were made for a Noel Newson Memorial Concert, the proceeds of which were
to go to help establish a fund "lith the purpose of assisting music
students further their studies. The monetary goal was £1,000.
Civic Theatre.
The concert was scheduled for Wednesday 5 September 1945, 1n the
It was to include the first performance of Lilburn's
specially composed EleSl for soprano, contralto and strings, based on
poetry by Robert Herrick, Willi,3m Blake, George Herbert and William
Shakespeare.
What began as a fitting tribute and gesture to the late
Noel Newson ended as something of a 'storm in a teacup' scandal, with
Lilburn as the central character.
"SCORES TAKEN FRO::-l SINGERS BY CONDUCTOR"
"An incident at the Noel Newson memorial
concert in the Civic Theatre has caused
widespread comment in Christchurch musical
circles .-
During the first item, an elegy for
strings and voices composed by Mr Douglas
Lilburne [sic], of Christchurch, who was
conducting the 3YA Orchestra, the performance
was interrupted by Mr Lilburne taking a
joint vocal score away from the two soloists.
The composition was specially written for
the concert by Mr Lilburne. The solo parts
were taken by Miss Phyllis Mander, soprano,
and Miss Iris Moxley, contralto.
During the early part of the performance,
latecomers spoilt the music for a large crowd
already in the theatre and there was an air of
tension in the atmosphere.
In the concluding stages of the elegy
Misses Mander and Moxley were interrupted by
Mr Lilburne. The music resumed, and again the
singers were interrupted.
CONDUCTOR'S ACTION
For the third time the music was taken up.
Mr Lilburne on this occasion left the conductor's
stand, and walking across to the singers, took
their joint score, and left the stage. The
singers soon followed.
When Mr Lilburne returned to the stage a
minute or two later and tried to make himself heard,
his voice was lost in the noise.
Those in the front seats understood Mr Lilburne
to say that he wa.s sorry to have had to interrupt
the performance, but it had been insufficiently
rehearsed."53
52 Obituary. The Press 27 March 1944:6.
53 Scorl~s taken from singers by conductor. The Star-Sun 8 September
1945:8.