CANTERBURY LAMB - UQ eSpace - University of Queensland
CANTERBURY LAMB - UQ eSpace - University of Queensland
CANTERBURY LAMB - UQ eSpace - University of Queensland
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Page Four SEMPER FLOREAT Friday, April 28, 1950<br />
first Subscription Concert<br />
The 1950 Subscription Series opened on Friday and Saturday<br />
nights, when John Farnsworth Hall conducted the <strong>Queensland</strong><br />
Symphony Orchestra. Both nights saw a fairly empty hall.<br />
However, later concerts may attract better audiences. The<br />
balance <strong>of</strong> the programme was decidedly in favour <strong>of</strong> the<br />
moderns.<br />
The general effect in the Leonora<br />
No. 3 was pleasing. It was followed<br />
by "Music for Strings," by the<br />
contemporary Englishman, Blias,<br />
Although the violins were rather<br />
weak at the beginning, the blend improved<br />
later on, with some especially<br />
beautiful viola playing, "What stood<br />
out above all else was the lovely<br />
string quartet section. The orchestra<br />
also made the most <strong>of</strong> the astonishing<br />
and climatic pedal point in the second<br />
movement. My programme tells me<br />
that the work is "neither a symphony<br />
nor a concerto grosso with solo<br />
ripieno, ' but concert without prefix<br />
or suffix." Am I alone in wondering<br />
just what all that means?<br />
William Herbert, Australian tenor,<br />
sang "Through Woods and Meadows"<br />
from "Der Frieschutz" <strong>of</strong> Weber, and<br />
"In Distant Land" from Wagner's<br />
"Lohengrin." He sang with good<br />
intonation and resonance, and a pleasing<br />
lack <strong>of</strong> affectation. It is indeed<br />
good news that this fine tenor is to<br />
sing in "Tannhauser," This sort <strong>of</strong><br />
thing could well happen more <strong>of</strong>ten.<br />
To get back to the point, in "Summer<br />
iSight on the River," by Delius,<br />
the orchestra captured the spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
the work, and the scene was not hard<br />
to imagine. Delius's music always<br />
reminds me <strong>of</strong> a Hilder painting, with<br />
its vague, mystic impressionism. The<br />
performance was marked by especially<br />
good work from the woodwind<br />
section.<br />
In the Sibelius Symphony No. 5,<br />
the orchestra deserves praise for a<br />
splendid performance <strong>of</strong> a long and<br />
difficult work. For my own part, I<br />
do not like the work—part <strong>of</strong> the first<br />
movement • sounds too much like a<br />
railway shunting yards. But in<br />
other parts there is a wealth <strong>of</strong><br />
emotion and interest, which was well<br />
brought out in this performance.<br />
The concert shows promise <strong>of</strong> a<br />
very interesting 1950 season. We<br />
hope, however, that later programmes<br />
will be more balanced,<br />
B, NATURAL,<br />
They Sought It With Thimhles<br />
Lewis Carroll has told lis all about the Snark, which<br />
mysterious creature is noted, among other things, for<br />
". . . its slowness in taking a jest;<br />
Should you happen to venture on one,<br />
It will sigh like a thing that is deeply distressed<br />
And it always looks grave at a pun,"<br />
Have you, perhaps some affinity<br />
with this unlovable character? Can<br />
you laugh at "Punch," or see the<br />
hilarious side <strong>of</strong> the pomposity and<br />
the deadly serious theories and conventions<br />
that entangle us? The procession<br />
should show up your capabilities,<br />
if you have any; but whether<br />
you are thus gifted or not, a course<br />
<strong>of</strong> G. K, .Chesterton will do you the<br />
world <strong>of</strong> good, and then you may<br />
perhaps see that everything isn't so<br />
straightforward, so staid and stuffy<br />
a.s it might at first suggest. Just<br />
listen to that wonderful mind defending<br />
nonsense:<br />
", , , it is significant that in the<br />
Book <strong>of</strong> Job the argument which<br />
convinces the infidel is not a picture<br />
<strong>of</strong> the ordered beneficence <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Creation; but, on the contrary, a<br />
picture <strong>of</strong> the huge and undecipherable<br />
unreason <strong>of</strong> it. This simple<br />
sense <strong>of</strong> wonder at the shapes <strong>of</strong><br />
things; and at their exuberant independence<br />
<strong>of</strong> our intellectual<br />
stan(iards and our trivial definitions,<br />
is the basis <strong>of</strong> spirituaUty as it is<br />
FOR ADVICE OR SERVICE ON<br />
LIFE ASSURANCE<br />
Consult<br />
KENNETH A. LEMON, B.A.<br />
<strong>of</strong> the<br />
A.M.P. SOCIETY<br />
Telephones: B 6408<br />
B 6409<br />
Box 1404B.<br />
G.P.O.<br />
the basis <strong>of</strong> nonsense. Nonsense and<br />
faith are the two supreme symbolic<br />
assertions <strong>of</strong> the truth that to draw<br />
out the soul <strong>of</strong> things with a<br />
syllogism is as impossible as to |<br />
draw out Leviathan with a hook.<br />
The well-meaning person who, by<br />
merely studying the logical side <strong>of</strong><br />
things, has decided that faith is<br />
'nonsense' does not know how truly<br />
he speaks; later it may come back to<br />
him in the form that nonsense is<br />
faith."<br />
The moral <strong>of</strong> the story is however,<br />
that you have a fine chance<br />
to sort out some <strong>of</strong> this "faithnonsense"<br />
for yourself at Tallebudgera<br />
in the first week <strong>of</strong> first<br />
vacation. There you'll find the<br />
S.C.M. presenting a series <strong>of</strong> first<br />
rate addresses, tutorials and studies<br />
dealing with this same "Life <strong>of</strong><br />
Faith" that you're starting to wonder<br />
about. Archdeacon W, A. Hardie,<br />
Rev. Lockley, and Rev, John<br />
Alexander <strong>of</strong> Warwick are among<br />
those who will guide your gropings—<br />
and don't think that there's anything<br />
cut-and-dried about the<br />
business; you may be sure that<br />
you'll find puzzles and doubts<br />
aplenty if you haven't done so already.<br />
The S.C.M, is not promising<br />
you a nicely measured and neatly<br />
wrapped philosophy to put' in your<br />
mental pocket and act charmwise<br />
to ward <strong>of</strong>f evil—who, indeed, can<br />
draw out Leviathan with a hook!<br />
And how Chesterton would laugh ot<br />
us if we could.<br />
But we invite you to embark on<br />
a search, like Carroll's Snarkhunters,<br />
who in their desire to find<br />
their quarry.<br />
", . . sought it with thimbles, they<br />
sought it with care;<br />
They pursued it with forks and hope;<br />
MATHS TUTORIALS<br />
'«ENSENGTON'' (ROOM 23, 1st FLOOR) 886 ANN ST.<br />
JUST PAST WIIABF ST.<br />
REMEMBER THE NUMBER<br />
B9470<br />
Keen Teens!<br />
Pictured here we see our <strong>University</strong> Choir, a band <strong>of</strong> gay young things<br />
whose one ambition is to be "seen" by the reporters <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong> our more<br />
scurrilous rivals—at least, that's what said rivals would have the longsuffering<br />
public bd'cve!<br />
—Block by touilcsj' "Couiier-Mail."<br />
Saturday night, 7.45, was the deadline, for it was then that<br />
the <strong>University</strong> Choir gave its annual broadcast from St. Andrew's<br />
Chiu-ch over 4QR, and those who tuned in heard them give a<br />
very creditable performance <strong>of</strong> several extracts from Bach's<br />
"Mass in B Minor," to the accompaniment <strong>of</strong> the church organ,<br />
and with Mr. Hugh Branden as conductor.,. The enthusiasm <strong>of</strong><br />
the choir has always been keen, and on Saturday all four parts<br />
were in good voice, despite the small number <strong>of</strong> tenors. Any<br />
budding Carusos will be welcomed with open arms.<br />
This year, 200 years since the death <strong>of</strong> Bach, the choir is<br />
also taking part in the combined Bach-Handel festival, and in<br />
July will have the honour <strong>of</strong> singing the Mass, assisted by several<br />
soloists from Sydney. Both choir and conductor are working<br />
hard for this day, and it is to be hoped that their efforts are<br />
crowned with, success.<br />
UNESCO SEMINAR<br />
The Associated Youth Committee<br />
<strong>of</strong> the National Fitness Convmittce<br />
has much pleasure in inviting<br />
members <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Queensland</strong> to the inaugural<br />
Unesco Youth Seminar at the<br />
Natfonal Fitness Camp. Tallebudgcra<br />
from the evening <strong>of</strong> Friday,<br />
9 th Jime to the afternoon <strong>of</strong><br />
Monday, 12th June, 1950.<br />
Perhaps you are h"kzy about<br />
Unesco! Well,—^here is the chance to<br />
become acquainted with the practical<br />
down-to-earth jobs that Unesco is<br />
doing in the fields <strong>of</strong> Education,<br />
Science and Culture throughout the<br />
They threatened its Ufe with a rail<br />
way share;<br />
They charmed it with smiles and<br />
soap,"<br />
Perhaps you won't need such a<br />
varied collection <strong>of</strong> desirable commodities<br />
for your journeyings—but<br />
"the shield <strong>of</strong> Faith, wherewith ye<br />
shall be able to quench all the fiery<br />
darts <strong>of</strong> the wicked" is we believe, the<br />
strong armour which helps us to<br />
survive the rigours <strong>of</strong> the way.<br />
Come and see what this IS' all<br />
about, criticise it ,by all means, bqt<br />
for goodness sake do SOMETHING<br />
positive one way <strong>of</strong> the other—you'll<br />
find every opportunity at Tallebudgera<br />
In First Vacation.<br />
World. If you have ideas on the<br />
subject here is your opportunity to<br />
contribute to group discussion in<br />
congenial surroundings.<br />
The , catering and camp arrangements<br />
are in the capable hands <strong>of</strong> the<br />
National . Fitness Council. This<br />
means that you can have the King's<br />
Birthday weekend by the sea for the<br />
small sum <strong>of</strong> one guinea. All students<br />
attending the Seminar must abide by<br />
Camp Rules and be present for all<br />
discussions.<br />
Discussion material and films will<br />
be supplied by the Commonwelath<br />
Office <strong>of</strong> Education.<br />
If you wish to be among' the htrong,<br />
give your name and a deposit <strong>of</strong> 3/to<br />
any <strong>of</strong> the following:—John<br />
O'Duffy (Med, V,) Local Sec-Treas.<br />
N.U.A.U.S. Louis Green St. Lucia.<br />
John Emraett (Med. II), Maurice<br />
Ewing (Supreme Court, Gtorge St.,<br />
Opposite Lennons).<br />
REMEMBER<br />
.,.,The dates: 9th-12th June King's<br />
Birthday Weekend.<br />
The Place: National Fitness Camp,<br />
Tallebudgera.<br />
The Cost: £1/1/0 for 3.days.<br />
The Reason: To discover "Unesco—<br />
Its aims and Objectives."<br />
The Result: That's up to you..<br />
Help to' implement N.U.A,U.S.<br />
policy <strong>of</strong> the fullest" co-operation<br />
with UJT.E.S.C. Varsity' students<br />
should be able to give a lead in all<br />
Youth activities. M. EWING<br />
Education Officer N.U.A.U.S.<br />
GODFREY HUBBARD B.A.<br />
(First Class Honours Maths)<br />
SPECIALISING SINCE 1936<br />
INTERVIEWS BETWEEN IIM AND 2 P.M. OR BY APPOINTMENT<br />
.\ '