Journal of the American Viola Society Volume19 Online, Summer ...

Presiding on that occasion was Mr Joynt
who had this to say about the very wet
evening:
It could not be said that the elements were
smiling on the enterprise, but it was quite
possible that at some future date someone
might remark - speaking of the opening of
the School of Music - that at its first
building, the rain descended, and the floods
came and beat upon that building, but they
failed to move it because it was founded
upon a rock. 8
After declaring the school open, a short
recital was given by Michael Balling, Miss
Dugdale and Mrs Houlker. The programme
included Balling playing his own Fantasia
for viola-alta, Miss Dugdale playing a piano
solo by Archer, a Moskowski piano duo
played by Herr Balling and Miss Dugdale,
and all three teachers performing the Cradle
Song of the Virgin by Brahms.
Balling's Influence on the Musical Life in
Nelson
Apart from the rapid development of the
educational activity, the years 1894 and 95
were filled with many concerts, in which
Michael Balling was conductor, soloist,
chamber musician or organiser. Most of the
concerts and lectures of Balling received
enthusiastic reports both in the newspapers
and anecdotally. One activity, for which he
is best remembered, is his series of lectures
on Wagner which, according to those who
remember it, "had the solemnity of a prayer
meeting". Such was the popularity of these
lectures that he was encouraged to form a
Wagner Society in 1895, on the anniversary
of the composer's death. This society had an
unexpectedly short life, surviving only one
meeting. According to one account:
One of those present who, not understanding
Balling's intensity of feeling for Wagner,
gently ridiculed it in his presence. Not
another meeting was held. 9
It is reported that Balling lectured and
performed to packed halls and that the
numbers rose to such an extent that they had
to transfer concerts to the theatre. Accounts
of his successes were being reported in
England.
By the end of 1895, Balling was
increasingly feeling the need to return to
Europe and resume his professional career,
presumably having recovered from his
breakdown. He had built the school up in a
remarkably short space of time to a roll of
68 by the end its first year - almost 1% of
the total population of 7,000 residents.
VOLUME 19 SUMMER 2003 ONLINE ISSUE
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Before reporting on Balling's activities back
in Europe, mention must be made of his
activities in New Zealand, beyond Nelson.
He toured with the English organist and
choirmaster Maughan Barnett and with
Alfred Hill, then a young composer. His
most remarkable venture though must surely
be his visit to the heavily-forested Urewera
mountain range, which must have involved
some fairly serious tramping. In the obituary
notice in the Bayreuther Festspielführer, Dr
Werner Kulz refers to this trip as "an
excursion into the jungle". In John
Thomson's article From Bayreuth to the
Ureweras he relates the following account:
The Ureweras were still a Maori stronghold
and particularly difficult for a European to
penetrate. He succeeded in charming his
way into the hearts of his Maori listeners
through the force of his personality, being
entertained as a royal visitor and showered
with valuable presents. Balling later spoke
highly of Maori music, especially of the
traditional waiata. He had witnessed funeral