Splendid Choral

Music

July 14 In Tahiti

Papeete, July 20 BASTILLE DAY—July 14—was cele brated here this year with more than the usual fervour. It was also a celebration of victory, and a tribute of honour paid to the great number of French servicemen who were lost.

The ceremony of the raising of the flag was attended by the Governor, the Mayor, the commanders of the Forces of Land, Sea and Air, the Consuls of Great Britain, United States, China, Belgium, etc., and a great gathering of citizens.

Twenty guns were fired in salute, and wreaths were deposited by the Governor and other officials on the War Monu ment.

The district of Mataiea won the first award in the principal event; the com petition of district choral choirs. Those of us who remember the splendour of the Tahitian chorals of other days, are heartened to know that the majestic polyphonic music has not passed to oblivion; but is in process of revival throughout the islands.

Someone has remarked that really great music is difficult to' understand until, after repeated hearings, one is able to comprehend the threads of many colours which blend to compose the tap estry. So it is with Polynesian choral music.

This writer has remained, on many occasions of native choral festivals, from sunset until dawn; and has wished the sun might delay its rising.

It would be a pity—in a world where people are trying to split the atom, in order that musical form, harmony and sanity may be blown to the outer nebu lae, that this treasure of real beauty should vanish from these islands.