Music 1979/80

Abstract

The 1979/80 musical season followed closely the pattern established in previous years. There were many events, most of them interesting, some even exciting. Attendance at concerts fluctuated according to the time of the year and to the musical or social interest aroused by the particular concerts - a feature which can be partly attributed to the poor planning of the musical calendar and partly to the still unsophisticated tastes of local audiences. The Manoel Theatre Management Committee continued untiring in its efforts to present concerts by foreign artists besides presenting its own orchestra and choir in monthly concerts, with programmes including major works like Mahler symphonies alongside works - not always of the same musical value - by Maltese composers. In inviting foreign artists the M.T.M.C. was on a number of occasions aided by foreign embassies in Malta. It seems, however, as if the heyday of such sponsorships is over as these are becoming less frequent. [excerpt]