Magic Gum Tree Explained

The Magic Gum Tree^[1] is a musical comedy written in 1932. The score and lyrics are the singular work of Adelaide pianist^[2] and composer Arline Sauer in 1932. Sauer, born Arline Estelle Lower, married her longtime mentor, the well known Sydney^[3] conductor, arranger and composer Charles Sauer in May 1924,^[4] had twin sons 1925,^[5] divorced 1947.

The piece is a work of Australiana featuring Australian animals and characters. Queensland reviewers felt it reminiscent of A. A. Milne,^[6] with pleasantly conceived music for solo and parts.

Synopsis

The plot involves an immigrant girl lost in the Australian outback. The girl falls asleep and meets a cast of dreamland characters. She is rescued by a group of ten Australian Aboriginal boys and returned safely home.

Musical numbers

• Overture
• Ten Little Aboriginals
• Gumnut Pixies (dance)
• Dear Little Wattle Blossom
• Ko-a-la
• Hail! Thou Fair Land (duet)
• Ten Little Aboriginals (Finale)

The complete original published words and music (piano, voices) and dialogue may be viewed here

Performances

• 1934 Railway Institute, Sydney^{[7] [8]}
• 1935 Melbourne^[9]
• 1935 Clermont, New South Wales^[10]
• 1935 Newcastle, New South Wales^[11]
• 1935 Lismore, New South Wales^[12]
• 1935 Parkside, South Australia^[13]
• 1936 Wayville, South Australia (selections)^[14]
• 1937 Trangie, New South Wales^[15]
• 1937 St George, Queensland^[16]
• 1937 Coffs Harbour^[17]
• 1937 Armidale, New South Wales^[18]
• 1938 Bundarra, New South Wales^[19]
• 1938 Maitland, New South Wales^[20]
• 1939 Hobart, Tasmania^[21]
• 1939 Canberra, ACT^[22]
• 1940 Wellington, New South Wales^[23]
• 1940 Carnarvon, Western Australia^[24]
• 1941 Cairns, Queensland^[25]
• 1941 Mount Barker, South Australia^[26]
• 1941 Newcastle, New South Wales^[27]
• 1942 Manilla, New South Wales^[28]
• 1942 Mudgee, New South Wales^[29]
• 1942 Rockhampton, New South Wales^[30]
• 1946 Burnie, Tasmania^[31]
• 1947 Forbes, New South Wales^[32]
• 1950 Pinnaroo, South Australia^[33]

References

1. Web site: Trove.
2. News: Musical Notes. . . XLIX . 14,600 . South Australia . 27 April 1912 . 6 June 2018 . 3 . National Library of Australia.
3. News: Prof. C. Sauer . . 25,679 . New South Wales, Australia . 24 April 1920 . 6 June 2018 . 14 . National Library of Australia.
4. News: In Divorce . . 34,004 . New South Wales, Australia . 17 December 1946 . 5 June 2018 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
5. News: Family Notices . . 27,261 . New South Wales, Australia . 20 May 1925 . 6 June 2018 . 12 . National Library of Australia.
6. News: Music and the Drama . . 268 . Queensland, Australia . 7 July 1934 . 20 October 2017 . 20 . National Library of Australia.
7. Web site: "The Magic Gum Tree." . Sydney Morning Herald . 27 August 1934 .
8. Web site: Sydney's Big Music Festival Launched . Sun . 26 August 1934 .
9. Web site: St. Dominic's School, East Camberwell . Advocate . 3 January 1935 .
10. Web site: Clermont . Central Queensland Herald . 12 December 1935 .
11. Web site: "The Magic Gum Tree" . Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate . 21 August 1935 .
12. Web site: Old Bonalbo School Concert . Northern Star . 30 August 1935 .
13. Web site: Convent of Mercy, Parkside . Southern Cross . 20 December 1935 .
14. Web site: Thousand Voices Concerts . Advertiser . 23 September 1936 .
15. Web site: Trangie Convent Concert . Narromine News and Trangie Advocate . 2 December 1937 .
16. Web site: Heralds of the King . Balonne Beacon . 23 September 1937 .
17. Web site: School Concert . Coffs Harbour Advocate . 7 December 1937 .
18. Web site: Armidale 51 Years Ago . Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser . 3 February 1939 .
19. Web site: Convent School Concert at Bundarra . Uralla Times . 15 December 1938 .
20. Web site: Musical Play . Maitland Daily Mercury . 2 July 1938 .
21. Web site: Glenorchy School Concert . Mercury . 14 December 1939 .
22. Web site: The Social Round in Canberra . Canberra Times . 13 December 1939 .
23. Web site: The Magic Gum Tree . Wellington Times . August 1940 .
24. Web site: Convent Concert . Northern Times . 28 November 1940 .
25. Web site: Japoon Notes . Cairns Post . 6 December 1941 .
26. Web site: St Scholastica's College . Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser . 18 December 1941 .
27. Web site: Islington School Concert . Newcastle Sun . 2 May 1941 .
28. Web site: Convent Concert . Manilla Express . 27 November 1942 .
29. Web site: Talented Tiny Tots . Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative . 24 August 1942 .
30. Web site: Rockhampton Diocese . Catholic Press . 22 January 1942 .
31. Web site: Advertising . Advocate . 8 November 1946 .
32. Web site: Convent Concert . Forbes Advocate . 26 September 1947 .
33. Web site: Schoclconcert . Pinnaroo and Border Times . 21 December 1950 .