BROADCASTING CLASSICAL MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1928, Page 8

BROADCASTING CLASSICAL MUSIC.

In his attempt to strike *a harmonious chord"' in defence against the alleged attacks made upon classical music by "So Blue," your correspondent, "P.B."—like "Adagio"—has evidently quite forgotten the key in which "So Blue's" first composition on this theme ivas set, with the result that he has struck a discord of a distinctly jazzy nature. Both "Adagio" and "P. 8." apparently use only one eye in reading or they would have seen dearly that "So Blue" in his first letter was protesting against a surfeit of classical music being broadcast from station IYA and not again?* classical music itself, which, judging by his letters, I am sure he appreciates as much as "Adagio," "P. 8." and Co. As to "So Blue's" reference to classical music as being "a necessary evil," anyone with the least sense of humour would pass that off with a smile, bat not so "Adagio," "P. 8." and Co. How childish it is to suggest that we favour that music which, according to "P. 8.," enlivens the baser instincts in man! Does all classical musk tend to subdue man's baser instincts, I wonder ? Well, now, when we look back into the lives of the great composers, musicians, singers and dancers and all other artists who depend on music for their inspiration, one begins to wonder if the subtle influence of classical music has, after all, made man any the happier. "P. 8." suggests further that we call on the gramophone dealers to seek information regarding the sale of classical musk records in comparison with those of the more popular kind, to get the rude shock awaiting us. It would be no rude shock for me, for I have had some experience in that.line and know well that the sale of popular, music, apart from "the debasing kind," tops the list every time. Operatic records have increased in sale wonderfully of late years, but all operatic music is surely not classical any more than all classical music is unpopular—vhitl it certainly is not. LOUD SPEAKER