OUR GRAMOPHONES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 15, 18 January 1930, Page 8

OUR GRAMOPHONES.

It has been said that our many ways of obtaining mechanical music are improving public taste in melody. There are now made many mechanically beautiful instruments for reproduction by Edison's original method and improvements thereon. I heard the first phonograph that was exhibited in London, and I have heard the latest electric-wireless machine. Midway between these two there are machines better than .either for softness, accuracy and clarity of tone, but the records offered for sale are those which find the majority of purchases, which "sell the best." These are • sold at a reasonable price of four or five shillings for two "pieces" or songs, or dances, but they are not music; they are mostly mere noise, rhythmical or "syncopated" perhaps, but noise. Should there be any demand for works by good composers or "classical" music the price jumps to twelve shillings and sixpence, and away up to a pound or so. As the life of a record is not long—take what care you will —there is little sense in buying these on "terms," for the records may be ended before the last payment is made. There is no more time, skill or material used in making a record of good music than in making a horrid "jazz foxtrot" with twangy vocal accompaniment, and to make the latter cheap and the former - expensive, and beyond the means of most wage earners, is not to go far in improving musical taste. There is much lovely easily understood music (as played at times by our Municipal Band) which pleases the mixed crowd in Albert Park, or at our Zoo, which proves that there exists a liking for music as distinct from noise. There is little doubt that records of 'cello, band, violin, viola and pianoforte music would sell as readily as the sense-destroying jazz if put forward at the same price. It is not necessary that classical music should be interpreted by celebrated or famous players whose charges may be carried on the records, but there are hundreds of talented musicians who can find and express the "soul" of the composer who put it into sound and give it life and meaning. AMATEUR.