MODERN MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 183, 4 August 1936, Page 6

MODERN MUSIC.

Your correspondent "Pan" certainly writes an amusing letter, anil some of liis assertions may be correct, but when he says that "modern music and modern youth seem to be very akin, no high aims, no soul, no beautj'," I conclude that lie belongs to that certain school of "music lovers" that is irreconcilable towards dance music, and will admit no good in it whatsoever. The same school has never seen any good in any kind of popular music, and that of the present day is surely no worse than that of the Victorian era. "Pan" would like to know if there will be any real musicians in the next generation. Why, most certainly, because these great musicians of to-dav are keeping an open mind and come to their conclusions only after hearing the best forms of modern music, the best forms, mind you, and not the "deafening conglomeration" one sometimes hears in the talkies. I venture to suggest that the reactionaries (and I would place "Pan" in this category) have not kept an open mind in giving the same consideration to the subject, but have formed their opinions at the birth of jazz, and have never been able to forget how repulsive was the embryo. Modern music is certainly an intriguing subject. Continually changing and always evolving, there is about it an inventiveness, vouthfulness and freshness which promise a wonderful fulfilment in the future. May I suggest to "Pail" that he would do well to form his opinions after hearing the best forms of modern music? 1930.