LORD COBHAM ON ARTS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29301, 5 September 1960, Page 10

LORD COBHAM ON ARTS

“Personal Tastes Main Criterion”

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 4.

The “I don't know much about it, but I know what I like’’ school in arts, was defended by the Governor-General (Lord Cobham) when he presented trophies to the Wellington Competitions Society senior prize-winners on Saturday night

Lord Cobham said he always kept in mind Leopold Stowkoski’s words: "It is not necessary to understand music, it is only necessary that one enjoys it.” “I believe that in the last analysis this goes for most things," said Lord Cobham.

“The intelligentsia—an ugly word for an ugly thing—has always sneered at the people who say: 'I don’t know very much about music, or ballet, or painting, or whatever it is, but I know what I like.”

"I believe that what you like is the main criterion,” he said.

One of the saddest developments of the twentieth century world of arts was the ever-widen-ing gap between artists and the public. A century and a half ago, composers wrote in response to popular appeal, he said. New Zealand was a wonderfully musical country. “During the last three years my wife and I have been entertained by many many musical performances, not only by professional people, such as the National Orchestra, but amateur groups—choral societies and school choirs.” Many of the groups were amateur, but by no means amateurish. It was splendid to see so many people studying music and playing music in these days of the radio and the transistor set, he said.