RANDOM AT LARGE

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32053, 30 July 1969, Page 22

RANDOM AT LARGE

DOWN BEATS

We have been in Britain five weeks now, and there’s never been a dull moment. The pace of the place is absolutely breathtaking—no sooner have some motor manufacturing workers returned to their jobs than the railway signalmen are out, and if they are persuaded to go back to their boxes, it’s time for the northern regional union of soap box nail adjustors to down tools. One has to admire the smooth rhythm of it all, which surely reflects credit on whoever it is responsible for drawing up the strike roster, giving everyone a turn, but natu-

rally placing due emphasis on tlie larger, more important bodies, the ones which can do the most to upset the national economy. At this time the Musicians’ Union has threatened to call a strike of all its 8.8. C. members if the corporation goes ahead with its plans to disband three orchestras under its reorganisation of broadcasting for the 19705. Such a strike might be effective we don’t know much about such matters. But surely a more effective way of registering protest would be the old familiar go-slow policy, combined with a work to

rule? The “March from Saul,” if we remember, takes its time getting places. What havoc they could cause, if they simply played the notes, and forgot all about the diiiiinuendos. The drum beat, as for a funeral march, the trombones sliding ever so slowly, the bows easing ever so gently over the strings, each man making his own pace. They could make the “1812” last a couple of hours, and it would all sound so ghastly. But perhaps they are that way inclined now, and that’s why they are being disbanded?.