MATTERS MUSICAL, AND 2YA

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 134, 2 March 1929, Page 11

MATTERS MUSICAL, AND 2YA

Sir, —I have been very interested in reading the reports of the various musical organisations in this city. Mr. H. Temple White, conductor of the Wellington Harmonic Society, stresses a point that I heartily endorse, i.e., “fiat a conductor should lead those under his guidance to an appreciation of the beautiful in music—to look for beauty in musie, and to love it. It is only by seeking the beautiful in music aud transmitting it into artistic achievement, that we can rise to a high standard of endeavour.” The word “transmitting” suggests the thought, “What a wonderful power is in the hands of the broadcasting station, 2YA.” During the afternoons I have the privilege of using a friend’s set to listen to the programme given out by 2YA, W< ngton. On a recent Saturday evening I heal'd a splendid programme of music, and here I must particularly mention the musical selections played by the orchestra. The selection by SainSaens, the great French composer, was very ably given, and was much appreciated, I am sure, by the host of enthusiasts who listened-in on that occasion.

On looking over an old copy of the “Radio Record” of October 19. of last year, I see that a discussion in the “free and easy” style took place over the too liberal use of gramophone records during Saturday evenings and on the afternoons in the week. I am a great admirer of the gramophone as a means of educating the public in matters musical, and us a means to that end it fulfils that mission to a certain extent. This is a British country, and why we have so much American jazz music and “toshy” songs given to us is more than I can understand. When from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. we have a continuous run of this class of fare it is no wonder that people complain. At the conclusion of the discussion at the meetng mentioned above I notice that a motion was passed to the effect that the Radio Society approved of good gramophone music (barring trash). This motion was put be-, fare the meeting and adopted. Now, Sir, excluding the works of the great composers, such ns Saint-Saens, Beethoven, Mozart, Sch'uhcrt. Schumann and Wagner, and also excluding such famous foreign artists as Kreisler, Carreno, Caruso, Musin, Hermann, Kubelik, Mosiewitch and many, others —celebrities who have their art recorded on the gramphone, we have the British school of music. Headed

by Sir Edward Elgar, we have a splendid type of British composer. For artists we have Peter Dawson, John McCormack, Alfred O’Shea; Lemarc. Lemone, Percy Grainger and a host of others too numerous to mention in a short space. If certain people like the jazz and coon songs and Hawaiian melody, let them buy the records, choosing them to suit their taste. The majority of us. I am sure, like “music.” I should like to hear through radio the records of the ballads of England, Scotland and Wales. Ireland, too, has some beautiful songs and ballads. The prospects for the year in matters musical seem to be good, and with the help of 2YA with its broadcasting service the coming season should be a very favourable one. —I nm. etc.. “BRIAN HEWITT.” Wellington, February 28.