REVIVAL OF MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 182, 30 April 1936, Page 5

REVIVAL OF MUSIC

Some of the Credit Given To Radio PROGRESS IN ENGLAND After fighting through the years of the economic depression, music in all its departments is now finding a new and increasing popularity, according to Mr. Ralph Hawkes, of the firm of Boosey and Hawkes, England, musical instrument manufacturers, who is at present visiting New Zealand. Speaking at a complimentary dinner last night, Mr. Hawkes instanced the radio as one of the means of causing this revival. "The radio is probably responsible for a great deal of the musical development of to-day,” he said. "With one hand it has destroyed something, and with the other it has built up something which will be much greater in music. Composers whose names were once mere ciphers are now known because of their music. “This musical education among the people is going to have a vast effect in the future. Music is now going to touch everyone who has a radio. The musical public will be the world, rather than one section .which happens to evince a personal interest in playing.” Mr. Hawkes said that the 8.8. C. had decided that the programmes should be designed to assist and entertain the public, and at the same time that agenerous attitude should be adopted toward composers of music. That was all-important. If one did not adopt a generous attitude toward composers, one was killing the goose that laid the golden egg. It was up.to the authorities to encourage local talent. He wanted to see composers. coming from New Zealand, and he wanted to see them earning performing fees. Great progress had been made with the movement fostering music in the schools in England, went, on Mr. Hawkes. Festivals of music with school children as performers had been organised in the Queen’s Hall, London. There were more than 70 entrants at the festival held this year, and in the first year it was introduced in Manchester there were 28 entrants. It was (i great stimulant for the children to be playing from the places occupied by first-class musicians. He did not know whether such a project was possible in New Zealand, but if it could be organised it would do much to encourage music among the youngsters. Mr. Hawkes said the brass band world seemed to have turned the corner in England. Bands were coming back to life after seven or eight years of bad times. The entries for the contests were as strong as, if not stronger than, formerly, and the standard of music was higher. A great deal of the brass band music was simple, however, and did not form a good programme of music over the air. The 8.8. C. had instituted a five-year plan for brass bands, realising that in certain districts it was the. music of the’ masses. Dates were given to brass bands which had never before been on the air, but there was the condition that the bands should play only firstclass music.

Dance bands had also found better times, and had reached a high standard. Several American hands, all of them great artists in their own sphere, had visited England, and as a result a great many players in England had had to “pflli up their socks.” That had done a great deal of good, for it had raised the standard of playing. If the New Zealand Broadcasting Board were to make arrangements for some first-class dance orchestra to visit the Dominion it would greatly assist local orchestras.

Mr. Hawkes iwas welcomed to New Zealand by Mr. C. A. Rendle, who presided. Among the guests were representatives from brass bands, orchestras and musical firms.