Broadcasting Service and Imported Artists

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 255, 24 July 1936, Page 13

Broadcasting Service and Imported Artists

Sir,—l heartily endorse every word of “MAJ’s.” letter in regard to imported artists, and I know that many listeners feel the same. Now, if rumour is to be believed, we are likely to have an Australian director of New Zealand broadcasting Why? We listeners have no means o/knowing how the director ot broadcasting is to be selected, but this I do know, there are several men in New Zealand as well fitted for the position as any that mi-ht be imported. If an Australian were appointed to position of director ot broadcasting in New Zealand, then tne invasion of Australian artists wouldl be not by single units by battalions, "hat chance would our local artists have under an Australian director? Now is the time to protest—not after the a pPO l “ t “ < r“^ i ? announced, which would be too late. I am. etc., NEW gEALANDER. Wellington, July 23.

Sir. —Your correspondent seems to be quite in the dark regarding the engagement of what he slightingly terms "a young Australian pianist to tour New Zealand under the auspices of the Broadcasting Service. He miay, conseauentlv, be surprised to hear that Eileen Joyce, the artist referred to, is considered by leading judges in Europe and Australia as the greatest woman pianist in the world to-day. “M.A.J.” says that "listeners are perfectly familiar with her records. # ibe reply to that is, first, only a small portion of the Eileen Joyce gramophone recordings have been heard in New Zealand? and, second, these records, good as they are, convey a. most inadequate idea of her actual playing. The ? ral “°' nhone is by no means a reliable criterion of an artist’s calibre. It flatters some performers and minimises others.. . I heard Miss Joyce play in London last year,, and was so. deeply impressed v her astounding genius that I immediately set on foot a Press campaign which helped largely to bring about her present tour of Australia; and I was ilso the prime mover id securin o her forthcoming visit to this country. y object in doing this was, chiefly, }“A music lovers in New Zealand might be afforded an opportunity of hearing Eileen Joyce on the local concert platform. Imagine my astonishment and disgust therefore, to find that our radio authorities have made no arrangements whatever for Miss Joyce to appear in public, her itinerary provides merely tor a. six-weeks tour of the YA stations, and m this respect “M.A.J., tn common with thousands of other music lovers in the Dominion, has a legitimate and outstanding grievance. Eileen Joyce is being brought here at great expense, and the musical publie of this country has the right to demand that the foremost exponent of the piano since Madame Carreno be heard on the concert stage as well as over the 31 Australian Press reports reveal that Miss Joyce is having unprecedented success everywhere in the Commonwealth, the town halls in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide being filled to capacity by wildly enthusiastic audiences. Why is the New Zealand public, to be debarred from sharing in this universal acclaim. Miss Joyce arrives in Wellington, according to her official schedule on Tuesday, August 18. next. Her first radio performance does not take place uni 11 the following Saturday night, at Auckland Why this waste of four Precious days'? Surely a public concert could be arranged on the Wednesday or nights before the artist leaves for Auck--I!llAnother point: The visit of Eileen Joyce coincides with that of Dr. Mai colm Sargent the eminent English conductor. .What an opportunity thus presents itself for Miss Joyce to play a concerto with orchestra under Dr. Sargent s magic baton. If this event could be arranged it would mark a red-letter epoch in the musical annals of this country . Further. I must regretfully draw attenion to one more inexplicable error on the parr of the radio authorities. Incredible as it must seem, they have actually scheduled a broadcasting piano recital tour for Mr. Paul Vinogradoff practically simultaneously with that of Miss Joyce Right through New Zealand Mr. ' inogradoff will follow her footsteps. tb>inflicting another injustice upon New Zealand listener—to say nothing ot the rank discourtesy to both parties and the gross business ineptitude thus displays .. It is to be hoped devoutly that the agitation now aroused over these urgent radio matters will have a salutary and satisfactory outcome.-! am, e^- AUSTIN Wellington, July 23.