BROADCAST MUSIC

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 63, 7 December 1938, Page 15

BROADCAST MUSIC

Paganini’s “Moto Perpetuo”

By 21 Violins

Mr. Anderson Tyrer, the gifted English composer and pianist, now in Wellington, says that Arturo Toscanini, the most talented orchestral conductor in the world, and one of the foremost figures in music living, is now in charge of the National Broadcasting Service's orchestra in New York, where he has been given an orchestra selected from the best of the world, practically irrespective of cost. Naturally, America, from coast to coast, is getting the benefit of this wonderful organization, controlled by such a genius. To convey the quality of the players in the orchestra, Mr. Tyrer stated that only a few weeks ago Toscanini did something that startled the wffiole of the musical world. He directed the whole of "his first violins, some 21 in number, to rise from their seats, and play Paganini’s “Moto Perpetuo.” Only violinists who know the difficulties of this work can appreciate the magnitude of this feat, for Paganini did not compose for 'beginners. A genius of the violin himself, he wrote movements which, in his day, he alone was aJble to play. Yet here in New York city, 21 violinists played his “Moto Perpetuo” as one man, under the conductorship of Toscanini. Mr. Tyrer is of the opinion that the broadcasting authorities in New Zealand are not doing nearly as much for music as they should. Australia Is setting an example that this country might well follow, by introducing a succession of really worth-while artistsr—singers, instrumentalists, and conductors —who have already succeeded in raising the whole tone of music in the Commonwealth. He said he was quite convinced that something should be done to improve the programmes in this country on the lines of Australia. The interminable jazz band numbers, quite good in their line, were not exactly elevating in their approach to music, and did not help in the least in what should be the proper approach to a musical ideal in this country. To him it was a wonder that the public who paid did not demand a better ser-, vice.