2YA'S PROGRAMMES

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 100, 2 May 1929, Page 23

2YA'S PROGRAMMES

A SERIOUS CRITICISM

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—With your permission nv.iy 1. through your columns, present my views on the standard of programmes and the cliiciency of performers submitted by 2YA? My object is to point out certain deficiencies and how they may be remedied, and to suggest improvements. _2\A should be the mode! station of Xew Zealand, and the one from which all other stations should take guidance. At the present time there is a great deal programmes, and great disappointment that no improvements are noticeable as time goes on.

The writer, who has had 12 years' experience in the •'show" business, has an intimate knowledge of the roquirtnients of the genera! public in (he matter of entertainment, and states that 2YA is not isfaction. *Tlio pict'ii-es^nd pramophijiies have educated the public to a degree which so far in this country wireless has not approached. Most of- 2Y.A performers are very amateurish, and there arc times when listeners turn off their wireless in disgust.

What is wrong with 2YA? firstly, most items, musical and elocutionary, are presented without proper and adequate rehearsal. Tiike the orchestra as an instance. There is decided tnlent among the members, several of whom are above the ordinary as soloists. What, however, dn wo find There lias been a gradual shickeniiist ot interest and a general rag(redness in the work of the orchestra, and items come through as it the members are too languid to give ;,s their best. When the orchestra first came into bein^ it was an instantaneous success, but of late it has failed to entertain. 1 put this down to inadequate rehearsals and ;i want of control by the musical director. The remedy is to constantly change the players until the orchestra is composed of workers, by a change of musical director and an absolute insistence on adequate rehearsals. However good players may be, no item sholild ever be presented until it is perfect in all details. In the main this is the job of the musical director, and lie must be a live wire who takes as his cue the responsibility he owes to his employers, to the public, and to his orchestra. While in England a short time iigo 1 had the pleasure of watching a musical director of one of the largest stations at work and it was a treat to see hi in lake his coat off and turn up his sleeves. His orchestra responded to his enthusiasm with the result—a musical treat.

I suggest at this stupe listeners would welcome move concerted items. There should be no difficulty in these beinjr presented by members of the orchestra. Whut is more phasing tlian violin, 'cello, mid piano, or violoncello, harp, and (lute? The present accompanist of .2YA in probably more used to pianoforte solos than playing accompaniments. ]t is the duly i.f an accompanist to help the singer and outer into the spirit of the song. More, much more, is required Uinn mere playing of notes. There must be perfect understanding between singer and pianist, and what is more, items should never be presented without adequate rehearsal. Let me now dwell upon the vocal portion of the broadcasting propiamme. Nightly I have listened to performers who are unlit to appear. Who is responsible for the selecting of these performers? { have heard more songs murdered on 2YA than anywhere else in the world. Singers whose enunciation is so bail that hardly one word is distinguish able and whose ears are so untrue that they cannot distinguish when they are in or out of,tune, but whose main defect is that they attempt songs entirely beyond their reach, and lastly, the old complaint inadequate rehearsals with the accompan ist. The vocal items of 2YA are undeniably the worst in New Zealand. Sureh the listener is entitled to the best Wei lington can produce, and 1 unhesitatingly say the authorities must depart fron. their parsimonious methods and employ the best artists and pay them a fee coimneli surnte with their ability. A great improvement could also be made in the selection of quartet singers These item** are most enjoyable if the selections are good, and if the voices blend, and again if the items are adequately rehearsed Vocal duets, trios, and mixed quartets would be greatly appreciated. The artists, however, must be above the ordinary and true pitch is essential.

More care is necessary in the: question of sclcctmu' gramophone records There is too much repetition, and sonic of the occurs that the same records are used liotli in the afternoon and evening. As.far as t.he elocutionary and church items arc concerned the least said about thorn the better. The clu.r.-l, from the musical point of view has failed to realise the importance of wireless. To listen to some of the choirs is to spoil the enjoyment of the church service. Choirs sliouid not be broadcasted until the choirs .are properly tested out. Is there anything worse m the wide world than a jumble of voices all singing as they please, and sopranos and tenors as flat as pancakes? And yet week after week there seems to be no attempt at improvment. 2^ A t£O adcastin& however, is not wholly bad There are many very pleasing and well-prepared items, and I cannot let the occasion go past without referring to the concert broadcasted from His Majesty's Iheatre Sunday evening, the 21st inst. Inere wo listened to four very fine singers and a fine nccompnnist. All the vocal items were well chosen, and suited the singers, and that is just what the listener wants. The enunciation of the singers n ra excellent, and the "Tout Ensembio most pleasing. The band items were only fair, but probably the band is only recently formed.

As the Broadcasting Company makes a charge for listening-in they must not object to open criticism. My idea is to point out troubles which can be remedied and helpful criticism will do no harm ihis letter is not levelled at individuals' but at the system 'of control. Some change is absolutely required to place 2YA on the map. The company is badly advised, and I would strongly urge the employment of only the best talent and to pay fees to tempt only the best I know personally many leading artists who will not perform under present conditions. I would advocate interchange of artists irom one centre to another as they do in other parts oi the world, or it may he better to engage special artists to travel from one centre to the other giving concerts. This would tend to increased interest in wireless. Wireless will never come into its own unless the programmes improve. I hear complaints all voiiud as to the want of attention to small details ISO person or persons should be allowed to pertorm unless they are passed as pertect by some responsible person whose duty it should be to select performers, and who can be held responsible for proper presentation of items. If the responsibility ot selection at present rests on any single individual's shoulders then all I can say is that the general run of programmes submitted lately is most disappointing In conclusion, let me add there are" many aspects 1 have left untouched. 1 leave them to others more capable than I am to deal with them. I have only been in Wellington a short time, and have no axo to grind, and do not. know any of the olficials connected with 2YA. Trusting this open criticism will lead to improved conditions for listeners-in,—l am. etc., CRYSTAL.