MUSIC TO-DAY

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 37, 12 August 1930, Page 15

MUSIC TO-DAY

ART OF SELECTION

AMIDST OTHER SOUNDS

SIR HUGH ALLEN'S . '• VIEWS

Music, which should, be the most appealing amongst tho arts that give beauty to life, had been subject to commercially advantageous degradations in tho course of its chequered career through tho eeuturies, and at the present day was suffering dangerous perversions in this respect, said Sir Hugh Allen at the reception accorded to him by Wellington musicians last night. Those in the musicakprofession had a great responsibility in using their influence to direct the choice of young minds towards selecting the best offering in music. It needed all Mnds to make a world, but care was necessary to create taste. A FACTOR IN LIFE. "As one interested in and partly responsible for some of tho musical education at Home," said Sir Hugh, "I am glad tohave been given this opportunity of meeting so many of you hero in Wellington, who as music teachers are committed by and large to tho same important service. To discuss matters in which-we arc mutually interested is always attractive. Since nrasia lias during the last few years become almost universally get-at-able whevc formerly it was difficult to come by, it lays upon us who live for it, with it, and by it a responsibility great in proportion, and also the necessity of revising our estimate as to its valuo> effectiveness, and efficiency, audits position us a factor in life and education. A POLYGLOT SURPLUS. ; "0£ all these things we would most desire for music it is 1 surely that it should always be the most satisfying, ' the most widely appreciated, and powerful in its apepal among the arts that give beauty to life and happiness to those who know how properly to use it. It has now and again suffered debasement and setbacks. as:great as any that have fallen, to the lot of saints and martyrs. But it has often triumphed in spite of all "To-day it. has found its way into every home in every part of the globe," tontinued Sir Hugh. "There is no place so far off that it is not within the reach of music radiated by the marvellous agency of modern discoveries. And so whereas formerly music was hard to come by—for it had always to bo made where it was to be heard, and it depended upon tho active suppoi'; of music lovers, and an active waking of music by all who could and would make it-to-day things have changed extraordinarily, and the pendulum has swung over to the other side. Wo are in danger npw of having too much of it, so varied in substance and puality thatwe Sjfc>y easily become insensitive to it. CHOICE TOO LARGE UNAIDED. "In tho Gargantuan feast spread on the air 3 we may find it difficult to make our choice and to discriminate between what is "good and poor in quality, worthy or unworthy, beautiful or debased. What good use should be made of this ; -nerous profusion, and the opportunities it offers us is the special solicitude of all of us in the room, and one must admit that it is in part a responsibility placed upon us as a profession. There is always danger in tho enfranchisement of people who do not know how to raa^o use of their freedom; To-day, the world has become enfranchised in music, and it is very important that wo should know how to us« this freedom safely and to the best advantage. It is for this vory reason that there is a nped of good -teachers and good teaching. How else can we train the young mind to discriminate between the thousand and one things to be heard at all hours of tho day and night unless our ears and' theirs are trained, and their hearts tuned to the right perception and proper reception? • - MUSIC AND NOISE. "Music is attractive in so -many ways, has so many facets, and has so many delightful and insidious qualities that it makes its appeal in varying ways and degrees. Almost evoryono who is brought into touch with it responds in some way or other, but it is only those who-have tho instinct for or training in it to whom is revealed its real beauty and satisfaction; many aro called but few are chosen. It should bo our desire, as it is certainly our . job in life, to see to it that more and more are found among the chosen and that all shall receive the call. The gift' of hearing is a great possession, but the development of the power of listening . adds enormonsly to "its value. Hearing helps us In all kinds of waya, especially in these days to avoid sudden danger.' But tho ear gets used to repeated sounds and shocks, as the eye to sights, and hence comes tho necessity of invonting new and startling motor horns in order that the unfortunate pedestrian may hop with "what nimbleness ho can from under a passing juggernaut. HOW TO LISTEN. "We have to be startled into taking notice, and those people who hear music merely as an indefinite sensation, which acts as a stimulant to conversation, reading, sewing, knitting, oating, and even sleoping, aro by way of losing the delight which the power of listening can give them. We must bo guided' as children by those who have made it their life's work to reveal these things, and we must learn to listen, not as an imposed labour, but as to tho conversation of an intimate friend., This attitude is tho moro important to-day seeing that in addition to tho music we make ourselves wo can draw it from tho air, as by magic, or prick it into life with tho needlo of a gramophone. It needs all kinds to make a world, and it needs alleare to create the right kind of good taste."