BROADCASTING AND MUSIC

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 95, 19 October 1931, Page 6

BROADCASTING AND MUSIC

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—With much that was said by Dr. Sutherland and Professor Robertson on the subject of broadcasting, when they waited upon the Postmaster-General, little fault can be found: but I noted one or two discrepancies and ambiguities in their respective statements, to which ■ I would like to call attention.

For instance, how does Professor Robertson reconcile his remark: "It (i.e., the radio company) had almost completely neglected to organise cultural matters. Its cultural standard seemed deplorably low," with his earlier comment to the effect that "musically, the present company had done very well"? The only possible inference we can draw here is that Professor Robertson regards the subject of music merely as a means of entertainment, and not— as one would naturally expect in a man of learning—as a "cultural matter." And even in his references to musical topics the professor is not consistent, for he proceeds to lament' that "when he sought lo listen, in to Mr. C'oatcsV speech on uuemployment he found the whole country linked up in a. community sing, the mental nee of those engaged in which seemed to him 1.0 be iibout ten or eleven."

I quitG iisi-pe with this last sally, but, iinioil'.inalcl.v for the professor, it does not

quite concur with his other statement that "musically, he present company had done very well." On the other hand, Dr. Sutherland apparently holds an opposite opinion concerning the company's musical dgings, for he is reported to have said: "Judging by the general standard of programmes offered by the company in New Zealand it is clear we cannot expect the best to be made of radio under the system of private control." Now, Sir, as about nine-tenths of all the wireless programmes in this country consist of musical items,' it is equally clear that Dr. Sutherland hardly substantiates his colleague's assertion. As a matter of cold fact, it is beyond contradiction that musically, the radio company has done very ill; during the last two years especially the evening programmes have steadily deteriorated until now they are seldom worth hearing. The ' company seemingly persists in under-estimating the intelligence of listeners, and in fostering the belief that music has no higher function than ear-tickling and dance-stimulation? There was a time when 2YA provided some most excellent chamber music, but the company, very weakly, yielded to the blatant clamour of a low-brow minority, with the result that of late really intelligent music has been'conspicuous by its absence.

It should be recognised that in the matter oL musical culture a preponderance of listeners possess the infantile mental ago mentioned by Professor Robertson; and since it would be preposterous to allow children at school to dictate what form of _ instruction should be, given them, co is it equally absurd for the untrained adult to^be allowed to stampede the radio authorities into catering for questionable .taste. Professor Robertson ought to be aware of the immense cultural and spiritual value of good musiii, and this ,is the point which he and Dr, Sutherland should have particularly stressed in their interview with the Hon. A. Hamilton) It will be nothing less than a national calamity if the present deplorable radio standard of music is allowed to continue.—l am, etc., . L. D. AUSTIN. (To the Editor.)

Sir,—Heading "Thoroughly Fed Up's" version of 2YA's broadcasting leads me to think there are others who share his opinion. I cannot understand his outburst at all, and feel, as a satisfied listener, duty bound to defend our local station, , because I honestly am unaware of any defacts in their transmission. We in our household are very enthusiastic listeners to 2YA. Distortion we have never .known, while 2YA's clarity is all that could be desired. .Of course, the selection of programmes could be improved, but I realise that we cannot all be satisfied on this point; for instance, I think some of the amateurish musical combinations could be well replaced by ordinary records, while some of the items on, the Wednesday's American programme are a tax on the ear. Having performed at 2YA ag a soloist, also with various musical organisations, I claim to be in a position to reply to "Thoroughly Fed' Up"; and, further, I have an eight-valve electric set which has been in use for two years, during which time we have never heard any distortion from 2YA. ;

In conclusion, I would suggest that there must be quite a number of defective radio instruments about, or perhaps there is something wrong with their installation. —I am, etc.,

( W.H.B.