MUSIC AS A MENTAL DIET

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1933, Page 21

MUSIC AS A MENTAL DIET

Music should bo a portion of the mental diet of every individual," said Percy Grainger, the Australian composer and pianist, after an American broadcast. He contends, that music is music, and when attempts are mado "to split melody into casts the result is as bad as class legislation." "Jazz, for example, may be very classical," said Mr. Grainger. "In fact, jazz may be more classical in structure than much so-called high-class music. "If jazz has prospered under theimpetns of broadcasting so has classical I music, because both have gained in the esteem of a large audience," he added. "There should be music for _ every class of people; simple and easily understood selections for beginners in this listening game; more dimcult music for well-initiated people, and still more complex selections or themes for the musical seniors. But music in classes? No! Music is all ono. The only way to adequately compare one composition with another is by comparing the seriousness and ability of composers." . The pianist decried the scorning efforts of civilisation to "standardise every tiling, especially musical art." "Art is the esact opposite of .the general trend. In an age when people arc self-indulgent art is esthetic; in an. ago'when-.-people are esthetic art has to be rich, pleasurerseeking, and so oh. Art is all; a matter -of the mdi

virtual's expression. That is whero| radio is now doing, good. It is helping to prompt self-expression in music byj aiding in the creation of orchestras' throughout the country amongst school "children. And from the children of the country will spring the music of tomor- j row; it will all bo serious music, whether jazz or otherwise." . i