VARIED PROGRAMMES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 117, 19 May 1937, Page 10

VARIED PROGRAMMES

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Now that there are no less than four stations transmitting at certain hours from Wellington it should always be possible during such hours for those who like good music to get it from one of the four, but this1 is frequently impossible! The Director of Broadcasting, speaking to teachers on Monday, expressed indignation against people who say that there is nothing worth listening to over the air. He has only himself and his officers to blame. They should exercise greater care to see that when three or four stations are on the air, one at least is broadcasting programmes of a higher quality. Then on Sunday mornings, before 11 a.m., we get mostly jazz from the two stations then working. - Surely one could give us something more appropriate, as was done on Good Friday.— I am, etc., GOOD MUSIC.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As one interested in radio and with a profound respect for Professor Shelley's attainments and ideals, I have read, I think, all, of his recent published utterances, including the one appearing in your paper, on Monday. The writer happens to be a lover of music, without having musical training; one of thousands, no doubt, who. still prefer Beethoven, Brahms, and Bach to any of our moderns, including, I regret, even the English moderns. The writer has also, chiefly through the agency of the radio, become unpleasantly conscious of any-

thing less than perfection in musical performance. This is typical probably of a very large number of listeners who have little musical knowledge but a very genuine appreciation of really good music in any of^ts various fields.

With four local stations, and also three other stations available on my machine at almost local station strength, I have been very rarely able in the last few weeks to obtain the type of programme which my. particular tastes call for. I am astounded at the professor's statement that nearly all the great musical works are put over the air several times in the course of a year; but on reflection this would no doubt include afternoon "classical hours," which most of us- are unable to hear. As an evening listener, I am frankly disappointed at the small regard then paid to the delight in great music- How long is it, for example, since a Wellington station has at night broadcast Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, or Brahms's Violin Conlcerto?

I make the following constructive suggestions, for I write not so much in complaint as in regret, i

Are efforts made to acquire other musical records than the two or three makes which appear to monopolise our service? American records are obtainable for gangster epics, and> Japanese houseboy humour; they are probably available for classical music renditions.

The local performer in his relation to classical music provides a very delicate subject; but in fear and trembling I suggest that, under present conditions only solos or, duets by the best artists should, be performed.' To hear bodies of amateurs strive through a great, work which we have heard played by world-famous combinations excites only regret at -this country's inevitable backwardness .in this re; spect. We may'hope that this backwardness will be overcome by the Government's" scheme for a coriservatorium and permanent staff of musicians. ' V ■ Two stations in Wellington cater frankly and successfully to our frequent tastes for the lively and the light. May we not hope that another could be devoted to recording of the great in music? . :■ • . > There are many who find no pleasure in good music. We all are entitled to our tastes. But my point is that, although we have a cultured Director of Broadcasting and four local stations, there has been in recent weeks, if not months, a noticeable decline in :the amount of good recorded music provided over the air at evening sessions. —I am, etc., - '~ ■. ■■/■ MUSIC LOVER.