BROADCASTING MUSIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19459, 15 October 1926, Page 10

BROADCASTING MUSIC.

THE MUNICIPAL CONCERTS* I Q _ . CITY ORGANIST OBJECTS. "CARICATURE OF REAL THING,'' A proposal that concerts given free of charge by the Municipal Band and on the Town Hall organ be broadcasted, brought forward at last evening's meeting of the City Council, is favoured by the bandmaster Mr. Christopher Smith, but opposed by the city organist, Mr. J. Maughan Barnett. The broadcasting of organ music in England was distinctly unsatisfactory, declared Mr. Maughan Burnett in a report to the Finance and Legal Committee, and was more or less a " caricature of ths real thing." Consequently it seemed to him the suggestion was of little artistic oi educational value as far as the organ recitals were concerned. That it would be good publicity and could only result to advantage in reaching thousands of people who had not heard the band, was Mr. Smith's view of the suggestion of broadcasting the band music. He made an additional suggestion that it might be good policy to broadcast one or two items from Saturday concerts.

The Finance and Legal Committee recommended that the broadcasting of one Sunday evening band recital be permitted as an experiment. Mr. F. W. Brinsden, who had originally suggested that the concerts be broadcasted, expressed regret at the attitude of the city organist. He moved as an amendment that both band and organ music be broadcasted. Mr. J. A. C. Allum and Mr. L. A. Eady said they appreciated Mr. Bafnett's point of view, but still thought that the broadcasting of c-rgan music would be widely appreciated. Mr. J. A. Warnock said he had heard organ music from the Pitt Street Church and St. Mary's Cathedral by radio and could think of nothing moro beautiful It was decided that Sunday night concefts, both by the band and the organ, be broadcasted.