GERMAN MUSIC

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21471, 20 April 1933, Page 13

GERMAN MUSIC

Sir, —I was greatly amused by the letter from "Indignant." Surely your correspondent is sufficiently intelligent to realise that music is international in character and that race and creed do not enter into its appreciation at all. I' assume that "Indignant" refers to Richard Tauber, and I think that all lovers of music will agree with me that this maß has one of the finest tenor voices in the world. Surely 1914-1918 can be forgotten. I, too, know the Germans, and the "blonde beast" myth has long been exploded. Be broadminded, New Zealand, and learn to rub shoulders with the world! Crochet. Sir, —Under the above heading "Indignant" complains of 2YA's transmitting German music; also of lYA's sending out "two items also sung in German by a German artist." Now, music knows 110 nationality. It is common to all, therefore, when music emanates from the land of Wagner, Beethoven, Handel and numerous others, give it to us, and in plenty. It is also time to drop war cries—bury them fathoms deep! Music should not bo curtailed. It is r common heritage, no matter from which source it is handed to us. Music ALE. Sir, —"Indignant," who protests so strenuously against the broadcasting of German records, would, no doubt, prefer to listen to a recording of "The Kookaburra's Complaint," or some such trash. Though there have been, and still are, excellent English composers and musicians, the nation cannot hope to rival the German people. 1 have no love for the Germans. Some of my own near relatives have suffered from the war, but it is pure childishness to protest against the broadcasting of German records. Would the suppression of German records benefit the souls of our men who wore killed? Would it be any help to the wounded? It is probablo that those who were injured for life now take a great pleasure in listening to the works of German composers interpreted by their own countrymen, who, surely, can produce better than anyone their own national music. J. Vr.ADIMTtt.