THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES,

Hokitika Guardian, 1 April 1926, Page 2

THOUGHTS FOR THE TIMES,

Missionaries to Musical. Heath ns. Dame Nellie -Melba, in a. letter: " Amid the sadness of bidding goodbye to so many friends of mine up and down the country it has been a pleasure to note almost everywhere a quickening in musical appreciation. To-day there are gratifying signs that the British audience begins to bear as well as listen; and if the result is to be a musical revival the credit for it will bo due in no small degree to men like. Halle. Henry AVood, Eugene Goossens. London Ronald, Albert Coates, Hamilton Harty, and a number of other pioneers in Loudon and certain provincial centres. “ A'ot mainly, so it seems to me, the secret of this new interest is to be found in the astonishing enlargement of the audience for music accomplished by the gramophone and broadcasting. Although I believe I was the first prima donna to make a gramophone record, and the first to broadcast, I have not. whilst recognising the possibilities of these devices, ever accepted either of them uncritically, and 1 am well aware of the flaws in wireless as that science i.s practised to-day. But. just as I have followed the gradual perfection oT the gramophone, so I think one may look forward to the improvements in wireless. Broadcasting and the gramophone arc certainly the two most eloquent missionaries to the musical heathen in our midst.”