MODERN MUSIC.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 51, 14 June 1940, Page 12

MODERN MUSIC.

The Editor, "The Listener." Sir,-First I must apologise for my statement concerning Tchaikovski, which I made in all sincerity, Unfortunately I did not realise my mistake until some time later when listening to 2YA’s "Centenary of Tchaikovski." (Yes, I often listen to Sunday evening classical programmes. ) In reply to A.A., I would ask him not to judge the height of modern musical art by the mass of popular songs we hear to-day, but by such modern composers as Duke Ellington, Gershwin, and Hoagy Carmichael. Percy Grainger (he has a smattering of musical knowledge) compared the Duke’s "Creole Love Call" and " Black and Tan Fantasy" to Delius and Bach. In a more recent statement he said: "I can appreciate jazz just as much as the classics. All music is good if it is sincere and natural. In some jazz and swing music I have heard recently there was much more sincerity than in some of the socalled classical music." However, I think the main cause of all cur dissension was summed up in a statement by John Dempster, Australian Music Critic (classical), who said: "As in other cities, music lovers in Adelaide are divided into two all but warring camps; the alleged intellectuals and the supposed froth and bubble musicians. Neither section understands the other, with the result that mutual ignorance breeds unreasonable antagonisms. Half the trouble lies in the fact that too much reliance is placed by everybody on the broadcasting of both symphonic and swing music. Admitting all the wonders of radio, lovers of jazz can be assured that they actually receive a dim reflex of a symphony by merely hearing it over the air, To attend a concert by Jim Davidson (Australian Dance Band Leader) is, apart from being downright good fun, a most interesting lesson in modern orchestration and counterpoint." Yours, etc.,

R.J.

H.

Wellington, May 27, 1940.