MODERN MUSIC

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 75, 29 November 1940, Page 4

MODERN MUSIC

Sir,-In your issue .of November 1, "F.B." made a desperate attempt to draw me out further upon the subject of Modern Music, concerning which I have already expressed my unaltered views in no uncertain terms. However, to dispel, once and for always, any possible doubt about it, let me tell "F.B." that, in my personal opinion, the greater part of modern musical composition, including all

jazz, is an unspeakable abomination; and my dearest desire is that I might be dictator of music publishing just long enough to sweep such rubbish out of existence. And that’s that. I should have ignored "F.B,’s" letter, Mr. Editor, but for the fact that most of it consisted of a stupid tirade against "L.D.A." who has no more to do with this controversy than the man in the moon. Can it possibly be that "F.B." imagines "L.D.A." and L. D. Austin are one and the same person? I repudiate such a gratuitous assumption with the strongest prevarication. Where would we all be, Sir, if allegations of synonymous identity were accepted on the flimsiest of evidence? Let me quote a parallel example. If "F.B." is familiar with Thackeray’s works he may recall the following passages in " The Newcombes ": "F.B. was the son of a gentleman of most ancient family and vast landed possessions, which he, F.B., invested in a large amount of wild oats. . . . We are glad to learn that F.B. is a good deal altered and has now mended some of his ways." "On the strength of these quotations, would I be justified, Mr. Editor, in drawing unwarranted inferences regarding "F.B.’s" identity-especially as you have his gracious permission to disclose it? Of course not, and equally certain is it that the

question does not interest me. —

L. D.

AUSTIN

(Wellington).