MODERN MUSIC.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 78, 20 December 1940, Page 4

MODERN MUSIC.

Sir,-Although I respect the opinions of L. D. Austin and examine them thoroughly. I have no inclination to accept his assertions as basic truths; in fact I am almost led to conclude that such frantic declarations are based on the dictum "repeat a statement often enough and it will be believed." I have no desire to belittle the talent of the old masters and the beauty of their works, but it is obvious from the dissension existing among members of the old school themselves that their music has its faults. The name " Jazz" has become firmly fixed in the mind of L. D. Austin and others as a term describing a modern dance band, whereas in reality jazz was but a passing phase in the development of bands although the term may still apply to the "corny country cousins" type of dance band. The jazz era was a necessary stage in the evolution of the modern swing band and has‘tue same relation to modern idiom as the first motor car has to’ the modern streamlined version. Swing music has been described as being built of the theme and variation type, space being left for soloists, each improvising a new theme. L. D. Austin sneers at this allegedly haphazard principle, but an analogy will serve to illustrate its effectiveness. Examine the results obtained by two types of public speakers. One who is a gifted orator, steps forward and thrills his audience with every sentence, improvising as he ‘proceeds with only occasional reference to the theme, The other is a man with a good delivery, but who has to read every word from notes or who has memorised his whole speech. To the majority of people the old style of music represents this second type of speaker, and while all music lovers admit that the compositions are very beautiful, it is appreciated that they have not the same appeal as modern "integration" except to those who have been compelled from childhood to study and recognise the old masters. Such compulsion is comparable with the methods adopted in Germany by the Nazis, intent on enforcing their ideas on all and sundry, It will be remembered too that the Nazis have forbidden the playing of swing music in Germany, and L. D. Austin in his final furious "kick against the pricks" asserts that he would adopt similar measures if he had the power. To me, much of the modern music is as beautiful as the old classics, and in most cases more so, and I feel a pang of sorrow for those who are too old or too bigoted to appreciate it. Mecdern music, especially swing, is enjoyed by many people whose only real chance is on Friday nights at 10. A perusal of the weekly programme reveals the great inadequacy in choice and variety in that particular field. : What we need in this world is not a sharp division of opinion labelled highbrow and lowbrow, but a judicious blend-the broadbrow. So let us have our old and new in proper proportion and neither to

the exclusion of the other

HUGH A. R.

PAT

TERSON

(Gisborne).