OUR MUSIC CRITIC.

New Zealand Listener, Volume 7, Issue 182, 18 December 1942, Page 3

OUR MUSIC CRITIC.

Sir,-I agree that your music critic’s remarks about the Beethoven and Mahler symphonies laid him wide open to attack. But those who take advantage of an opportunity of that kind give him no credit for the excellent column he produces from time to time. Myself I disagree with most of what he writes, but at the same time I find his article one of the most entertaining and stimulating features of The Listener, and I have the impression that a good many other people feel the same about it. I therefore plead for its continuance.

BEETHOVEN LOVER

(Christchurch).

Sir,-The harsh criticism in your cortespondence columns makes me want to express a little appreciation of "Marsyas". Sometimes certainly, he seems determined to provoke his flaying, but many of his criticisms, ideas, and suggestions seem to me so good, as well as being so interesting and helpful, that I am hoping very much that he won’t be flayed out of existence. But I'd like to suggest to him that by antagonising people by criticism that, is even a little unfair, he defeats one of his own best aims-the encouragement and guidance of New Zealand’s own efforts. Also, by expressing himself less technically, he could help people more without in the least lowering his standard. Meanwhile the existence of a column where music is discussed seriously is a most hopeful

sign.

M.

A.

(Eastbourne )

Sir-In my opinion Listener readers should, and for the most part do, recognise your correspondent "Marsyas" as an informed and gifted critic who offers sound views in an interesting way. Readers such as "Bayonet" do themselves no credit in displaying so little abilitv to appreciate such excellent

articles.

APPRECIATIVE

Ch.Ch.).