N.Z. PIANISTS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 14, Issue 356, 18 April 1946, Page 5

N.Z. PIANISTS

Sir,-May one inquire why comment upon broadcasts by outstanding New Zealand pianists is so rarely seen in The Listener? Lack of encouragement to our native young performers must be as galling to them as it is inexplicable to outsiders, I have in mind particularly the broadcasts given by Rhona Thomas (3YA), Margaret Boult (2YA) and Raymond Windsor (2YA), on February 15, 17 and 21 respectively. The first-named artist’s playing of Chopin’s F sharp Impromptu was, interpretatively, fully equal and technically superior to Ignaz Friedman's recording of the same work; Miss Boult played the "Danse d’Olaf" (Pick-Mangiagelli) in a style reminiscent of Eileen Joyce; and Raymond Windsor showed musicianship and executive skill of the highest order in a couple of Schubert’s Impromptus. Yet, so far, no notice of these exceptional achievements has appeared in the official organ of the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, though considerable space has been devoted to matters of-in my opinionlesser musical worth, I cannot see what object is served by such broadcasts unless they are officially recognised by com-

petent authority.

L. D.

AUSTIN

(Wellington) _

(it would have been \more candid of our correspondent to say plainly that he teaches one of these neglected performers. Obviously we cannot depend on interested listeners for information about outstanding broadcasts, but we pay competent musicians who are not teachers to draw attention to them.-Ed.)