MAN OF THE YEAR

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 396, 24 January 1947, Page 25

MAN OF THE YEAR

Sir,-The cover page of your issue of December 27 reproduces another portrait of Norman Corwin, Is it too much to hope that it will be the last? Mr. Corwin has received both from the NZBS and from The Listener the kind of nauseating publicity which is generally reserved for film stars. I do not deny that he is an efficient journalist and a stimulating broadcasting personality, but this fact seems hardly to warrant the glorification given to him. Many will have welcomed the reprint of his talk in extenso, but I should wish to see James Bertram’s broadcast (December 22) allowed the same honour, This talk was in my opinion one of the most outstanding and moving broadcasts ever relayed over a New Zealand ‘network, Mr. Corwin gave a report of 16 countries visited in so many weeks, . tinged with generous sympathy. But was it really heartfelt, as heartfelt as Mr. Bertram’s summing up on UNRAA’s work and his appeal on its behalf? Mr. Bertram refrained from high-faluting phrases on world-brotherhood, but its necessity was brought home much more pungently, convincingly, and movingly. The difference between the two speeches was enormous; not because of their literary quality or the manner of delivery, but because one was only a very effective accomplishment of a skilled broadcaster who knew where to cross the T’s and dot the I’s, while the other one was inspired by a deep and humane conviction. It was far more "religious" than Mr. Corwin’s "prayer to the God of the blue prints and the orange-juice!"

A MERE LISTENER

Sir,-E. de Lacey (Timaru) need have no fear that vocal recitals over the sir; will cease or even thin out (worse luck!) because of my letter published in The Listener some weeks ago. Nevertheless I would like to assure him that no one is more aware of the value to New Zealand listeners of the "music makers" than I am, providing the making of it is sufficiently adequate to please and not bore the musical public. E. de Lacey heads her letter "Local Artists.’ My complaint is that the large majority of the singers who give vocal studio recitals are very far from artists, either by training or temperament. Artists are never boring, though the music sung or played may not always appeal. In that case one is bored with the music, not with the performer. In the case of the performers at studio vocal recitals one is very often bored with the performer.

H.E.

GUNTER

to do so over the public radio, The home is the place for that, if the family will allow. Are listeners not long-suffering

A READER

(Timaru).