ORCHESTRA PROGRAMMES.
Sir,-This is not criticism of the Orchestra, of which we all ought to be proud, but of the programmes presented. Approximately a quarter ,of the people, listeners and audiences -- the minority-prefer classical music. Three-quarters-the majority-prefer lighter or more melodious music. Examples of lighter’ music could be the Strauss waltzes, Eric Coates’s compositions, "Warsaw Concerto," "Jealousy," and many of the records listed and played by the Boston Promenade Orchestra. Primarily the Orchestra is a. broadcasting one and supported from listeners’ license fees. If the above averages are at all correct, I suggest that three-quar-ters of the Orchestra’s programmes should be suitable for the majority of listeners. The Orchestra plays in the main centres to "record" audiences. Does: it play to record "listener" audiences? Opinions of listeners on this latter point might be interesting. Meanwhile let me answer in advance those who say that this means a lowering of standards, of failing to hitch one’s musical wagon to a distant high-brow star, that best is best and only the best is good enough, and that the Orchestra can't be expected to play low-brow music and then be called upon to perform some major work with understanding and brilliance. Well, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the best in the world, but the Boston Best apt Orchestra is the centre section of Boston Symphony. Likewise, Goodman, the jazz and swing band clarinettist, plays also with the Budapest String Quartet.
A. C.
MUDFORD
(Public Works.
. Kaitawa iP
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 431, 26 September 1947, Page 5
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246ORCHESTRA PROGRAMMES. New Zealand Listener, Volume 17, Issue 431, 26 September 1947, Page 5
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