TO ENCOURAGE MUSIC.

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 41, 26 April 1929, Page 6

TO ENCOURAGE MUSIC.

WE make no apology for directing the attention of readers to the . forthcoming initial performance of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, as established on what is hoped will be a permanent basis. It is an organisation of which Wellington should have good cause to be proud. It represents the culmination of some six years’ steady effort on the part of the founder, Mr. Leon de Mauny, and its prime objective is to make available to the Wellington musical public orchestral presentations of the world’s masterpieces. With the desire to make good music as widely known as possible, the founder of the orchestra and his associates have agreed to their orchestral performances being broadcast. Listeners in general will, therefore, have the opportunity of enjoying and appreciating performances of a class which certainly otherwise would never be available to them. WHILE, however, this privilege is to be accorded to listeners, we wish to make on this occasion a frank appeal to those who are able to do so to accord both their personal presence and financial support to the Symphony Orchestra. Effective and enjoyable as radio broadcasting may be, it can never hope to equal the pleasute afforded by physical presence at a performance of this nature Massed in the orchestra are 64 instrumentalists, and’ for the concluding number of "1812" 76, thus giving the full orchestral presentation of the score as originally written by Tschaikowsky. The sight, sound, and atmosphere of such a performance can hardly be conveyed adequately by radio. [T is important, of course, to music in Wellington that the new Symphony Orchestra shall be established on a sound financial basis. Annual subscriptions are, therefore, invited from those who are sympathetic, the basis being one guinea per annum, for which adequate tickets are available in return. Auckland is supporting her fine Bohemian Orchestra to the tune of 600 subscriptions per annum,. Wellington should be able to equal that performance. "(HAT radio and radio listeners should sympathetically encourage performances of this nature is, we think, admitted. Precedent is afforded by the action of the British Broadcasting Company in coming to the rescue of the famous Promenade Concerts in London by according them financial support and giving them the prestige of broadcasting. They have been so popularised that attendances, which were formerly declining, have expanded to the maximum

en a at teed Ga be Seemed capacity of the half in which they are given. It is sincerely to "be hoped that a similar success will be recorded in Wellington on the occasion of the regular performances of the Wellington Symphony Orchestra. The Radio Broadcasting Company is doing its part in extending encouragement, but it may be that a number of country listeners, who are unable to attend in person, would like to show their appreciation of the establishment of the orchestra, and the pleasure they will derive by its work being put ongthe air, by becoming annual subscribers. The cause is certainly one which should greatly appea! to all lovers of music, and we commend the object to those who are able to extend their support. They will benefit by the improvement and diversity of programme which will be afforded by these features from time to time. LOSS *