Shilkret Says Taste Is A Matter of Experience

Radio Record, Volume VII, Issue 7, 25 August 1933, Page 15

Shilkret Says Taste Is A Matter of Experience

To the -Ediror. Sir--I am enclosing some excenpts from an article by Nat. Shilkret on Radio Broadcasting, which may prove of interest, As you are probably aware, Shilkret has a great list of achievements and activities in the music field; he directs a few radio hours; he arranges sound recordings and synchronisation for several talkie companies, he is known internationally as a famous composer and arranger ; he is an accomplished musician instrumentally, having played in the world’s greatest symphony orchestras.I am, ete,

WELLINGTONIAN

Christchurch,

Enclosure "There ig no reason why jazz should be spoken of as something different from other musical materials. After sane analysis one must admit that there are fundamentally three qualities of musicgood, bad, and indifferent. There is no exact artistic demarcation between classical music and jazz, Some jazz music is good music, artistically wrought, well artanged, competently performed; some "classical’ music is bad music, inartistic and lopsided, badly scored, and poorly played. Perhaps the greatest objection to the rhythmic conception we eall "jazz" is the fact, not that it is ‘‘unclas’ ical," but that it is so often inadequate in an artistic way-that it is monotonous, unoriginal, and insincere. "Jn literature we much more readily condemn a work, even on a serious subject, that is inadequately and uninterestingly written, than an intriguing and well told story on a subject of passing value, In music we have begun to reach that point... "To play what the people already like does not require much of a talent. Anyone but a simpleton could do it, and find his work cut out for him. But to acquaint audiences with excellently played new material, musie that they will come to be fond of, demands knowledge, tact an musicianship. Here is the field for the better director. "You can please them for a time, certainly, on what they’ve already approved (it’s so easy), but when they grow tired of the monotony of Istening to the same music incessantly, as they must eventually, then what’s to be done? "You must get off the beaten path! Pioneer! Assume that audiences have a higher musical intelligence than we’ve been led to believe (and they have!). Taste is largely a matter of experience, If the people are given no chance to hear anything new or unique, it is foolish to expect them to acquire a taste for better music. It is the musician’s job to help the public form its tastes; by feeding them new. healthy morsels that are tasty." .