HOW TO LISTEN

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 3, 24 July 1936, Page 58

HOW TO LISTEN

| Keith Barry’s Musical "Bradshaw" [t is doubtful whether Australia has ever before given us such a splendid half-crown’s worth as Dr, Barry’s handbook of 128 pages, "Musie and the Listener." To have heard Dr. Keith Barry’s plain, unvarnished radio talks is perhaps the most fitting introduction to this splendid little book. Naturally it is chock-full of "Barryisms," and if that illusive person, the "average listener," gives it intelligent and patient attention he will derive vastly more benefit from his future wireless-listening than was ever before possible. No radio listener re‘quires to pass examinations in musical theory to become an intelligent appreciator of the real essence of the music now being broadcast almost all day and every day. Of course one must have some desire to journey in that direction, but given that, the doctor’s "Guide to Musical Understanding" will help materially. He tells the truth about chamber music, discourses very ably indeed on vocal music, tells us how to listen to military bands, and explains just what "classical" music is, how instruments grew up, and what their place is in music. He gives practical hints to listeners and explains musica] terms and how to pronounce these and the names of the composers, What would you more? By way of example of what I have called "Barry-isms," let me quote some wise words from his practical hints to listeners :- "When gramophones first came in, to be followed in a little while by radio sets, everyone thought that there would never more be any need for children to be taught music, unless they were intending to be professional musicians, Ag well to argue that children need not be taught English composition because authors provide all the books we want. Now that musie is such a widespread art the need for studying it is more urgent than ever. "The trouble is that in the past we have spent a great deal of time and money trying to make every infant a concert performer instead of a music student, We don’t teach children Shakespeare so that | they might recite it on the slightest provocation... Yet, many g parent has Mary f taught music only that she might ‘play a piece’ when the visitors come. "The first thing to do in approaching the subject of music study is to realise that we pay attention to it for the same reason as we study English, history, or geography ... not that we might get up and recite it in public, but that we may have information on something that will | be useful to us." Thus the author sums up in a few terse sentences what needs to be said over and over again. In my opinion, Dr. Keith Barry is. a sure and safe guide to accompany anyone on a musical pilgrimage. "Music and the Listener," Dr. Keith Barry. Robertson and Mullens, Melbourne. Our copy from the publishers.