Marble Halls—or Flesh 'n' Blood

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 27, 16 December 1938, Page 32

Marble Halls—or Flesh 'n' Blood

Government’s "Wise And Provident" Radio Policy ... Congratulations On Christmas Number ... Are Jews On Top In Business?

been a regular reader e of your paper for some, years, and am generally in sympathy with your front page articles, but I am afraid that your article of December 2 struck a discordant note for me. Under the wise and provi dent radio policy of our present Government, we have 4 chain of stations, which, I think, are second to none and all that is needed now is aceess to a modern musical library of the works of great composers. We should not shun the classies; if one only took an interest in the various wonders of harmony, a greater appreciation of Beethoven, Verdi and other classical composers would be fostered. The poor souls who sing (?) of having found their heaven in somebody’s eyes, and who have obviously mistaken the direction, don’t appeal to many; even ardent dancers shudder at this type of fare. I know you are not supporting this very low type of music, but you said, inter alia, that we want more ‘‘ flesh. ’n’ blood.’’ iP J.C, (Hamilton); I have

When one considers that the most expensive classical records seldom exceed 10/- in cost, the suggestion would seem a bad end to a good policy of saving licence fees. We easily get our 25/- worth. On with the good work and campaigns for all that is right, but, for Heaven’s sake, let the listeners’ money be spent reasonably, and I call this a reasonable time for the building of a conservatorium, Congratulations From B. T. Sheil, Adveritising Manager of the NCBS: I desire to congratulate you on the Christmas number of the *‘Radio Record.’’ As I am familiar with various radio publications in Australia, I ean

say definitely that the production of your issue is far superior to any similar magazine in. Australia. I feel that you are also to be congratulated on the new set-up of the programmes, particularly the Rapid Radio Guide, which should result in better listening, inasmuch as it is a concise and sensible guide to the programme choice of listeners, Anti-Semitism Liber (Wellington): In the December 2 issue of the ‘‘Record’’, ‘*L.K.’’ says that Anti-Semitism is caused by ‘*ionorance, prejudice and personal grievance.’’ While these factors no doubt. obtain in many cases of prejudice against the Jews, it cannot be claimed that they hold good in all cases. Regarding the JewS in Germany, who are the focus at present, there are a few facts which are of interest, even if they are not universally known. In mentioning these facts

it must not be assumed that the motive in doing so is in any way anti-Semitic. In Berlin 65 per cent. of the houses belonged to Jews, and some of the Jews had been living in houses containing 20 or 80 rooms, while Germans could not find accommodation. The property of 700,000 Jews in Germany represented 8000 million marks, and the Germans’ capital wealth was 2500 marks, while the Jewish (per capita) was 11,500 marks, which is more than four times greater than the German. The Jews have had a big say in the control of the Press in Germany, and still have in various other countries. In music, art, etc., the Jews have been exceedingly prominent, although some of their activities in this conection are considered by many to have a "debasing" influence on the arts. As regards some other countries, a multitude of facts cam be given showing that the Jews have a large measure of control, chiefly through their financial and ecoomic powers. In New Zealand ‘there. does not yet exist a Jewish problem, as their numbers are very small. But in countries such as Germany it would be surprising if anti-Semitism did not show itself to some extent. Breakfast Music S.K.M. (Port Albert): Our worthy Prime Minister once made the statement that "he hoped the time was not far distant when the uplifting influence of radio would be in every home in New Zealand, spreading its educative and refining influence throughout the land." Well, now then. We are going strong that way, so far as the numper of radios is concerned, but unfortunately, in the opinion of many, we still wait for the abovenamed influence to make its presence known and felt, In this regard I mention the poor stuff which is daily dished up by ‘way of music (save the term) in the breakfast sessions. This awful trash, known better as "jazz," far from helping toward the consummation referred to above, is surely an offence to a sensitive mind, and far from helping digestion, has the harrowing effect of "rising the bile" with the accompanying after-effect of a very bad start for the day, Jazz Old Ted (New Plymouth): I was very interested in a letter in the "Record’s" Home Forum which asked if the majority of listeners enjoyed jazz and crooning. I say definitely no, and I cannot for the life of me understand why we get so much of it over the radio. Surely we are a_ long-suffering people, paying for what is generally loathed. I had the oppor. tunity recently of visiting most of the listeners in New Plymouth, and everywhere I went the constant query was, why was so much jazz and crooning (which was described as rubbish) broadcast? This I reported to the local station, and incidentally [ think 2YB broadcasts less of this. than any other station in New Zealand. In "fact some 2YB announcers will not put jazz over the air during their sessions, and these programmes are the best we get...Surely there is plenty of. good music to be listened to, without being compelled to put up with inferior records. f£ would suggest that all jazz records be put ‘on after 10 p.m., so we can turn off the radio and go to bed. -~

Appreciation David M. Smith (Auckland): As an appreciative reader of the "Record," particularly your radio notes, please permit me to express through your columns my thanks to 1YA for:the delightiu\ feature in a recent Friday’s pro gramme-the rendering of the Mendelssohn Concerto. by Mist Dora Judson and Mr. Albert Bry ant. Apart from the enjoyable performance of the number, it ia not often that we listeners hear the piano and pipe organ together, Ii was a most refreshing changa from the usual vocal and orches: tral music. Congratulations, 1YA, JAZZ. Carol Singing G.S.B.. (Auckland): May I make a plea through your eolumns for little less carol singing in ou radio fare this Christmas? [I can remember some recent Christmases when it has been nothing but carols day and night from every station in the country, until I reached a state when one more

— tt rendering of "Good King Wencelas" by some fat brass band, or of "Venite Adoramus" by Bing Crosby would make me scream, I¢ would be ail right if it were confined to the radio, but where I iive we always have several assorted parties of carol singers, not to men-: tion the local prass band, which hires a truck and a keg of beer each Christmas and proceeds te make night very hideous. I’m inclined to go half the way with Scrooge at times. Blithering Jaray (Kaitaia): I, for one, relish this outspoken criticism of some of the blithering and blubbering about hearts in the moonshine which goes over the air. 1 agree that the music of the old masters should not be abused. Life is not all "bed and roses" for some of your listeners. Many of us are thankful to get tone and tonic from the stalwart songs of Peter Dawson and be braced for the day’s battle with a rousing band march;, but this other hair-parted-in-the-middle, weak-kneed, discordant stuff is enough to drive decent folk to the mental asylum. ~ Full Text Eiector (New Plymouth): I am very glad to see Mr. Savage makjing use of the radio at every opportunity when he has an important public announcement for the country. It means that we get a much better explanation of the whole situation than if it were merely left to the daily papers. The Press might do a good job of reporting, but speeches always have to be cut because of pressure on. space, so it is only through radio that we are able to have the full uncondensed version of what Mr. Savage has fo say.