"POOR STUFF" IN N.Z. PROGRAMMES

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 33, 27 January 1939, Page 24

"POOR STUFF" IN N.Z. PROGRAMMES

Criticism From Lower Hutt Listener .. . Those Shortwave Joy Germs From Berlin _.. More Letters On Jazz Versus Classics

have been lately some letters in your paper thoroughly condemning the poor stuff served up to us by the broadeasting stations. The programmes I heard on a recent Saturday evening provided an-example of absolute trash, mostly suitable to amuse only inmates of mental homes. For example, one station put on a supposedly humorous skit depicting, in a conversation, an imbecile female child making silly remarks in a squeaky tone. The other stations were nearly as bad, with sloppy songs, and so.on. It would be interesting to subscribers to know how the Government purchasvs its records. From some that are broadeast, it seems that the sellers bundle up a parcel of assortments before any official hears them played, and: that, onee in the station, they remain there till worn out-*‘ Eb and Zeb,’’ for example. Of course, the answer to this and other complaints is ‘‘turn the knob.’’ That is no use. A fairly certain way to please all is to classify records for each of the main stations, thus enabling listeners to turn on certain station for certain enter. talnment. X (Lower Hutt): There

Berlin Joy Germs Mrs. L. Voice (Wellington South): Regarding the inten.

view I had with you about the Berlin shortwave station (‘Shortwave Joy Germs From Berlin’’-‘‘Reeord,’’ 13/1/39). I would like to add further that my reference to the German

people desiring the friendship and regard of the English, was a quotation from the book, "Ordeal in England," by Philip Gibbs. Alse that my remark in connection with the shortwave station refutinx some of the allegations of certain politicians was that "they fee! they have a right to state their

case, as we all do," and not, "we’ve got to fight for our rights." The remarks by Raymond Gram "Swing from the BBC" were incompletely reported. It was also my request that reference be made to the testimony of the GSS itself, taken from the pamphlet submitted, "Berlin Calling." This was sent to perhaps every programme receiver, numbering more than 60,000 listeners and says: "The ever-ready and enthusiastic voluntary eo-operation of the listener has proved inspiring and helpful. We have grown into a big world family. .. A Canadian correspondent writes thus: ‘You know it jus? seems your station belongs to us here on this side of the Atlanticyour call letters-DJD-are an abbreviation for good fellowship."* _ In Australia and New Zealand many hundreds of listeners write to say-just as they do to PC3 Holland: "Yours is the happy station of good-will." One can frequently hear this in reply given "over the air" to Ietters received by the GSS-this correspondence numbering more than 50,000 letters per year. "Berlin Calling" also states that "the announcers’ names have become household words in many homes overseas, and innu-

merable personal links have been formed aeross the ocean," "Old Controversy" C Sharp Major (Springfield): ‘‘Miss Swing’s’’ statement and query im the ‘‘Record’? of January 13 regarding narrow-minded lovers of classieal music, merely revives -an old controversy -- original against imitator. Each works in a Gifferent sphere; neither appeals to alt. The classic-lover seeks enjoyment in the original and permanent melodies in which these works abound, rather than in hot syncopated numbers which, being filehed largely from classical sources, are tricked up to fit them for the ear of’those who appreciate the less subtle forms of rhythm. . Though the classic listener may know ‘much of the lives and ‘careers of performers, it is the work and the incidents in a composer’s life that are the foundations of his music which primarily command interest. AS a nondancer, I find the daily afternoon interlude from 38YL sufficient to satisfy my needs in swing and | other dance music. I do not nec--essarily abhor dance music. Nar-|-row-minded?, Does "Miss Swing" | appreciate "Rio Grande" or "Rhapsody in Blue’-both jazz. classics?

The Secret Sparks (Taihape}: I have been reading further letters in your. Home Forum and cannat resist. writing again on the subject of "popular versus classical." In the first place I would like to advise some of your correspondents that "jazz" went out of existence in 1922, and is not now heard on the radio, exeept perhaps in the "revival" type. of record, which is seldom played. Writers are here showing their own ignorance of the subject on which they write. Old Fed of New Plymouth attempts to gauge public opinion, but says nothing of 2a vote which was once taken and the public’s "mandate" for light popular music, mirth and melody €which they did no. obtain in proportion ta their vating). Jaray, of Kaitaia, derides "blith~ ering and blubbering about hearts in the moonlight," but forgets that the worst offenders are the "classical" singers with their "Whistle and YH Come to You," "Alice, Where Art Thou?" and "Phyllis Has Such Charming Graces" type of musk, No one would object to the "better-class" music (so-called) if there were more choice exercised and only the pieces which have some pretence of melody were played, and _ the "aimless wandering" type exeluded. No doubt the records which cause all the adverse criticism are the "swing" {or fast tempo} dance records. There are 2 Humber of these, the writer admits, where the players do not stick to the melody, but try to decorate the piece with a few blaring notes of their own. These are the cause of all the trouble and should be banned. Dance enthusiasts in New Zealand do not want these records, but programme selectors apparently have no ear for music. They say they have found it impossible to please all tastes; here is the secret. Cater for both highbrow and lowbrow, but please both by weeding out the sentimental soprano from the classical and the squealing swing specialist from the dance band;, then we will all have that one desirable featuremelody. "Nlarrow-mindedness"

Dewn With the Classics (Cashmere): Reading through the Home Forum of the last few issues of your splendid magazine, I was surprised that such narrow-minded-ness existed in New Zealand. How eften do you read where some "corny "music" fan would have swing and’ crooning in all forms kept off the air entirely. Even if he does detest swing, as he claims to, why deprive thousands of Hst eners of their enjoyment? Among. swing composers we have men capable of composing music equal to the present "corny music" producers to-day. George Gershwin’s compositions prove that, Miss Swing’s letter, I am sure, expresses what is in the minds of hundreds of swing fams. Only: one station next week has any dance music ‘before 16 o’clock | and then it is just for half an hour. Surely the natiognal stations could loosen up a little and give an oceasional full night's eine programme. ‘Bouquet For 1 ZM ‘ Listener (Auckland): I am sure that there are many people like myself who, while liking such modern music as "Fen Pretty Girls" or "The Girl on the Police Gazette"-not actually swinghave immense delight in hearing compositions by Liszt, Schubert or Chopin. One reader in your issue of Jan-

uary 15 advocated Naving at i€ast one national station on a betterclass programme. As far as I can see, all the YA stations put on this type of programme alt day, except for perhaps one or two hours late in the evening. It gets very monotonous; so much so, that we are glad te turn over to another station for some refreshing swing music, and, believe me, it is re freshing after so many sonatas and symphonies. The difficulty has been solved perfectly for Auckland listeners on Sundays from Station 1ZM. In the morning we get sacred music and high-class music-not much, but just enough. In the afternoon we get, I think, the best and most satisfying programme in New Zealand, consisting of light orchestrat music, musical comedy selections, piano selections and popular re- | cordings. If every station in New Zealand could give as good a variety of music as 1ZM gives on a Sunday, the problem would be solved, I-think I am correct in © saying that at least 60 ner cent of Auckland listeners tune into 1ZM on Sundays. Definition "Defender™ (Auckland): Musfe is defined as a connected series or & hermonious arrangement of sweet sounds. Hence, by the definition accepted in all good musical centres, modern "swing" ang@ "hot rhythm’ musically damned offSprings of jazz-which in its turn is a mere cacophonious elatter or syncopated discord-can have no claim to the title of music. And for Swing of Mataura to say that dinner music has "no rhythm, no tune, noe nothing," is to manifest not only ignorance of music, but also his inattentiveness, both of which put him in no fit position to criticise fairly. Hf he thinks dinner music is just @ jumble of instruments making 2 "chaos of sound," one is tempted to declare that he has never listened to jazz for which he professes preference. Sparks, of Taihape, another sympathetic jazz correspondent, hesides coinciding in taste with swing, distorts the, position regarding the National stations’ programmes. : In response to Miss Swing’s pleas for more jazz, I point ont that the reading of good literature cust

is conducive to higher mental andmoral .attitudes. So it is with music. Thus, to follow out this thought, the National stations are trying to educate and uplift an unthinking, inattentive unappreciating public, She infers that while swing, fans take the trouble of knowing all about jazz-bands and musicians, classical: lovers (those who appreciate music), take no steps to know all about orchestras and artists. Unfortunately, she eonfounds her inference by her own woerds-that she loves something and wants ta know all about it. "Classical lovers" are similar. Strange, is it not?.