The Week's RECORDS

Radio Record, Volume XIII, Issue 11, 21 August 1939, Page 9

The Week's RECORDS

* the recently-introduced record player does anything, it will probably ‘bring about a new crop of gramophone groups, clubs, circles, or s0eieties. And if this happens it will have served an additional good purpose, because there is nothing like sharing one another’s aesthetic experiences to get a "kick" out. of life. The lone fireside listener is all right in his way, but there’s a good deal to be said for an exchange of ideas on music, artists, composers, and ths technical aspects of recording and reproduction, We all can learn from one another. MHere’s a case in point. A vhoirmaster was talking to his boys in Wellington recently, and more jokingly than seriously he suggested that they should have a shot at composing. "Get an idea or two down on paper," he urged, "and it will surprise you what nice tunes come, somehow .shape themselves in your thoughts, and soon begin to appear in the form of notes either on or between the lines." At the end of the practice a boy of twelve gave the choirmaster himself a surprise. He asked that he might be allowed to show his vocal instructor a piece he was already working at, and to the amazement of the choirmaster, it turned out to be for a string quar-tet-can you beat that? Helps Listening Hi formation of listening-cum-gramophone groups is going to enhance the enjoyment of radio listening and gramophone record playing immense-ly-and the advent of the new record player will widen the scope for membership. Chamber music, grand opera, orchestral classics, and lieder are all of permanent interest. They can be listened to in the ordinary way by a listening group, and after the broadcast, any particular recorded work, if owned by a member, can be played over through the same radio set, by means of a record player. . In the latter case any special parts can be played and replayed, studied and analysed. Groups meeting in one another’s homes for social and cultural purposes will also bring to light unexpected recorded gems that are in the other fellow’s collection. The real bond between gramophone owners and radio listeners remains to be finally forged, and it looks as if the pick-up and turntable were the things which would bring gramophile and _listener together in mutual association, While it is true that most of us have radios, .there are more "hearers" than "listeners," They that have ears to hear let them not merely "hear" but "listen." A gramophone group is one step towards becoming a better "listener" -the personnel of the group will determine the extent of its usefulness. But as it-costs next to nothing to try out the group idea, why not make a start in your town or suburb. It will give you some sur-prises-it may prove a boon and a blessing.