Donald Satz wrote:
>... Whenever I have complained about the lack of good classical music
>on the radio, my wife's usual response is - "Just put on a disc. You
>have a few, right?"
I can understand that, but for me, classical radio was my introduction
to classical music. As a kid, while we were far from poor, and I spent
what money I did have on records, radio introduced me to a world of
music. Living outside New York City, I could hear experimental music
of WBAI, those wonderful festivals of American Music on WNYC, Paul Snook's
programming on WRVR...things like a series devoted to Czech music, Hanus,
Haba, et al. There was the Music from Germany program which introduced
me to the music of Henze and Einem. I could hear as many as six different
major orchestra's in concert every week. David Randolf would present
music I had never heard before, works that could not be bought on
recordings. The French Broadcasting System gave us programs of the full
range of French music, including interviews with composers. I learnt
the music of Dutilleux, Jolivet, Martinon, Barraud, Barraine, et al.
Martin Bookspan would give us an introduction to a living composer every
week. Paul Snook would have on people like Morton Gould and Bill Schuman
and spend a few hours with them playing their music.
These are things you can't get on disc. I think some of us may have
forgotten the potential of radio. For me, we have lost a great teaching
tool.
Karl
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