In the early days of broadcasting few items in the
pro- grammes were as heartily abused as chamber-music. Letters poured into the offices of the B.B.C. insisting on the immediate removal of this high-brow and perverted form of musical entertainment. But the B.B.C. persisted, realizing that in chamber-music broadcasting possesses its best friend. And now the concerts of chamber-music are among the most eagerly anticipated items in the musical programmes. For the truth is, of course, that an ensemble of four broadcasts far better than an ensemble of a hundred ; and in comparison with broadcast symphonic music, broadcast chamber-miisic approximates much nearer to the original. To many listeners, therefore, the present series of Monday night Cham- ber Concerts offers the best listening of the week. Schubert's Octet occupies the programme in next Monday's concert, played by leaders of the E.B.C. orchestra ; and the soloists at the remaining concerts include Lamond, Murdoch, Stravin- sky, and the Amar and the Katcher Quartets.
Previous page
