Radio_Hong_Kong_1958-1959 — Page 24

SERIOUS MUSIC

71. The knowledge that the English Service has a very large number of Chinese listeners brought a new awareness of Radio Hong Kong's responsibilities in the field of serious music since there is widespread enthusiasm for classical western music particularly among the younger generation of Chinese listeners. The regular weekly recital by local artists continued to provide both a stimulus to young performers and an outlet to the proficient, whilst recorded programmes made available the world's best artists. Old favourites such as Music Lovers Hour continued, although thought was being given to dropping this programme or changing its form to improve its effectiveness; a classical request programme suffers considerably in that not more than two or three requests can be met in each programme and the backlog of unanswered requests can grow to formidable proportions. The enthusiasm of a programme assistant who is herself a pianist of concert standard, brought new range to the programmes. Innovations in recorded music included 'Music from A to Z', 'Music of Our Time', Moment Musicale, and Masterpieces for the Piano.

72. To introduce Chinese music to non-Chinese listeners, Professor YAU Sing Nun wrote a series of six illustrated talks on the history of Chinese music, which excited considerable interest among both sections of the audience. 'Melodies from China' was the title given to the series of art songs recitals originally broadcast in the Chinese Service and these programmes together with a Chinese New Year recital also evoked favourable comment.

73. The British Council representative, Mr. John Jenkins, produced a series of programmes on English Hymns and Anthems; Mr. Dennis Duncanson, on behalf of the Dante Aligheri Society, wrote a com- memoration of Puccini on his birthday anniversary; the Schools Musical Festival was covered by a short documentary programme; and the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra broadcast twice.

74. In accordance with the policy of giving the greatest number of people an opportunity to hear live performances by the great artists visiting the Colony, many celebrities broadcast from the Concert Hall. They included Moisewitch, Jan Peerce, Inia Te Wiata, Gary Graffman, McHenry Boatwright, Hanna Ludwig, Brigitte de Beaufond, Bernard Michelin and Annarosa Taddei.

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