Evening star., 1926-09-05
BY HOWARD pIERsoN BAILEY.

An announcement was made during
the week on the eve of the opening
of new music season which may
make of this season one which will go
dewn in history as the turning point
In the entire business OF musical en-
tertainment This announcement
concerned the broadcasting arrange
ments of three Of the finest orchestras
Of the country.
The New York Symphony is re-
ported TO have contracted with a
Chicago firm for the presentation OF
a series of concerts. The Boston
Symphony has arranged for similar
series in New England. while the New
York Philharmonic. the pioneer In
broad adcasting Of the three, will permit
the broadcasting of the entire season
of concerts.
The entrance Of these three into
radio entertaining on such broad
scale means that radio fans will be
able to hear the best Of orchestral
music without the necessity of leaV-
ing their homes, and also will offer a
free attraction at a time when an
other may be staged before the
smaller audience of a concert hall or
theater entrance to which would re-
quire the usual admission charge.
1t is the effect of this competition
which will be watched with much
interest by the public and concern by
those who are interested financially.
The rapid improvement OF radio
programs has dated. from the time
when large mercantile concerns hit
upon the idea of engaging artists
and organizations for the advertis-
ing that would follow. Up until that
time interest In radio had shown
signs of dropping off because the pro
grams and artists failed to satisfy the
discriminating taste Of the listeners.
The novelty of radio reception. the
uncanny ability to pick up music
and speeches out Of the air was sufi1-
cient to lure. to the radio an unprec-
edented following. The business
man grasped the advertising possi-
bilities at hand, and a steady i'm
provement in quality of programs
followed. The photograph companies
were perhaps the first to realize the
situation and rise to meet 1t. They
secured some Of the outstanding
artists in the country, musicians and
singers who made their records, and
there is no doubt but what the sale
of records by these artists were
stimulated.
Between the radio and the phono-
graph there was the battle for su-
premacy, and each had it's attractions.
In favor Of the phonograph was the
ability TO pick music that the listener
desired and the assurance of an al
ways fine performance. For the radio
there was the variety and expectancy
Of a program unpublished in advance.
The companies early saw their
problem and were quick to meet it.
They also learned from the radio q
far better method OF recording,
method that no longer lost the deep
bass and top notes.
The problem that confronted radio.
and one that seemed almose impossi-
BILE of solution. was that of paying
artists for performances. That prob
lem now seems solved. Broadcast
ing A radio program seems an in
conCruous method of advertising a
baking powder. for instance. but,
nevertheless. the listener who has
heard the music with enjoyment
would naturally feel enough of an
obligation to repay the gift of music
the next time he might be i'll the
market for the product advertised.
The manufacturers of radio sets,
700, nave COne mucA LOT tne DctteI-
ment of programs. They are con-
ductinS stations and putting on fine
entertainments
The mechanics Of broadcasting
music. the proper arranging of mu-
sicians in an orchestra. the singers
in a chorus. the proper type of
studio and other such problems are
being rapidly understood and the re-
suits are making it possible now to
pick up an almost perfect reproduc
ton of the original Sets. too, have
been greatly improved and loud
speakers freed of metallic and dis
torted sounds.
These things have all tended to-
ward n notwithstanding of the music
industry Whether the revolution is
to come about will probably be large
ly decided by the results OF this
years broadcaSting and concert and
opera attendance. The radio pro-
grams are full, orchestra. singer and
musician alike being gathered for
symphony. recital and opera.
If the old conditions are to pre-
vail 1t would seem almost vital that
one of four things must come TO
pass: the stations must give up