h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I have just read your exchange with Harold Pollins about classical music in wartime. Could I ask if you heard any classical concerts (particularly those organised by ENSA) whilst you were serving in the war? With all best wishes, Katy

Hello Kate,
Harold was a Soldier during the latter part of the war, I was only sixteen when the war in Europe ended.
My Father who was a pianist although we none of us knew it until my first piano came in the door was tuned and then he played it. To say my mothers chin hit her chest as her mouth fell open in surprise does not do the scene justice.
His Father and Grandfather had both been musicians. After doing the normal work, they travelled to play at concerts or dances and had to be back and at work next morning.
My early training was the classical kind when you wonder if you will ever get to play a proper tune, it did give me an insite and later love of classical music.
We had classical concerts on the BBC through out the war and as a family sat and listened, music was the lift from those dark days and nights and we listened to all types from Dance to classic.
When I started work towards the very end of the war we ate our mid-day meals in works canteens they would have lunchtime concerts of all kinds. Yes, I heard live classical concerts, they were just as full as the pop music and you could hear a pin drop as a canteen full of people listened to a Pianist, a Quartet or just a single Violin. On the very odd occasion in the larger works we would hear a small Orchestra, wonderful.
Ensa were mainly entertainers for the troops to my knowledge. The concerts we saw would be organised by the Music While You Work people of which I know very little.
Music would be played nearly all day over Tannoy to the mainly female workers who would be singing their heads off. The noise in those places from machinery was horrific but the girls could tune in to the melodies over the extraneous noises. It was a time people sang, it was better than any of those modern social workers or Psychiatrists. Singing was something we all did including me once I started work.
I hope that answers some of your questions Katy but come back if you have more I will try to answer them for you, if not I know people who can.
Regards Frank.

Katy,
Sorry about that long speech, I went back to e-mail and saw a message from Ron telling me you would be coming on.
I realise my post has no relevence to your research as I was not in the army during the war but later.
Sorry for wasting your time.
Regards Frank.