It was disappointing when they stopped that arrangement. We had a piano in our hall and it was always an elderly person that would play. I guess they were starting to find that the experienced players were getting to old and there was no one to replace them.
It makes sense that as they are desperately seeking suitable men to take on the role of public speakers they will be left to substitute many talks with taped recordings. The taped music had more instruments playing and were probably considered superior, so too, the taped talks may be made with men who are better speakers but it lacks the most important qualities, one of which is that personal and human touch.