OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21470, 11 May 1935, Page 9

OVER THE AIR

[By AUI.EIi:]

Mr Sydney A. . Moseley, English radio critic, is a very interesting fellow. : Here follows brief career. In .1910 he is a London journalist on the staff of the "Daily Express." A year or so after he writes a book, "The Truth about Kitchener." Shortly afterwards he is telling the British public the Truth about the Dardanelles. Next he tells the Truth about Borstal. He has written books explaining exactly how fortunes may be made by (a) short story writing, (b) investing money wisely. 1-Ie was the first English radio critic. His recreations consist of singing, swimming, travelling, golf, speculating. It will be realised that Sydney Moseley is a man of varied tastes anpl interests. And now he lias written a book called "Broadcasting in my Time."* An absorbing book from my own point of .view, because it deals to some extent with Moseley's early struggles with the British Broadcasting Corporation. But how much more exciting are Moseley's struggles for better programmes and brighter policies than my own! - -In reading through "Broadcasting in,nry Time" the difference -will easily be seen. I, after a frugal luncheon of a glass of milk and a water biscuit, walk round .to 3YA (occasionally) perhaps to ".point out some hideous artistic crime perpetrated by our local broadcasting authorities. Am I received with open arms and panting hearts by the staff? Does the lift boy spring to attention and salute me with a glad smile? Does the programme director hum a snatch of happy song when my arrival is announced? ■ Sadly, I have to admit it. -No. - ; But Moseley. Ah, Moseley! He also was a lone radio critic. It is a mere nothing for him to receive an urgent SOS. from the British Broadcasting Corporation. He leaves off his own work of Telimg the Truth about Something,, takes a cab and is rushed round to' Broad-; casting House. There he finds the broadcasting chiefs disconsolate. "This menus war to the end, Sydney," they tell him, "unless you can stop it!" Sydney grasps the situation in an instant. He ha Us another cab. He rushes round to see Isidor Ostrer at his Park Lane flat, or Lord Ampthill, or George Black, or Gracie Fields. "Give the British Broadcasting Corporation more time," he urges. "If you refuse, it mean:: war! And there are larger interests at stake than you know!" "Let it be war!" they fling bad: at Sydney. Is Sydney dismayed? Not for an instant. Within 2a minutes he has settled matters. He hails a third cab. He return* to Broadcasting House. r r e gives haggard chiefs the great IH.'.'/S. "Gracie Fields and the others will broadcast!" he announces. And as Sydney himself says diffidently, "the geneva! r.asp of relief might have-been heard all over the British Isles!'' Now that is certainly the stuff to give them. Wnuld'nt it be wonderful, my readers, if I were able to recount week after week how MiHands chartered a special aeroplane and flew down from Wellington, and landing at Sockburn rushed round Christchurch looking for me. "Ariel." he would gasp, "Professor Boodger has refused to speak at 7.45 this evening on the Ultimate Structure of Household Sponges! I am a ruined man!" "Leave it to me, old man," I would reply calmly. "Leave it to me." Imagine my startling interview with the great Professor Boodger! "Professor," I would say, pleadingly. "What is a mere 10 guineas or so compared with the Ultimate Structure of Household Sponges? Remember, Professor, the people of New Zealand depend upon you! Think of the thousands of tiny tots in their scattered homes all over New Zealand, asking their mothers at this very instant: 'Mummy, when will Pwofessor Boodger talk?' Think of the strong men . who have postponed filling up their income tax schedules, until they have heard those honeyed words of hope for the future of Household Sponges from your own lips! Think of the women! Think of the —!" Then imagine Professor Boodger! Stern, immobile, decision fixed »(»!. to broadcast. And then Ariel's last trump card, played unhesitatingly. "Very well, Professor. If you are adamant, then I will make arrangements for Dr. Gloom to give his wellknown talk on the Sperm Whale through the Ages!" The professor pales. "Not Dr. Gloom!" he gasps. "Dr. Gloom," I reply firmly. And the battle is over. Professor Boodger agrees to talk. I rush round to Mr Hands, and find him pacing the floor anxiously, his arms folded before him, his hat over his brows. "Fixed it, my boy!" I shout exuitingly. Sydney Moseley regards an incident such as this as being all in the day's work. But alas! To Ariel it h but a happy dream of what might be. Ah, well; let us return to Mr Moseley. The author lias now ceased to be a radio critic, and is at present actively engaged in the JJaird System of Television. He writes that at last he ceases to be roused to impotent fury by the crude patter of buffoons masquerading as comedians, or the cheap cynicism of insufferable young bores, paid by the 8.8.C. as actors and actresses in plays as meaningless as their own lines. At last he can listen with care-free enjoyment to a great deal that is worth hearing and worth broadcasting, and he can share the immense privilege of —switching off! He tells how Gladstone Murray —the 8.8.C. liaison officer with the British press—assured radio critics that the 8.8.C. attached a great deal of importance to their views, that radio c;ritics were specially qualified to be independant judges of British radio. He tells how Murray begged the critics to criticise as hard and as long as possible, telling them that everybody engaged at Broadcasting House rushed for the morning papers to see what the critics had to say. ;; One very interesting chapter deals with the future of the British Broadcasting Corporation. Moseley considers that th" 8.8.C. should ultimately be controlled by a government department, and suggests the

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

Post Office; and also favours the setting up. of an influential advisory committee with great powers. In other words, Moseley's ultimate conception of the 8.8.C.'s constitution is by control somewhat similar to that obtaining under the New Zealand system. He bewails the fact that the present Board iof Governors of the 8.8.C. consists of some who have often completed their publie service and have been "awarded", seats on the board as recognition of such service. There is in Mr Moseley's book an interesting chapter on "Education versus Entertainment." The children's hour has in England always been appreciated by children and grown-ups alike. As far back as 1924 in Birmingham alone, a special radio circle grew over-night to more than 10,000 children! There was a mysterious being named Uncle Humpty Dumpty, who, according to rumour, was wrapped up in cotton wool so that he might come before .the microphone, and was only kept from falling off his stool while speaking to the children by various friends, including an elephant. And now, when the children hear "The Zoo Man" and listen to his treasures of natural history, they never dream that the speaker is a highly scientific curator at the London Zoological Gardens! Similarly, one of their most popular "Aunts" introduces the children to Chopin, Brahms, Beethoven, and other masters. Plays such as "Alice in Wonderland" ar6 given during the children's hour. It is realised in England that the child is father to the man; that, however wonderful adult programmes are, if the children's hour is not in keeping with the rest of the performances, then radio will ultimately inevitably decline. A very interesting' book, is "Broadcasting in my Time." "'Broadcasting in My Time. By Sydney A. Moselcy. Rich arid Cowan. 241 pp. ((!/- net.) Through Whitcombe and Toin|)s, Ltd. BROADCASTING TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES 3VA. CHRISTCIIUKCII (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 lo 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 10.30: Time pinna's from the Dominion Observatory. 10.32: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 2 45: Relay from Lancaster Park ol Rugby fixture. 5.0: Children's hour. 5.45: Rebroadcasi from Empire Station —an electrical recording of a speech by Mr Rudyard Kipling, following a banquet of the Royal Society of St. George. 8.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Ne\vs and reports. 7.30: Time signals lrom the Dominion Observatory. 8.0: Chimes: Concert by the Christcluirch Male Voice Choir, assisted by the Cathedral Choristers. Conductor:. Dr. JC. Bradshaw: accompansi: Mr Noel Newson, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M. The Choir's items include: "Give a Rouse" (Granville Bantock); "Here's a Health Unto His Majesty" (S. Gregory Ould); "Viking Song" 'Julius Harrison); "The Sailors' Song" < Halle;))'): "Now it is Time to Go" (Baclw; "Hushed i:i Death" (Henry Hiles): "Now is the Month of May" (Morley.K "Land of Hope and Glory" (Elgar); "Where the Bee Sucks" '( Handel!: "Cruiskcen Lawn" (Old Irish); "Laughing" (HatJon;; "Evening" (Abt). Cathedral Choristers' items: "Let the Bright Seraphim": "Where'er You Walk" dlandel); Quartette, "The Mad Dog" (Parry) Choir soloists: Mr R. Lake (baritone p\id Mr Ernst Rogers (tenor). Assisting artiste: Mrs F. S. Grant (violiniste). (Relayed from the Radiant Hall). 9.0 (approx.): Weather forecast and station notices'. 9.5: Waller Kingslcy. eminent English baritone. "Four Songs of Norsland." (a) My Ships went aSailing; <b) Love is an Ocean: <c) Time was I Roved the Mountains; <d) Youth Has a Happy Tread (Lohr). 9.15 (approx.): Resumption of relay from Radiant Hall of concert by the Christehurch Male Voice Choir. 10.0 (approx.): Sports summary. 10.15 to 11.15: Dance music. Alternative programme. 3YL, 1200 kilocycles, 2.30 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0 lo 0.0: Light musical programme. 7.0: Afterdinner music. 8.0: Symphonic programme, featuring at 8.32 p.m.: Brahms's Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15, played by Wilhelm Backhaus (piano) and the 8.8.C. Symphony Orchestra. At 9.15 p.m.: "Eight Russian Fairy Tales" (LiadofT). played by the London Symphony Orchestra. And at 9.27 p.m.: The Orcheslre Symphonique, playing Stravinsky's "Fire Bird." IYA, AUCKLAND (050 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Devotional service, conducted by Rev. li. Bond James. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.0: Relay ot Rugby football from Eden Park. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. (i.O: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Talk, The Gardening Expert, "Some New Worthwhile Plants." 8.0: Concert programme. Recitals by British Artists. London Palladium Orchestra, "Blue Devils" March (Williams). 8.5: Tenor, Browning Mummery, "Flower Song" (Bizet); "No, Pagliacci, No More" (Leoncavallo); "The Bitterness of Love" (Dunn); "Ah, Though the Silver Moon Were Mine" (Lohr). 8.20: Eileen Joyce (pianiste), "La Dnn.se d'Olaf" (Pick-Mangiagalli); "Si Oiseau J'Etais. a Toi je Volerai" (Henselt); "En Route" (Concert Study) (Palmgrcm); Waltz from "Faust" (Gounod); Prelude in G Minor (Rachmaninoff). 8.30: Florence Austral (soprano). "Ocean, Thou Mighty Monster" (Weber); "Ogni Sabato Averete II Lumc Acceso" (Gordigiani); "The Betrothal," Op. 74. No. 1(3 (Chopin). 8.50: Arthur Catlerall (violinist). Caprice No. 13 (Paganini); Menuet in D (Mozart); "Chanson de Nuit" (Elgar). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: "Superstition," a dramatic presentation dealing with the fallacious superstition that bad luck follows when a person turns his cap backwards on his head. 9.31: ICalama's Quartet (Hawaiian), "Tu-tu-c, Tu-tu-hoi" (Traditional): "That Aloha Waltz" (Noble). 0.:i(i: Abroad with the Lockharts. 9.44: The Minstrel Singers, "Minstrel Memories.'' 9.52: Heinz Huppcrtz (violin), "Moss Rose" (Rose). 9.55: Orchestra Maseotle, "Dreaming Bells" (Krome); "A Waltz for You" (Meisel). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative programme, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner ' music. 8.0: 8.8.C. recorded programme. "Seven Days' Simshine," a musical cruise. S'.O: "Coming and Going," featuring "A Ramble Through the Atlas, m Music and Story." 2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Chimes. Selected recordings. 10.30: Time signal from Dominion Observatory. Devotional service. 11.0: Selected recordings. 11.15: Talk prepared by the Home Science Extension Service of Otago University. 12 noon: Lunch mpsic. 2.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 3.0: Rugby football commentary, relayed from Athletic Park. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Time sig-

nals from Dominion Observatory. 8.0: Chimes. A British Vaudeville programme. Ambrose and his Orchestra, j A Selection from Walt Disney's Silly ] Symphonies (arr. Ronnie Munro). 8.6: Frank Titterton, tenor, "You, Me and ; You" (Connor. Stolz); "My Heart is Always Calling You" (Pepper, Stolz). ; 8.12: Billy Reid and his Accordion j Band. "I Only Have Eyes for You" (Dubin. Warren); "My Heart Was Sleeping" (Kennedy). 8.18: Florence Desmond, soprano, "Be Yourself'; j "Kiss Me, Dear" (Ellis). 8.24: George Panton, guitar, with orchestra, with Edgar Jackson and his Sweet Harmony, "Stay as Sweet as You Are" (Gordbn); "Dust on the Moon" (Wal- j ker). 8.30: Elsie and Doris Waters, j comedy vocal, "The Seaside Band" (Blain): "The Cuckoo in the' Nest" (Seivier. Norton). 8.36: Ivor Moreton and Dave Kaye, piano duets, "Nola" (Arndt): "Polly" (Zamcnik); "Kitten on the Keys" (Confrey); "Russian Rag" (Cobb). 8.42: A 1 Bowely, light vocal, "Be Still. My Heart"(Flynn). 8.45: Howard Jacobs, saxophone, "Schoil Rosmarin": "Liebesfreud" (Kreisler). 8.51: Vine and More, duettists, "Taught Her How to Play" (Le Clerq). 8.54: Ambrose and his Orchestra, "When the Day is Done" (de Sylva). 9.0: •Weather report and station notices. 9,5: Modern dance programme. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation of dance programme. Alternativeprogramme, 2YC. 840 kilocycles, 5.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Programme Continental Male Voice Choirs. 9.0: "Clown and Comedians," an hour of popular recordings. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 to 8.30 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 2.0 ''p.m.: Selected 2-e----cordings. 2.45: Relay from Carisbrook, running commentary on Rugby football match. 5.0: Children's hour. 0.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. The Concert Orchestra, conducted by M. B. L. H. de Rose, Selection, "Sounds of England" (Langey). 8.10: Mr Evans S. Tuckwell, baritone, "The Yeomen of England"; "Roiling Down to Rio" (German); "Trooper Johnny Ludlow" (Temple); "The Admiral's' Broom" (Bevan). 8.23: The Orchestra, "Highland Laddies" (Seredy); "Three Irish Pictures" (Ansell). 8.38: Miss Dorothy Stentiford, contralto. "Johneen" (Stanford); "Sunset" (Dudley Buck); "John Anderson. My Jo" (arr. Lees): "Comin' Thru' the Rye." 8.51: The Orchestra, "Minature" Suite (Coates); March "The Champion" (Graham). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative programme, 4YO. 1140 kilocycles, 3.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Selected recordings. . 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Popular programme. 9.0: Band programme, with spoken interludes. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND G.S.D., 25.53 metres; G. 5.8., 31.55 metres. New Zealand standard time. 4.45 p.m.: Big Ben, "Meet the Detectives of Fiction." "Meet Max Carrados:." the blind detective, presented by his creator, Ernest Bramah. 5.0: Manfovani and his Tipica Orchestra, "Valse Estudiantina" (Waldteufel). Tango. "Mon Amour" (Paolita). "Russian Melody and Dance" (Mantovania) and other Continental melodies. Greenwich time signal at 5.45. SUNDAY 3YA. CHRISTCHLRCH 9 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0' Relay of morning service from Holy Trinity Church. Avonside. Preacher: Rev. W. J. Hands. Organist and choirmaster: Mr C. F. Browne. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings, 3.0: Recording, Bentio Moisevitch (pianoforte), Variations and Fugue on a Theme by Hanel (Brahms). 3.24: Selected recordings. 3.30: Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. 3.32: Selected recordings. 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by the children of the Salvation Army. C.15: Selected recordings. 7.0: Relay of evening- meeting from the Salvation Armv Citadel. Snc-aker: Major W. Midcilrmi.'s. 8.15: Selected recordings 8.30: Recording, The State Opera Orchestra. Berlin. "William Tell" Overture (Rossini). 8.44: Madame BcttsVincent (pianoforte recital with brief comments by the preformcr). 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.5: Mr John Robertson (the New Zealand cornet player), <u) "Grand Russian Fantasy" tLevy); (b) "O Promise Me" (de Koven); <c) "Homing" (Del Rigo'i; (d) "Serenade" (Schubert). 9.20: Recording, Milan Symphony Orchestra, "Pagliacci" Intermezzo 1 Leoncavallo). 9.24: Madame Winnie Fraser (soprano), "The Town" (Schubert); "Silent Love" (Hugo Wolf); "Oh! Death, How Bitter Thou Art" (Brahms); "When You are Old" (Bridge). 9.30: Recordings, Pablo Casals ('cello), "Largo" (Vivaldi); "Gavotte" (Valentine); "Tondilla" (de jLascma); "Song Without Words in D, Op. 109" (Mendelssohn). 9.46': Beniamino Gigli (tenor recital), "Chanson ! Indoue" (Rimsky-KorsakofT): "Triste Maggio" (de Crescenzo); "Serenata" (Schubert). 9.50: The Orchestra of the Berlin State Opera House, "Coronation" March ("Le Prophete") (Mayerbeer). Alternative programme, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 0 p.m.: Selected recording's. 8.30: Symphonic programme, IYA, AUCKLAND 9 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Mount Eden Congregational Church. Preacher: Rev. Frank, de Lisle. Organist: Miss Ella Postles. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.30: Arthur Schnabcl. pianist, presents Sonata in B Flat Major, Op. 22: (Beethoven). C.O: Children's song service. 7.0: Relay of evening service from St. Andrew's Presbyternan Church. Preacher: Rev. Gladstone liugh.es. Organist: Dr. Neil McDougall. 8.30: Concot programme, the Studio Orchestra, "Slavonic Rhapsody," No. 1 (■Dvorak). 8.40: Violin, Efrem Zimbalist, "Ave Maria" (SchubertWilhelm). 8.44: Madame Margaret Mercer, contralto, with orchestral accompaniment, "Softly Awakes My Heart" (Saint Saens); "Ye Powers that Dwell Below" (Gluck); Recit, "Armida de Spietata": Aria. "Lascia Ch'ia Pianga" (Handel). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Miss Dora Judson, solo pianiste. and the Studio Orchestra present Beethoven's Concerto in C Major. 9.42: Tenor, Ober- | cantor Hermann Fleisehmann. "Toras I I-laschem T'Mimoh"; "Jaaleh" (Lewandowsk.y). 9,50: The Studio Orchestra. Suite, "Gavotte" (Saint Saens). Alternative programme, IYX, 880 kilocycles. (5 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: Six short recitals, featuring: I.eipsig Male Choir. Edwin Fischer (pianist), St. George's Singers, Pablo Casals ('cellist), Great Western Railway Swindon Stall' Gleemen, and Alfred Sittard (organist). 2YA. WELLINGTON 9 a.m.: Chimes. Selected recordings. II.0: Relay of morning service from St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church. i Preacher: Rev. J. S. Murry. Organ- ! ist and Choirmaster: Mr Frank Thomas. 1 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: "Carnival Suite No. 9" (Schumann). London Symphony Orchestra. 3.30: Time signals from Dominion Observatory. (5.0: Children's song service, conductpd by Uncle William, and assisted by the. children's choir from the Wadestown Presbyterian Church. 7.0: Relay of evening service from Taranaki Street Mcthcdist Church. Preacher: Rev. P. R. Paris. Organist and Choirmaster: Mr H. Temple-White. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: Operatic programme. Grand Opera Orchestra of Milan. "The Daughter of the Regiment" Overture (Donizetti). 8.40: Toti Dal Monte (soprano), "Ah! Non Credea Mirarti" "Could I Believe?") (Bellini). 8.44: David Wise (violin i with orchestra), "Siciliana" from "Cavalleria Rusticana" (Mascaghi). 1 3.47: Bcniamino Gigli (tenor) and Guiseppe de Luca (baritone), duet, "O Mimi, Tu Pui, Non Torni" (Puccini). 8.51: The London Palladium Orchestra, "Verdi Memories" Worch) 9.0: Weather report and station notices 9.5: "Pagliacci," an opera in two acts by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. Alternative programme, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 6 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: "Down South." Songs and melodies from the cotton fields.

4YA, DUNEDIN 9 a.m.: Selected recordings. 11.0: Re-lay of morning service from the Salvation Army Citadel. Preacher: Adjutant Mahaffie; conductor:. Mr A Millard. 1 p.m.: Lunch music. 2.0. Selected recordings. 2.15: Recorded talk by Sir Edmund Gosse, Litt.D., "Thomas Hardy." 2.30: Recording: London Symphony Orchestra, "Wand of Youth" Suite, No. 1 (Elgar). 5.30: Children's song service, conducted oy Big Brother Bill. 0.15: Selected recordings. 0.30: Relay of evening service from St. Paul's Cathedral. Preacher: Dean G. C. Cruickshank, M.A.: organist: Mr E. H. Hey wood. 7.45: Selected recordings. 8.15: An organ recital by Dr. V. Gulway. 9.0: Weather 'report and station notices. 95: Relay from station 3YA, Christchurch, concert programme. Alternative programme. 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8 30: Gems from famous light operas and operettas, by Continental composers. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND G.S.D., 25.53 metres; G. 5.8., 31.55 metres. New Zealand standard time. 4.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Evensong, relayed from York Minster. Vestry Prayer; Organ Voluntary; , Responses; Psalms for the seventh evening; First Lesson; Magnificat (Stanford in F); Second Lesson; Nunc Dimittis (Stanford in F); anthem, "The Lord is My Shepherd" (Schubert). 4.45: Tunes of the times. Earlv French music-—sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth centuries. The 8.8.C. Empire Orchestra. Leader, Daniel Melsa. Conductor, Eric Fogg. Raym.onde Collignon (soprano). Orchestra, Minuet, "Le Bourgeois Gentilhorame" (Lully, arr. Winter). Two pieces for strings: (1) Gavotte; (2) Cibel (Lully, arr. James Brown). Raymonde Collignon, "The Fairest of the Three"; "Songs of Kings" (arr. E. Moulle). Orchestra: Ballet Suite (Rameau, arr. Mottl). Raymonde Collignon: "Paradise"; "Cruel Rose" (arr. Wekerlin). "Love is Blind" (arr. Moulle). Orchestra: "The Favourite" (Coupcrin). "The Harvesters" (Couperin, arr. Esposito). Raymonde Collignon: "When I Was Small"; "One Morning by a Garden-close"; "Joli Tambour" (an-. Guy Wcitz). Orchestra: Ballet Suite. "Cephaleet Procris" (Grctry, arr. Mottl). Greenwich time signal at 5 p.m. 5.45: Weekly newsletter and sports summary. 6.5: Close down. ,