OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 10

OVER THE AIR

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

SOME PROGRAMMES CONSIDERED

[By LISTENER! It can’t be done. I have been trying to get inspiration for these notes from the community sing, but this musical revelling has beaten me; Mr Alan Brown’s jokes are too diverting (specially the one about Slim Summerville and Mae West), and the auctioneering voice of Mr Alan Matson has almost been forcing me to bid for oatmeal, sucking pigs, and sausages. So without offence to the gay ones at the Civic Theatre, off goes my set. My week’s activities. I think, may be compared with that engaging pastime of hunting for pearls among unpromising heaps of oyster shells. In other words, L have been listening attentively and remorselessly for a week in the hope of iinaing items on the national programmes that pleased me. And, before I give an account of my adventures, I should like to thank the correspondent to “The Press” who replied to Miss Bessie Pollard’s letter for me. Last week I made some critical observations on the 3YA orchestra’s performance of Mozart music; Miss Pollard, who was the solo pianist on the occasion, affirmed later in “The Press” that I did not know how Mozart should be played. However, my defending correspondent countered with valid statement that the listener outside the studio was a better judge of the performance than the soloist inside. In passing, I must mention that I always try to listen when Miss Pollard is on the air, because she is a stimulating pianist. She has given me a great deal of pleasure in the past, and as far as I am concerned, her appearances at 3YA could be much more frequent. Now, I must give an account of those pearls I found among the oyster shells. At present there are two musicians on tour for the National Broadcasting Service: Mr Edmund Kurtz (’cellist) and Miss Jessie King (mezzo-contralto). Neither of them L a stranger to Christchurch, and the return of both is welcome. Good ’cello playing is always pleasant to hear, if only because one so rarely hears the instrument played well. The industrious amateur ’cellist is far too often a nobly-intentioned but unskilful person who makes a hobby of sawing-off pieces of music. These performances are revolting, distracting, infuriating. But Mr Kurtz restores my faith in the beautiful instrument; be is an artist who gives us throbbing melody. On Wednesday evening at 3YA he played a short mixed programme, and of his numk? r , s *'.^ e d best "Allegro Appasionata ’ (Saint Saens), but the popular pick would probably have been "The Bee” (Francois Schubert). This trifle gave him an opportunity to show his skill with the bow, but it called upon dexterity rather than interpretative talent. On the whole, however, I preferred the programme of French music which was broadcast from Dunedin in the previous week. In writing of Mr Kurtz, mention must also be made of Mr Noel Newson, whose piano accomnaniments blended so perfectly into the pattern of the solo music. Miss Jessie King There is not much need to write of the excellent quality of Miss Jessie King s voice. To my mind one of the most delightful features of her recitals is the freshness and novelty of her programmes. On Monday evening from 3YA there was a group of Greig’s songs, this'being followed on Wednesday by seven of Dvorak’s "Gipsy Songs. These were unusual offerings, and listeners should be grateful to Miss King for introducing them to music they have probably not heard before. The same originality was shown in the recital from 3YA on May 28, when Misa King sang “Five Songs from the Japanese,” by Dudley Glass. For me, then, these were two pearls among the shells, but, strangely enough, there were others, too. Miss King’s recital from 3YA on Monday was followed by a recording of the Lener String quartet playing “Quartet in G Minor,” by Debussy. Often enough Debussy scraps are heard from the national stations, but it is a considerable time since I heard one of his major works on the air. I find it a refreshing experience to listen to Debussy. He always seems to border on harmonic licentiousness, but he never falls into the pit. The playing of these records was preceded by some spoken annotations which may have helped a little. However, the announcers give out such annotations so spiritlessly that I doubt whether listeners bother much about them. In providing listeners with information, which it must be presumed is inaccessible to them, there is no call to distribute the largesse of knowledge with so little animation. Mr Kurtz’s recital on Wednesday was followed also by an excellent recording of Schnabel playing Beethoven’s No. 5 Concerto, with the London Symphony Orchestra. Then there are two other pearls to be mentioned. They were discovered on a 2YA programme last Monday. The first was a recital of Peter Warlock’s songs, by Parry Jones. There appears to be interest in Warlock now, and his music certainly deserves this somewhat delayed attention. I think, however, that the National Broadcasting Service, when it is launching a modern composer like Warlock, should make an effort to assemble a little information about him and pass it on to the public. Peter Warlock has been dead several years now, and at least one biography of him has been written so there should be no difficulty in obtaining the necessary information. The only announcement given is that the songs are by Warlock, and the majority of listeners, therefore, have no means of knowing whether the composer lived two or 80 years ago. Of course, it may be said that such detail is irrelevant, but there is a distinctive tang about Warlock’s work that I think most listeners would be anxious to know who and what he was. Musical Opportunities I know that it is going back to an old subject, but the news that Arthur Rubinstein, the famous pianist, has been engaged by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for a tour in August reminds me that so far there has been no announcement, that the National Broadcasting Service has attempted to attract Lotte Lehmann or the Budapest String Quartet to New Zealand. The tour of Miss Lehmann and these internationally renowned instrumentalists has been a remarkable success in Australia, and I' can see no reason why an enterprising effort should not be made to bring them over here. Then, as I mentioned a week or two ago, Lawrence Tibbett is also coming to Australia. A fortnight has passed since I offered the National Broadcasting Service free use of an idea that would enable a,profit to be made from such tours, but, as I suspected, the gentlemen in Featherston street want no idea that has not germinated in their own skulls. I do not propose to let the cat out of the bag here, because I feel sure that they would accept my plan and then say that they had been thinking of it all the time themselves. No. The only chance of getting it is for the National Broadcasting Service to send me a stamped envelope. Two Playa Next week there are two plays on national programmes which should be worth listening to. The first which

BROADCASTING

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.; Chimes. Report on cricket match. New Zealand v. Northamptonshire. at Northampton. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report of play in the above macth. 10.0; Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 10.30: Time signals. 10.32: Selected recordings. 11.30; Relay from Addington, running commentary on Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: Special week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Riddleman. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0; News and reports. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0; Chimes. Recordings: The London Palladium Orchestra, “Selection of Operatic Gems” (arr. Forbes). 8.10: Peter Dawson (bass-bari-tone). 8.13: Jack Wilson (pianoforte). 8.24: Jack Richards and Winifred Dunk (talking and singing) (a) “Weddings”; (b) “How’s Your Cousin?” (Rickards). 8.30; Kurt Engel (xylophone). 8.36: Recording: Frank Titterton (tenor). 8.40: 3YA Orchestra, conducted by Gil Dech, selection from “Good-night, Vienna” (Posford). 8.48: Recording; Zonophone Minstrels (singing and patter), “The White Blackbirds.” 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: 3YA Orchestra. 9.14: Jock Lockhart (comedian). 9.20: Recording: Light Opera Company, “The White Horse Inn” vocal gems (Stolz). 9.28; 3YA Orchestra. 9.34: Jock Lockhart (comedian). 9.39: Recording: Soprano with Orchestra. “One Night of Loye Memories.” 9.48: 3YA Orchestra. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.: Relay from Rugby Park, running commentary on Merlvale v. Athletic match. 5.0: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0; Symphonic programme. 10.0: Half an hour of humour and light music. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report of play In the cricket match. New Zealand v. Northamptonshire. at Northampton. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0; Report of play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.0: Devotional service, conducted by Rev. J. Laird. 10.15: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Running commentary on the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting at Ellerslie. 1.0 p.m.: District week-end weather forecast. 3.15-4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Cinderella. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Talk: The Gardening Expert, “Seasonal Work for June.” 8.0: Concert programme. Theo Halpin and Winifred Cooke (duo for two pianos). Concert Paraphrase on “The Blue Danube;” Waltzes by Strauss (Schultz, Evler. Brassini. 8.10; Lambert Harvey (tenor). 8.23; Recordings: Pablo Casals (’cello). 8,36; Nancye O'Connor (soprano). 8.48; Recordings; The Littie Salon Orchestra; Two Fantasies. “The Dwarfs' Patrol" (Rathke); "Cupid’s Parade” (Rlvelll): "Springtime in the Forest” (Rimmer). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation of dance music. Alternative station, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.; Running commentary o-i Rugby football match relayed from Eden Park. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music 8.0: Gems from musical comedy, with interludes of humour. 9.0: "Visiting America.” A continuity programme. 10.0: Light instrumental music and humour. 2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.; Chimes. Report of play In’the cricket match. New Zealand v. Northamptonshire. at Northampton. 7.5: (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0; Further report of play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Further report of play in the above cricket match. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.30; Time signals from the Dominion Observatory. Devotional service. 12 noon; Lunch music. 2.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 3.0: Running commentary on play in the Rugby football match (relayed from Athletic Park). Annuoncer: Mr C. Lamberg. 4.0: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0; News and reports. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0: Chimes. Popular programme. Debroy Somers Band, "Theatre Memories, No. 1: The Gaiety.” 8.10: Evelyn Davies (soprano). 8.19: Harry Robbins (xylophone), and his Redbreasts, "Chicken Reel” (Daly). 8.22: The Two Leslies (Leslie Sarony and Leslie Holmes) (comedy vocal). 8.25: Roy Smeck and his Hawaiian Serenaders. 8.28: J. E. Davies (tenor). 8.34: Recordings: The International Novelty Orchestra. “Mickey Mouse’s Birthday Party” (Tobais, Meyer). 8.37: Evelyn and J. E. Davies (vocal duet). 8.40: Recordings: Nelson Keys and Ivy St. Helier (imitations). 8.46; Harry Robbins (xylophone), and his Redbreasts, “I’m Just Wild About Harry” (Slssle, Blake). 8.49; Jack Richards and Winifred Dunk (humorous sketch). 8.52: Brian Lawrence and his Lansdowne Sextet, "At the Lansdowne” Medley. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Old-time dance music by the 2YA Old-time Dance Orchestra, conducted by Frank Crowther. M.C.: Vincent Ryan. Vocalist: Les Stapp. 10.0: s P°rts summary. 10.10: Continuation of old-time dance programme. Alternative station. 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0; After-dinner music. 8.0: Classical recital programme. Introducing solo and concerted vocal and instrumental recordings. 9.0: Variety and vaudeville programme. 10.0; Thirty bright minutes. 4VA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report of play In the cricket match. New Zealand v. Northamptonshire. at Northampton. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.15: Devotional service. 12 noon; Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: District week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.45: Running commentary on senior football match (relay from Carisbrook). 4.30 (approx.): Sports results. Selected recordings. 5.0: Children’s hour, conducted by Cousin Molly. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. A light orchestral and ballad concert. 4YA Concert Orchestra, "Americana” Suite (Thurban). 8.9: Leslie J. Dunbar (baritone). 8.15: The Orchestra: Two light pieces, (1) "Pierrette by the Stream” (Ewing); (2) ‘‘Omaha’’ intermezzo (Wood). 8.23. Jean McLay (contralto). 8.32: The Orchestra, selection from the "Desert Song” (Romberg). 8.42; Leslie J. Dunbar (baritone). 8.48: The Orchestra, "Love Sends a Little Gift of Roses” (Openshaw); “The Sunshine of Your Smile” (Ray): “Play of the Waves” (Robrecht). 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Dance music. 10.0: Sports summary. 10 10: Dance music. Alternative station, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.; Light musical programme. 5.0: Selected recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0; Variety and vaudeville programme. 9.0: Band programme, with spoken and instrumental interludes. 10.0: Comedy and light music.

will be broadcast from 2YA on Wednesday evening, is “Not Without Honour,” the play which won second prize in the competition conducted last year by the National Broadcasting Service. The second will come from 3YA on Thursday evening. It is “Galapagos,” a dramatic description of the disaster which befell the Norwegian barque Alexander. Properly speaking, “Galapagos” is not a play, but it has the quality of good drama. Reading and Music Mr d’Arcy Cresswell has been winning deserved praise for the quiet hour feature which he broadcasts from IYA on Friday evening between 8 and 9 o’clock. He merely reads to his audience and plays records which fit in with the pieces he chooses for reading. Last week, for example, he read passages from “The Arabian Nights,” "Marco Polo’s Travels,” and Matthew Arnold’s “Sohrab and Rustum.” The accompanying music has an Eastern savour, being chosen from Rimsky Korsakov, Borodin, and Tschaikowsky, The National Broadcasting Service should seek companions for Mr Cresswell in the other centres.

DAVENTRY. ENGLAND GSG. 16.86 metres; GSO, 18.76 metres; GSB.. 31.55 metres. 3.30 p.m.: Big Ben. "London Log.” by Walter Fitzgerald. 3,40: "Stop Dancing. A programme of very light music. Arranged by James Moody, and played by George Allsop, James Moody, James Regan, David Curry, Frank Rea, and Percy Waterhouse With vocal numbers by "Three in Harmony” and James, Johnston Presentation. Edward Wilkinson. 4.10. A recital by William Murdoch (Australian pianist) 4.40: of E T^ b , j 6 r por-ee talk by the Rt. Hon. David Lloyd George. M P 4.55: The news and announcements. 5.15: "John Londoner at Home 22. An evening with some of his many and various acquaintances. Presented by Pas coe Thornton. 5.45: Close down. SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on the cricket match. New Zealand v. Derbyshire, played at Derby. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the f b ° v 5 cricket match. 10.5 (approx.); Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Knox Presbyterian Church. Preacher, Rev. T. W. Armour, organist, Miss V. Butler, choirmaster, Mr A. G. Thompson. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0: Recording: Wilhelm Kempff (pianoforte). Sonata in A Flat Major,. Op. 26 (Beethoven). 3.20. Selected recordings. 3.30; Time signals. 3.32: Selected recordings. 5.30; Childrens song service, conducted by Rev. J. T. McWilliam, and the children of St. Johns Choir. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30; Relay of evening service from St. Mary s Anglican Church. Preacher. Ven. Archdeacon Warren, organist and choirmaster, Mr Alfred Worsley. 8.0; Selected recordings. 8.30; Presentation of complete recorded opera, "Valkyrie” (Wagner). Alternative station, 3YL. 6.0 p.m.; Selected recordings. 8.30: Miscellaneous recital programme. IYA, AUCKLAND 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Derbyshire, at Derby. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Further selected recordings. 11.0: Morning service, relayed from the Epsom Methodist Church, Preacher, Rev. E. D. Patchett, organist, Mr R. J. Morris. 2.0 p.m.; Selected recordings. 3.30; Berlin State Opera House Orchestra, “Battle" Symphony. Op. 91 (Beethoven). 3.46; Selected recordings. 6.0: Children’s song service. 7.0; Evening service, relayed from St. David's Presbyterian Church. Preacher, Rev. W. Bower Black, organist. Mr E. S. Craston. choirmaster, Mr L. C. Barnes. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: Relay from the Auckland Town Hall of a concert by the Auckland Municipal Band. Conductor, Mr T. J. O’Connor. With vocal interludes by Mrs Hal. McLennan (soprano). Alternative station. IYX. 6.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 8.30: Band programme, with vocal interludes. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on the cricket match. New Zealand v. Derbyshire, at Derby. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0: Further report on the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Continuation of selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Wesley Methodist Church, Taranaki street. Preacher, Rev. Percy Paris, organist and choirmaster, Mr H. Temple White. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner session. 2.0: Leon Zlghera, with Orchestra, conducted by Anthony Bernara, Concerto No. 2 In E Major (Bach). 3.30: Time signals. 6.0: Children’s song service, conducted by Uncle William, assisted by the children from Karori Methodist Church. 7.0; Relay of evening service from St. Paul’s Anglican Church. Preacher, Rev, Gordon McKenzie, 8.A., organist, Mr B Withers, choirmaster, Mr Burner Steers. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30; Concert programme. A piano recital by Professor Wilhelm Kempff. 8.45: Evelyn Davies (soprano) presents a group of Schubert songs. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Edmund Kurtz, eminent Russian 'cellist, with Noel Newson at the piano. 9.30: A Brahms presentation by Alexander Kipnls (bass). 9.4 C: Albert Schweitzer in a recital of organ music by J. S. Bcch. Alternative station, 2YC. 6.0 p.m,: Selected recordings. A recital of concerted vocal Items, with instrumental Interludes. 4YA, DUNEDIN 9.0 a.m.: Chimes. Report on the cricket match. New Zealand v. Derbyshire, played at Derby. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0; Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of service from Moray Place Congregational Church. Prea-

cher Rev. A. Mead. M.A., organist, Mrs Hi C. Campbell. 1.0 p.m: District weather forecast. Dinner music. 2.0. Selected recordings. 5.30: Children’s song service. conducted by Big Brother Bill. 6.15. be lected recordings. 6.45; Re^° f . SpJeafrom the Salvation Army Citadel. Prea cher. Adjutant Victor Dick, conductor, Mr A. Millard. 8.0: Selected recordings. 8.30: Music of Northern Lands. Sym phony Orchestra, conducted by Robert Kajanus. Symphony No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 39 (Sibelius). 9.6: Weather report and station notices. 9.11: Jessie * an i°F Australian mezzo-contralto. London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Landon Ronald. 9.34: Leopold Godowsky (piano), Ballade, Op. 24 (Gneg). 9 50 - The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Georg Schneevolgt Alternative station, 4YO. 6.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: Band programme, with spoken, vocal, and instrumental interludes. DAVENTRY. ENGLAND GSG, 16.86 metres: GSO.. 18.76 metres; GSB.. 31.55 metres. 3 p.m.: Big Ben. Scenes from "As You Like It,” by William Shakespeare. Production by Howard Rose. 3.35: A recital of music for two pianofortes. Geraldine and Mary Peppin. 3 55: A children’s service from Dr. Barnardo’s Boys Garden City Church, Woodford Bridge, Essex. 4.20: Weekly newsletter, sports summary, and announcements. 4.45: A recital of Grieg s songs, Leonie Zifaldo (soprano). 5.5: Cricket: Derbyshire v. New Zealand. An account of the first day’s play, from Derby 5.15; Close down. OVERSEA RECEPTION NOTES [Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association.] Australian stations now operating on new frequencies are: 2CR Cumnock, 10,000 watts, 550 kilocycles; 3SH Swan Hill, 1330 kilocycles, 100 watts; SMU Murray Bridge, 1450 kilocycles, 200 watts; 4WK Warwick, 1340 kilocycles, 50 watts; 4ZR Roma, 1450 kilocycles, 100 watts. Stations with increased power are: WTAG Worcester, Massachusetts, 580 kilocycles, 1000 watts; CRCV Vancouver, 1100 kilocycles, 5000 watts; KRSC Seattle, Washington, 1120 kilocycles, 250 watts; KRRV Sherman, Texas, 1310 kilocycles, 250 watts; WBIG Greensboro. North Carolina, 1440 kilocycles, 1000 watts; 2RG Griffith, 1470 kilocycles, 100 watts. MELHUISH and CO. Readjust your Radio in your own home, 3s 6d; Lyttelton, 5s 6d. Use ’phone 41-508. 6541