OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22135, 3 July 1937, Page 10

OVER THE AIR

OVER. THE AIR

A .SEARCH FOR NEW TALENT

(By Listener;

One evening last week I had a con-wev-sauon in an eating-house with a ) man who will not mind me describS ing him as "the Caruso of the way- \ backs." As a matter of fact he comes j from one of the small provincial I towns, but he has talent, a singing j talent which is often used on his j native heath. He did not say so in | as many words, but I could set that jhe aspired to sing for radio, and he jdid make a suggestion which I feel lis well worth detailing here. His i complaint is that musicians in the ! smaller centres have never had a i chance to broadcast, nor are they i given a chance to test their broadcasting possibilities. With national stations, established in only the four chief cities, it follows that the inhabitants of those cities are the ones provided with radio opportunities. 'My "wayback Caruso" argues quite logically that there is a likelihood of first-rate musical talent existing in the provincial towns, and he argues further, that the National Broadcasting Service should do something to bring this talent into the glare of day. What he suggests is that qualified representatives of the National Broadcasting Service should tour the provincial towns with testing apparatus, advertise their coming, and then sit down for a few days hearing all who care to come along.

I can see no objection to this idea. The National Broadcasting Service, which cheerfully proposes to establish a conservatorium of music and the spoken arts, should have no hesitation in spending a comparatively small amount of money on a Domin-ion-wide search for talent already existing. After all. people in the smaller towns pay their licence fees; the gifted ones among them should be entitled to their chance to become radio performers, and there is this also to be said in favour of the scheme: the National Broadcasting Service would probably find that even the best of these hidden artists would be pleased to accept engagements at fairly small fees in addition to their travelling expenses.

Local Standards

It has been said often enough that local artists, on the whole, do not reach a high standard in their performances, but generalising criticism of this kind is obviously unfair. We do not yet know what is available in the way of local artists. Judgment must be withheld until the whole field has been combed. While it is

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

pleasant to be told that the National Broadcasting Service, through its conservatorium, proposes to plan for the future, listeners, it so happens, are more concerned with the present. For these reasons I think that a great national talent hunt should begin. Competent testers should be put on the country highways, and I think further, that the National Broadcasting Service might consider conducting competitions. There has always been one for radio plays and for a piece of music. Both had satisfactory results. The prize-winning plays were excellent, and I beard the winning piece of music cordially received by a Wellington audience. Surely it could be possible to conduct a national talks competition, or a singing competition. One thing is dismally certain: new talent will not be found unless it is searched for, and since the National Broadcasting Service claims to be interested in the cultural development of the Dominion, its present duty seems fairly plain to me. Readings and Copyright

Once more I am going to write about the old question of reading broadcasts from National stations, and since what I am going to say is in partial defence of the National Broadcasting Service, there is special reason why it should be recorded. Most listeners agree now that such readings would be a desirable programme feature. I have thought so for months. I suggested readings from the stories of W. W. Jacobs and O. Henry—just to take two examples at random. The National Broadcasting Service, however, has not been unimpressed by the suggestion, but there are some formal difficulties in the way. One of them, at least, I should have thought of myself: that of copyright. The position was explained to me recently by an official of the National Broadcasting Service. Nobody is free to reproduce in any form the writings of authors who have been dead for fewer than 50 years, without payment of fees, and so far it appears that the National Broadcasting Service has not yet been able to make suitable arrangements. In some cases the fees may be heavy, and m others not so heavy. Living authors, however, should be easy enough to deal with. After all, since broadcasting fees could be regarded as a sort of bonus income, they would probably not be too rapacious m their demands. Listeners who have heard Mr D'Arcy Cresswell's reading broadcasts from Auckland on Friday evenings, will have noticed that he is able to avoid copyright troubles by keeping to writers of remote days. It so happens, however, that Mr Cresswell is not greatly embarrassed by this, for his view is that nothing of importance has been written in English since Byron died, and that is more than a century ago. The End of Crooning

It is good to have the assurance of Mr Josef Kaartinen, the Finnish

Coming Features

A Problem Play

saxophonist, who has been broadcasting from 3YA this week, that the days of crooning are numbered. We still hear the crooning gentry on records from the national stations, and most sensitive listeners will have no difficulty in agreeing with Mr Kaartinen that they are appreciated only by people lacking in musical sense. In passing, I should say that Mr Kaartinen's recitals have given me pleasure. The saxophone, although not a first-grade musical instrument, has some possibilities, and in the hands of a master like Mr Kaartinen, those possibilities are fully revealed.

To-morrow evening 2YA will broadcast the first performance in New Zealand of Mr Frank Hutchens's "Concerto for Pianoforte and Orchestra in E Minor." The work, which is in three movements, is the first of its kind to be written by a New Zealander. Mr Hutchens, I believe, is on the staff of the Sydney Conservatorium, and this, apparicntly. is Vus most important com- | position to date. The solo pianist in i this introductory performance is Mr Noel Newson. It is pleasing to see i that so fine an artist is being used so frequently now by the National Broadcasting Service. The orchestra is to be conducted by Mr Leon de Mauny, who has already some excellent performances to his credit. Another important radio performance is scheduled to come from 2YA next Saturday evening, when the J. C. Williamson Musical Comedy Company, headed by Miss Gladvs Moncrieii, will present "A Southern Maid." The performance will be relayed from the Wellington Grand Opera House. This enterprise, of course, is to be commended, and it will bo interesting to learn to what extent radio is a substitute for vision in the theatre. If the singing is good—and there need be no doubt about the quality of Miss Moncrieff s singing—this should provide an excellent evening's entertainment.

During the week a leading medical man made some reference to euthanasia, which means the hastening of death in cases where there is no hope of recovery. On Monday evening IYA is broadcasting "The Right to Die," which is described as "a modern problem play." Other work by Edmund Barclay, the author of this piece, has been broadcast before, and as he has a strong dramatic sense, there should be some good drama before he reaches his conclusion.

BROADCASTING

TO-DAY'S PROGRAMMES

;iV.V, CHIUSTCH UIU 11 (720 Kilocycles) 7 0 am.: Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match, New Zealand v. Somerset at Taunton. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Repoit of play in the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Report of plav in the above cricket match. 10 0: Devotional service. 10.15: Selected recordings. 10.30: Time signals. 10.32: Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: Special week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.45 (approx.): Commentary on Rugby fixture. Sydenham v. Merivale, relayed from Rugbv Park. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Mr Riddleman. G.O: Dinner music. 7.0: News

IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles)

2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles)

IYA, DUNEDIN t 790 Kilocycles)

SUNDAY

:;VA. CHRISTCHUKCH

and report?. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0: Chimes. Recordings: Debroy Somers Band, with vocalists. "This England"—a Coronation toast. 8.10: Peter Dawson (bans-baritone). 8.16: Billv Mayerl (pianoforte). 8.22: Albert Sandler and his Orchestra. 8.30: Brian Lawrence (vocal). 8.30: Recording: "A Pair of Jacks" (comedians), "Coronation Day" (Lumsdaine and Davy). 8.12: Recording: George Scott Wood (piar.o-accordion). 8.54: Recordings: Richard Tauber (tenor). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: The Bessie Pollard String Ensemble. 9.14: Jock Lockhart (comedian) (a) "Dandelion, Daisy, and Daffodil" (Butler); (b) "Maggie's Always Happy" (Box). 9.20: Josef Kaartinen (the distinguished Finnish saxophonist). 9.32: Recording: The Embassy ' Musical Comedy Company. "Sorgs "from the Shows." 9.39: The Bessie Pollard String Ensemble. 9.47: Jock Lockhart I comedian). "And So Say All of Us" (Fragson). 9.52: Recording: Debroy Somers Band, "Cavalcade" selection. ]o.(>': Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station. 3VL. 1200 kilocycles. 2.30 p.m.: Selected recordings. 50- Selected recordings. 7.0: Alter-din-ner music. 8.0: Chimes. Symphonic programme. An hour with Joseph Haydn, presenting at 8.2, Symphony in D Major ("The Clock"), played by New ork Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra; and, at 9 38, Emanuel Feurmann ('cellist), and Svmphonv Orchestra, playing Concerto in D Major. 10.0: Popular programme, "Merry Moments."

3d p.m.: Ruining commentary on Rugby football match, relayed from Eden Park. 3.15 and 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Talk, the gardening expert "Seasonal Work for July.' <.<<■ Concert programme. The Studio String Orchestra, conducted by Harold Baxter. 86- The National Four (vocal quartet). 8.18: The Studio String Orchestra. 8.21: Denis Shcard (tenor). 8.33: Ailccn Warren (piano). 8.46: Mrs M. Collicoat (soprano). 8.57: The Studio String Orchestra 90: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Old-time dance music by Clarrie Bruce and his Dance Band. 10.0. Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation of old-time dance programme. Alternative station, IYX. 880 kilocycles. 3.0 p.m.: Light musical programme. 5-tt: Light musical programme. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: "The Music Wranglers. The second of a series of studies in musical tastes, in which John, George, and Bob fight out the perennial question. Sandv Powell faces the microphone. 8.48: Sidney Torch at the mighty Wurhtzer. with an interlude by Chester Hazlett (saxophonist). 9.8: "The Queen Mary: Metamorphosis of No. 534." A programme in four scenes, depicting the transfer-, mation ot the 534 to the Queen Mary. 9 36: Jules Lande and his singing violin in "Romance and Melody." 9.51: Modern vaudeville and variety.

1 0 a.m.: Chimes. Report of play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Somerset, at Taunton. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Further report on the above cricket match. 8.5 (approx.): Continuation of breakfast session. 9.0: Further report on the above cricket match. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.30: Time signals. Devotional service. 12 noon: Lunch music. 10 p.m.: Week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Light musical programme. 2.45: Running commentary on the Rugby football match. (Relayed from Athletic Pork.) Announcer. Mr 0. Lamberg. 4.30: Selected recordings. 5.0: Children's session, conducted bv Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner mufcic. 7.0: News and reports. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0- Chimes. Popular programme. The Mayfair Symphony Orchestra, "The British Empire Fantasia" (arr. Haydn Wood). 8.10: "The King Passes By," a special Coronation song scena, introducing Ray Kemp and Geo. Power. 8.20: Harrv Robbins (xylophone) with orchestra. " "Fiddlesticks'" (Jones). 8.23: Miss Myrtle Chote (soprano). 8.29: Recordings: Massed Accordion and Dance Bands. 8.32: James Melton (tenor). 8.38: Charlie Kunz (piano), with rhythm accompaniment, "Charlie Kunz Piano Medlev." 8.44: Naughton and Gold (comedy duet). "Holidays" (Naughton, Gold). 8.47: Gino Bordin and his Magic Guitar. 8.50: Miss Myrtle Chote (soprano). 8.56: Recording : Sydney Kyte and his Piccadilly Hotel Band. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Jimmy Dare and his Novelty Quartet in 20 minutes of popular numbers. 9.25: Recorded dance programme. 10.0: Sports results. 10.10: Continuation of dance programme. Alternative station, 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 2.45 p.m.: Selected recordings. 5.0: Light musical programme. 7.0? After-dinner music. 8.0: Recital of concerted vocal and solo instrumental items. 9.0: "In Lighter Vein," an hour of variety. 10.0: "Merry and Bright," thirty minutes of music and humour.

IVA, AUCKLAND

2YA, WELLINGTON

4YA, DUNEDIN

245 p m.: Running commentary on <=unior Rugbv match. (Relay from Carisbrook.) 4.45: Sports results. Weather forecast. Selected recordings. 5.0: Children's session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News and reports. 8.0: Chimes. A liSht orchestral and ballad programme. 41A Concert Orchestra, conducted by James Dixon. 8.10: L. E. Dally (tenor). 8.17: The Orchestra. "Arioso" (Fibich): "Shallow Waters" (Maycrll. 8.25: Mrs J. v\ Allan (contralto). 8.35: The Orchestra. "Valse dos Alouttes"; "Reconciliation polka (Drigoi. 8.43: L. E. Dally (tenor). 8 50: The Orchestra, "Dance of the Hours (Ponchiefli). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Ringside description of professional wrestling match. (Relay from Town Hall.) 10.0 (approx.): Sports -ummarv. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station. 4YO. 1140 kilocycles. 2.45 pm.: Selected reeovdinev. 5.0: Selected recordiiiE-'s. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: "On With Ihe Show," a variety programme 9.0: Band programme, with spoken interludes. 10.0: Comedy and light music.

DAVEXTRV, KXCLAXD GSG. 1(1.80 metre.-: GSO. 13.76 metres GSB 31.0 n metres.

4.0 p.m.: Biy Ben. "John Londoner ."t Home" —20. An evening with some of his niaiiv and various acquaintances. Presented bv Pascoc Thornton. 4.30: A recital bv' Joseph Pessac (South African violinist). 4.45: "London Los." by Walter Fitzgerald. 4.55: -They're Off!" A nonstop Variety. The starters include: "The Southern Sisters." and Jean Melville and Billv Thorburn. 5.25: The news and announcements. 5.45: All-Erisland Lawn Tennis Club Championship Meeting. Commentries on the play, from the Centre Court. Wimbledon. (U 5: Close down.

9.U a.m.: Report of play in the cricket match. New Zealand v. Gloucestershire, at Bristol. 9.5 'approx.): Selected recordings. 10.0: Report of play in the above cricket match. 10.5 (approx.): Selected recordings. 11.0: Relay of mornins service from Colombo Street Baptist Church. Preacher. Rev. N. R. Wood, organist. Miss R. Carey, L.T.C.L.. choirmaster. Mr K. G. Archer. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Selected recordings. 3.0:

Famous German folk songs, sung by Richard Tauber. 3.14: Selected record- I ings. 3.30: Time signals. 3.32: Selected j recordings. 5:30: Children's song ser- : vice, conducted bv Rev. W. Parker, as- ; sisted by the Sydenham Sunday school children.' 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: i Relav of evening service from St. Alban's ! Methodist Church. Preacher. Rev. W. A. : Burlev, M.A., organist, Mrs W. Hutchens, , choirmaster. Mr Will Hutchens. Mus.Bac. i 8.0: Selected recordings. 8.30: "Tann- , hauscr." a complete presentation of Rich- i ard Wagner's opera in three acts. AI- , ternative station. 3YL. (i.O p.m.: Selected j recordings. 8.30: Light recital programme. With Dora Labette (soprano). Hubert Eis- •■ dell (tenorj. Tossy Spivakovsky (vio- j linist.i.

2 0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.30: Songs l'i-' in Shakespeare's "As You Like It." Sung bv Stewart Wilson (tenor). 3.46: Selected recordings. 6.0: Children's ••■o'l" service. n .O: Evening service, relayed from St. Matthew's Anglican Church. Preacher, Rev. G. V. Gerard, organist. Mr Stanley Jackson. 8.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: A concert by the Auckland Municipal Band, relayed from the Concert Chamber, Town Hall. Conductor. Mr T. J. O'Connor. Alternative station. IYX. 6.0 p.m.: Chimes,. Light musical programme. 8.30: Symphonic programme.

90 am: Chimes. Report on the cricket match. New Zealand v. Gloucestershire, at Bristol. 9.5 (approx.): Selected recordings 10.0: Further report on the •,bove cricket match, followed by special weather forecast for aviators. 10.0 (app'ox): Further selected recordings, ll.u. Helav of morning service from Trinity Vfetliodist Church. Wellington South. Preacher. Rev. Walter Parker, organist, M ! ss Lilian Thawley. choirmaster. Mr W. McClellan. 1.0 p.m.: Special weather foreeast for aviators. Dinner session. 2.0: bongs of Debussv." sung by Maggie Teyte, with Alfred Cortot at the piano. 2.16 (approx ): Selected recordings. 3.30: Time signals 6.0: Children's song service. 7.0: Relay of evening service from the Salvation Armv Citadel. Preacher. Captain George Thompson. 8.15 (approx.): Selected recordings. 8.30: The 2YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Leon de Mauny 8.36. Recordings: Roy Henderson (baritone). 8.44. A recital by Vasa Prihoda (violin). 9.0. Weather report and station notices. 9.5. Concerto for.. Pianoforte and Orchestia in E Minor, composed by Frank Hutchens (New Zealand composer). 9.35: A recital bv Chrissie Barton (soprano) 9.49. The Orchestra. "Crown of India suite (Elgar). Alternative station, 2YC. 6.0 p.m.,, Selected recordings. 8.30: Light recital programme.

2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 0.30Children's song service. 6.15: Selected recordings. 6.30: Relay of evening service from First Presbyterian Church. Preacher, Rev. W. Allen Stevely. MA., organist. Dr. V. E. Galway. 7.45: Selected recordings. 8.30: Chimes Concert programme. The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Landon Ronald 8.38: Karl Heinrich Diener von Sclionberg (piano). 8.44: The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by ~ir Hamilton Harty. 9.0: Weather-report and station notices. 9.5: Thea Ph>hps (English lvric soprano). 9.21: The London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Hamilton Harty. 9.45: Gerhard Husch (barilone). 9.53: Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Stokowski. 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. 4 pm ■ Big Ben. A Sunday School Anniversary Service from Trinity Methodist Church. Wolverhampton. Organ Voluntarv. Order of Service: Children's Hymn, O Lovely Peace (Handel). Collect. The Lord's Praver. Children's Hymn. Hearts Feel that Love Thee (Mendelssohn). Lesson, St. Luke 11. 40-52. Children's Hymn, How Lovely are the Messengers (Mendelssohn), Prayer. Children s Hymn, Waft her. Angels, through the Skies (Handel). Address by the Rev. R. Gibson Lawn. Children's Hymn, Rest of the Wearv (Handel). Blessing. (Organist and Choirmaster: Harold E. Hale.) 4.50: John Revnders with his Orchestra. 5.2 a: Weekly Newsletter, Sports Summary, and Announcements. 5.45: All-England Lawn Trnms Club Championship Meeting. Commentaries from the Centre Court, Wimbledon. Henley Regatta: a Commentary. 6.15: Close clown.

OVERSEAS RECEPTION NOTES

(Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association.)

Special DX programmes now being broadcast are: WHBQ. Memphis. Tennessee, 1370 kilocycles. 7 to 7.30 p.m. every Wednesday: TGW. Guatemala. 1190' kilocycles. 10.000 watts, closing 10.30 p.m. every Sunday; CFCN Calgary. Alberta, 1030 kilocycles, 30 000 waits. closing 0.30 p.m. every Thursday: PRE 3 Rio de Janeiro. Brazil, 1220 kilocycles. 10.000 watts, closing 7.30 p.m. every Saturday: KMAC San Antonio. Texas. 100 watts, 1370 kilocycles. 10 to 10.30 n.m. everv Tuesday and Saturday: KFBB Great Falls. Montana. 1280 kilocycles. 1000 watts, ti.3o to 9.30 n.m. everv Saturriav: KGIW Alamosa Colorado. 1420 kilocycles. 100 \v:-Us. 6.30 to 7 n.m. everv Tuesday and Saturdav; XED -Guadalajara. Mexico. 1160 kilocycles. 2500 watts, closing 030 p.m. Saturdays.

MELHUISH and CO. Readjust your Radio in your own home, 3s 6d; Lyttelton. ss"6d. Use 'phone 41-508 654)

Sydney Leo. playing in the United Kingdom billiards championship, retired—injured. He had pulled a muscle in hi? neck.

Sued for £9 at Belfast Quarter Sessions, a man offered to ppv 2s a week, or a greyhound puppy. The latter offer was accepted.