OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22195, 11 September 1937, Page 10

OVER THE AIR

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

DREARY VOICES [By LISTENER.) One of these days the National Broadcasting Service 'will have to sit down quietly and .consider one of the most urgent radio problems confronting them: the dreary monotony of most of the voices now on the air in New Zealand. I cannot believe for a moment that the problem has eluded the Director whose voice by the way, is almost solitary in holding the attention of listeners. Professor Shelley, however, is heard infrequently, so his occasional excellences do little to compensate for the torrents of irritating dullness that flow through New Zealand's 256,000 radio sets That something is much amiss can'be shown by the fact that some voices which promise well enough when they are first heard soon become uninteresting. One speaker comes to mind There was a time when I would have said that his was the best broadcasting voice heard regularly in this SS. Perhaps it still is. but I can say that, as an average listener, I have long since lost interest in him. Three or four months ago I did not fail each week to tune in when he was on the air, but I don't now. It displeases me to hear the flat monotony in his tones, and generally speaking there is little , variety in the matter he broadcasts. Ot course, to give force to my criticism. I should mention the name of mis speaker, but since I have declared a closed season on individual announcers, it seems only fair that the same splendid humanitarianism should be applied to individual speakers. I can say. however, that the man I have criticised does possess one of the best radio voices in New Zealand, and since he no longer pleases me, it is simple to deduce my opinion of those voices which are far bel»w his in The more one listens to radio talks, the more one becomes aware of the New Zealand accent. There is a deplorable carelessness in speech which is, strangely enough, more evident on formal occasions than in casual conversation The dialect variations from standard English to be heard in England fall pleasantly on the ear, but the speech which is heard so often over the air in New Zealand is not pleasant because its deviation from standard English is the result of carelessness. It may be mentioned in passing that the worst offenders have sometimes been school teachers, so the young in their charge have little chance of b,eing better than their pedagogues. Good Matter, Bad Speech It is too apparent to need emphasis that good matter in a radio talk will be instantly killed by bad speech. The Prime Minister has said that he learned during his excursion abroad that New Zealanders, from the intellectual standpoint, are the equals of their brothers overseas. There is, of course, no reason why they should not be, and since the intellectual standards are high in New Zealand, there should be no deficiency in the content of radio talks broadcast from national stations. The truth is that the matter is generally reasonably good, and yet it has been proved by popular vote that listeners place talks far down on their list of preferences. The reason is easy enough to find; the masses do not dislike talks because they are instructive, but they do dislike them because most of the talks they hear are so badly delivered. Trained Teachers Needed Since talking is an integral part of radio, it is obvious that a remedy must be found. They say that bricks cannot be made without straw, so it is safe to conclude that talkers are needed for talks. The National Broadcasting Service, therefore, must train a band of radio talkers—a number of men and women who can be sure of holding the attention of the great radio audience. But then another difficulty comes in our way. A good talker—a person with an agreeable voice and a fine radio personality—may not be able to manufacture the kind of talks the National Broadcasting Service thinks should be on the air. The solution to that little problem need cause no head-scratching. The accomplished speakers have only to deliver the talks prepared for them by people who know their subjects. If there were one accomplished radio talker employed permanently at each of the national stations, listeners would be saved the trouble of turning the knob each time an instructive talk was announced.

This is a simple idea, but it has yet to be shown how this band of radio speakers is to be trained. The recruits cannot be handed over mercilessly to the professional elocutionists of New Zealand. There is, in fact, nobody in this country capable of instructing them for the specific purpose of broadcasting. Professor Shelley himself could give useful advice, but he has many other things to do. The only course, then, is to import a man or woman from England to do the work. The instructor would have to be a person of wide radio experience and reputation. The National Broadcasting Service would get a fair return for its money if it paid Mr Howard Marshall to visit this country. Mr Marshall has wide radio experience, and although he is not on the regular staff of_the British Broadcasting Corporation, he is pressed into service for the great occasions. It was he who described the Coronation in Westminster Abbey, and he has also described one Royal wedding. Mr Marshall is a man of wide scholarship; he is a writer and sportsman, and in addition, he is a perfect radio personality. No doubt there are many others who could do the work, but I mention Mr Marshall because he has so many valuable attributes. To bring him on a visit to New Zealand would probably cost less than the ornamentation on one wall of the Conservatorium of Music and the Spoken Arts, and the National Broadcasting Service would have the satisfaction of obtaining an immediate return for its money. This constructive criticism, accompanied by useful suggestions, should result in a strengthening of New Zealand radio at its weakest point. A Chopin Recital Last Monday evening 3YA broadcast a short Chopin recital by Mr Andersen Tyrer, an English pianist who is visiting New Zealand as an examiner for the Trinity College of Music. Mr Tyrer kept clear of the gentleness and poetic interpretation with which some pianists do Chopin poor service. He was vigorous, and there was startling clarity in his tone. The most welcome news is that he will be broadcasting other recitals while in the Dominion. Those Saturday Programmes Although I have done so already, I must once more protest against the general indifference of the programmes broadcast by the national stations on Saturday evenings. Listeners who stay at home want to hear something better than the scream of jazz, and they want something more satisfying than the so-called "light" entertainment provided for them. I cannot see why the National Broadcasting Service does not put some of its best eggs into the Saturday basket. Most listeners. I think, would welcome the change after the sporting broadcasts of the afternoon.

BROADCASTING TODAY'S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.: Cricket: New Zealand v. an English Eleven, at Scarborough. 7.5 (approx.): Breakfast session. 8.0: Cricket report. 8.5 (approx.): Breakfast session (continued). 9.0: Cricket report. 10.0: Devotional service. 10.15: Recordings. 10.30: Time signals. 10.32: Recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: Special week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.45: Relay from Lancaster Park. Description of the Rugby football match, Canterbury v. North Otago. 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour, conducted by Mr Riddle Man. 6.0: Review by Mr J. Hore. of play in the Rugby football match. South Africa v. Otago. Rebroadcast from 4YA. 6.15: (approx.): Dinner music. 7.0: News. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0: Chimes. Commentary on the Boxing Championships (relayed from 3ZR Greymouth). 10.0 (approx.): Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music Alternative station, 3YL, 1200 kilocycles. 2.30 p.m.: Rebroadcast of 4YA of description of the football match, Springboks v. Otago. at Dunedin. 5.0: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Symphonic programme, featuring at 8.15 "Scheherazade" Symphonic Suite, Op. 35 (Rimskv Korsakov), played by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Symphonic Orchestra: and. at 9.24, Concerto No." 3 in D Minor, Op. 30 (Rachmaninoff), played by Vladimir Horowitz (pianist), and the London Symphony. Orchestra. 10.0: "Joy and Jollity." A bright programme. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 2 30 p.m.: Running commentary on the Rugby football match, Springboks v. Otago, at Dunedin (rebroadcast from 4YA). 3.15 to 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News 7.40: Recorded talk: Rektor L. Zilliacus, "Education in Democratic New Zealand." 8.0: A short recital by Mr and Mrs Ramsay Howie (baritone and soprano). 8.22: Mary Martin (violin). 8 34: Recordings, Charles Kullman (tenor). 8.46: Edward O'Henry (organ). 9.5: Recording: The Orchestra of Novelty Apprentices, "Crazy" Overture, No. 2, "Poet and Peasant" (Suppe). 9.9:. Jessie Matthews (light vocal). 9.21: John Barratt (baritone). 9.27: Recording: Billy Reid and his Accordion Band. 9.33: Elsie and Doris Waters (commediennes). 9.39: Louis Levy and his GaumontBritish Symphony Orchestra. 9.45: John Barratt (baritone). 9.51: Recording: Orchestra of Novelty Apprentices. "Crazy Overture, No. 1, "Raymond" (Suppe). 9.55: Sons of the Pioneers (vocal), with novelty accompaniment. 10.0: Sports summary. 10 10: Dance music. Alternative station, IYX, 880 kilocycles. 2.30 p.m.: Recordings. 3.0: Running commentary on Rugby football match, relayed from Eden Park. 5.0: Light music. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: "The Call of the Prairie 8.30: Featuring Turner Lay ton (tenor), Charlie Kunz (piano), and Rudy Wledoeft (saxophone). 9.0: Variety, featuring Billy Costello (orginal "Pop-eye. the Sailor"), and Mae Questal ("Betty Boop-). 9.30: Modern dance music. 10.0: Lignt entertainment. ZYA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 6.50 a.m.: Weather report for aviators. 7.0: Cricket: New Zealand v. an English Eleven, at Scarborough. 7.5 (approx): Breakfast session. . 8.0: Cricket report. 8.5 (approx.): Breakfast session (continued) 9.0: Cricket report. 10.0: Weather report for aviators. 10.30: Time signals. Devotional service. 12 noon: Lunch music. 12.30 p.m.: Running commentary on the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting, relayed from Hutt Park. Announcer, Mr Karl Scott. 1.0 Weather report for aviators. Week-end weather forecast. 2.30: Running commentary on the Rugbv football match. Springboks v. Otago, at Dunedin (rebroadcast from 4YA). 4.15: (approx.): Recordings. 5.0: Children s hour, conducted by Uncle Jasper. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News. 7.30: Time signals. 7.45: Talk. Mr John Lewis, Senior State Placement Officer, "To-day and To-morrow." 8.0: Chimes. A miscellaneous programme. Recording: Geraldo and his Orchestra, with Cyril Grantham, the Top-Hatters, and Marjorie Steddeford, "That Girl from Paris' Selection (Schwartz, Heymann). 8.6: A recital bv Essie Ackland (famous contralto). 8.20: Dave Howard. English saxophonistcomedian, in a programme of melody and mirth. 8.34: Reginald Morphew. (baritone). 8.48: "Drama at Dawn," being a further incident in the lives of a Japanese houseboy and his employer. 9.2: Weather forecast and station notices. 9 5: Old-time dance music by the 2YA Old-Time Dance Orchestra. Conductor: Frank Crowther. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation of old-time dance programme. Alternative station. 2YC, 840 kilocycles. 2.15 p.m.: Recordings. 2.30: Running commentary on the Wellington Trotting Club's spring meeting, relayed from Hutt Park (announcer, Mr Karl Scott.) 5.0: Light music. 7.0: Afterdinner music. 8.0: Early English vocal and Instrumental recital. 8.30: "Cyril Scott Cameo." Thirty minutes with the pioneer modernist among British composers. 9.0: An hour of variety and vaudeville. 10.0: Thirty minutes of music and humour. 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 2 30 p.m.: A running commentary on the Rugby football match, Springboks v. Otago (relayed from Carisbrook). (Relayed broadcast by IYA, 2YA, and 3YL). 4.5: Sports results. Selected recordings. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour. 6.0: Review by Mr J. Hore of play in the Rugby football match, South Africa v. Otago. 6.15 (approx.): Dinner music. 7.0: News. 8.0: Chimes. A light orchestral and ballad concert. 4YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by James Dixon. 8.9: Elsie Finch (soprano). 8.16: The Orchestra. "Children's" suite (Ansell). 8.26: Arthur Lungley (baritone) 8.37: The Orchestra, "Blue Heaven" (Robrecht); "Jazz Nocturne' (Dama Suesse). 8.44: Elsie Finch (soprano). 8.51: The Orchestra. "The Geisha" Selection (Jones). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: A ringside commentary on professional wrestling match (relay from Town Hall). 10.0 (approx.): Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. Alternative station, 4YO, 1140 kilocycles. 2.30 p.m..: Recordings. 5.0: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: "These Were Hits," popular numbers of the past. 8.30: "Scraps of Paper," a recorded drama, featuring Kay Seven and the Embassy players. 9.0: Dance programme. 10.0: Comedy and light music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSG, 16.86 metres; GSO 19.76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres. 5.30 p.m.: Big Ben. "London Log," by Walter Fitzgerald. 5.50: The 8.8. C. Empire Orchestra; leader, Daniel Melsa; conducted by Arthur Collingwood. 6.25: "The Heavenly Discord." A fantasy by W. J. Turner. Some of the immortalsBach. Beethoven, Wagner, Debussy, and Paganini. with the god Apollo as chairmar.—have the curiosity in an idle moment to listen to what is being played on earth. The strains of "The Music Goes Round and Around" come floating to their ears, and the argument which ensues provides the "heavenly discord." Music composed and arranged by Sandy Rivers, and played by Josef Marais and his Troubadours. Production by John Pudney. 6.55: The news and announcements. 7.15: Henry Hall and his dance orchestra. 7.45: Close down . SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from Rugby Street Methodist Church. Preacher. Rev. F. B. Lawrence, organist, Mrs W. Hutchens, choirmaster, Mr Wil. Hutchens, Mus.Bac. 10 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Recordings. 3.0: Four numbers arranged by Percy Grainger: (1) "Mock Morris"; (2) "Molly on the Shore"; (3) "Londonderry Air"; (4) "Country Gardens." 3.15 (approx.): Recordings. 3.30: Time signals. 5.30: Children's song service, conducted by Rev. J. T. McWilliam, and the St. John's choir boys. 6.15: Recordings. 6.30: Relay of evening service from ft. Matthew's Anglican Church. Preacher, Rev. J. F. Feron, organist and choirmaster, Mr George E. Wilson, L.R.S.M. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Recording: Paris Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Paul Minssarat, "Hansel and Gretel" overture (Humperdinck). 8.40: Mrs Tristram Wilcox (contralto), presents (a) "Brittany" (Bullock); (b) "Timothy I (Craxton); (c) "Were You There?" Negro spiritual (Burleigh): (d) "Alleluia" (O'Connor. Morris). 8.52: Recording; Wlll«

hem Mengelberg and his Concertgebouw Orchestra, (a) "Perpetuum Mobile" (Johann Strauss); (b) "Cossack Dance" (Tschaikowsky). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Madame Betts-Vin-cent, in a pianoforte lecture-recital. French programme, introducing: (a) "l'Egyptienne" (Rameau): (b) "Danseuses de Delphes"; <c) "Poissons d'Or"; (d) "Toccata" (Debussy); <e) "Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte"; (f) "Le Gibet" (Raven): (g) "Etude en Forme de Valse" (Saint Saens). 9.35: Harold Prescott (tenor), (a) "How Vain is Man" (Handel); (b) "Indian Serenade" (Voerji); (c) "Gloria" (BuzziPeccia). 9.48: Recording, Grand Orchestre Philharmonique of Paris, "La Rosiere Republicaine" Suite de Ballet (Gretty). Alternative station, 3YL. 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: "State Ball Memories, presented by Marius B. Winter and his Orchestra. 8.39: Two tenor solos by Richard Tauber. 8.45: "Child Impersonations" by Harry Hemsley. 8.52: Sidney Torch (organ), with violin, playing "Torchlight" music. 9.0: Relay of afterchurch community sing from Civic Theatre. 9.20: Melody from Marek Weber and his Orchestra. 9.30: "From the Land of the Heather." IYA. AUCKLAND 3.30 p.m.: "Beau Danube," ballet music by Johann Strauss. 3.46: Recordings. 6.0: Children's song service. 7.0: Evening service. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Concert programme. Recording: The Boston Orchestra, "Capriccio Espagnole" (Rimsky Korsakov). 8.46: Heinrich Schlusnus (baritone). 8 51: Phyllis Bloy and Evelyn Prime (two pianos), Rondo for two Pianos, Op. 73 (Chopin). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Gwenda Weir (soprano). 917: Recording: Royal Opera Orchestra, Covent Garden, conducted by Eugene Goossens. 9.29: Charles Rousseliere (tenor). 9.37: Eugene Ormandy and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Alternative station, IYX. 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8 30- "Perpetual Motion," the insoluble problem in music. 8.46: "The Enchanted Hour," light music about little people. 9.45: Fifteen minutes of Maori music. 2YA. WELLINGTON 9 0 a.m.: Recordings. 11.0: Relay of morning service from St. John's Presbyterian Church. Preacher, Rev. J. R. Blanchard, organist and choirmaster, Mr W. Lawrence Haggitt. 1.0 p.m.: Weather report for aviators. Dinner session. 2.0: "Don Juan," tone poem by Richard Strauss. Played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Fritz Busch. 2.16: Recordings. 3.30: Time signals 6.0: Children's song service, conducted by Uncle William, assisted by the children from St. Giles's Presbyterian Sunday school. 7.0: Relay of evening service from the Church of Christ, Wellington South. Preacher. Mr W. G. Graham, organist. Miss Eunice Inkersell. 8.30: A complete musical presentation of Arnold Schonberger's "Gurre Lieder," by Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra Alternative station. 2YC. 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: Light recital programme. 4YA, DUNEDIN 2.30 p.m.: "Aubade," a concerto for piano and 18 instruments by Francis Poulenc, played by the composer and l'Orchestre des Concerts Straram. 2.49 Recordings. 5.30: Children's song service. 6.15: Recordings. 6.45: Relay of service from the Salvation Army Citadel. 8.0: Recordings. 8.15: An organ recital by Dr. V. E. Galway, Dunedin City Organist. (Relay from Town Hall.) 920 (approx.): Weather report and station notices. 9.25: An Eric Coates recital. Recordings, the London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eric (Coates, "The Merrymakers," • a miniature overture. 9 29- John McCormack (tenor). 9.38: Eric Coates and Symphony Orchestra. "By the Tamarisk.'; 9.42: Sylvia Cecil (soprano). Olive Groves (soprano). 9.48: The Light Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eric Coates. "The Three Men" Suite: The Man from the Country: The Man About Town: f The Man from the Sea. Alternative station, 4YO. 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: Victor Young and his Orchestra entertain, with a vocal interlude by Jessie Matthews. 8 52- Tom Katz (saxophonist). 9.0: "Twelve Hundred Feet Down," a mining drama by Eric Wilson. Produced by George Swan, and recorded in the studios of the N.B.S. 9.44: "The Lights Are Low —The Music is Sweet." DAVENTRY, ENGLAND G S G., 16.86 metres; GSO, 19.76 metres; GSB, 3155 metres. 530 p.m.: Big Ben. commentaries. The Midland Automobile Club hill climb at Shelsley Walsh, and the King's Cup air race 5 50: Desiree Mac Ewan, in a short pianoforte recital of her own works. 6.5: A religious service (Methodist), from Wesley's Chapel, City road, London. 6.55: Weekly newsletter, sports summary, and announcements. 7.20: Fred Hartley and