OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22355, 19 March 1938, Page 11

OVER THE AIR

RANDOLPH PASSES THROUGH

fßy LISTENER] Deep-seated apprehension bordering on fear is liable to affect different men in different ways. It does cause my old friend Randolph Cressy, apparently, to ignore the flesh-pots. So when he called upon me last Saturday evening I was surprised to find him depressingly sober. “A man’s got to think quickly just now,” he explained, “and it's no good having the mind confused unnecessarily." “Why the quick thinking?” I asked. That question was countered by one from him. “Haven’t you got any brains or imagination?” he asked contemptuously. “Europe has sidled through a few crises in the last two or three years, but the lid’s coming off with this one, and I’m on my way to the southest part of South Westland. I admire Austrian culture; Vienna is a beautiful • city; the Danube’s not bad to look at; and just to show I’ve been there, I can call the place Wien. But am I jgoing to load my insurance policy for Austrian independence? ‘No’ is the answer. The bush and a glimpse of the sea once in a while will do me until this bit of trouble has blown over.” “Aren’t you looking at things a bit gloomily,” I said, with the private object of being reassured. “I hope I am,” he replied, “but the armed hordes have been set tramping before for much less than this. I don’t propose to take any chances.” It seemed- to me that if trouble were going to come our way, Randolph might be absent a long time, and I felt it would be rather a pity if we did not have his latest interim report on New Zealand radio. That he was in a subdued mood made it more likely that he would have something of value to offer.

3VA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles)

iVA; AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles)

“Have you been listening-in much lately?” I asked, in the hope of giving him a lead.

“Not a great deal,” he replied loftily. “As a matter of fact I’m pretty heavily engaged with my Lenten task.” “Anti what might that be?”

“I’ve made a covenant with myself to expiate my sins by reading slowly, and as intelligently as lies in my power, Robert Bridges’ ‘Testament of Beauty.' ” “Who put you on to that?”

IYX, AUCKLAND (880 Kilocycles)

“It’s a leng story,” he said, “but a young woman I know is rather interested in these things. She’s trying to improve me. She says she could not tolerate a n.an who had not read and understood ‘The Testament of Beauty’ and a few' other little things. I’m sorry I haven’t my full reading list with me now." He looked thoughtful for a moment and then said that the mention of reading reminded him of my petty triumph. “Bimbo,” he added, "that’s my pet name for her, ’ says that your notion of having vulgar stuff like the writings of Jacobs broadcast is just too atrocious. Bimbo thinks they should- make a kind ,of serial of ‘The Testament of Beauty.’ Her view is that the masses should be uplifted.” “Well, Randolph,” I said. “It’s a touching tribute to your new enchantress to have her opinions dutifully echoed in this way; but what do you think yourself?” “I’m all for Jacobs,” he replied, “but please don’t say so in print. I know a man who is In training now to offer himself as a professional reader to the National Broadcasting Service. He is practising every morning with ‘The Testament of Beauty.”’ '

2YA, WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles)

“There appears to be a bit of a run on Bridges in your part of the world.” I said. ‘Doesn’t that make you suspicious?” “Why should it?” “Well, Bimbo and all that sort of thing,” I replied “Crikey, I hadn’t thought of that,” said Randolph, with a genuine Othello gleam in his eye. “It does look rather as if you have a rival.”

2YC, WELLINGTON (840 Kilocycles)

“Him a rival! That pasty-face galoot! He spends his evenings writing what he calls emancipated verse. When I say it means nothing he looks superior and says that verbal texture and aesthetic ideology count more than any meaning readily apparent to the hoi polloi.” “Now, then, that’s pll very interesting, Randolph, but what about radio? I’d like to hear some of your latest ideas.”

4VA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles)

“If you’re looking for helpful criticism I’ll give it to you. There’s far too many blank programme nights, and they don’t seem to make the most of the items they have. I’ll give you an example. There’s young Mr Frederick Page. He’s .come back to New Zealand after a couple of years’ study in England. He’s given one recital from Wellington and another from Auckland, and I expect any number of people wanted to hear him. This to my mind was an obvious case for some preliminary publicity. They’d have boomed him along from the ZB stations if he cared to forget that he studied under Vaughan Williams and \yas prepared to ‘swing’ his music. Since I met you last. I’ve been thinking things over seriously, and I believe the national stations would leave the commercials standing if they had a tithe of the commercial ’push.’ ’ ’ “That kind of criticism is right enough, but it’s the sort of generalising I do pretty well myself. Be specific and tell me what would be your conception of a satisfactory radio programme for one evening.” “Ah, no. You can’t catch me like that. If I asked you to outline a pleasing programme I think you would dodge the issue.” “Not altogether,” I, retorted. “I w.quld •like to hear regular offerings of modern music. The classical stalwarts we usually hove on Sunday afternoons are- unexceptionable, blit I want to know what the newer composers sound like. Occasionally my curiosity is satisfied, and I’m very pleased about it, but there’s not nearly enough done in, this way.” “To some- extent I’m with you,” said Randolph. “A year or two ago I usea to think this music was a cultural ramp, .but radio has helped me ,to understand a little about it. Those Budapest boys you wrote so enthusiastically about If st year made me realise that music could help me to feel different. I didn’t know to the .uttermost depths what their playing meant, but it did make me think of many plei sant things.” “Exactly, Randolph. Music opened up a new world for you; put shearing problems and suchlike out of your mind for a time.”

4YO, DUNEDIN (1140 Kilocycles)

SUNDAY

“That’s what happened all right,” he said, “and surely it should be possible for still more to be done. Those of us who have been started on our stumbling to musical appreciation should be encouraged to go further. Good music could be made as popular as bad.” It seems to me that Randolph got on to a fair point there. The National Broadcasting Service does pay reasonable attention to those who care for classical music, but it is not quite active enough in persuading more and more people to care for the best. If they are to do so, people must be schooled attractively and without violence. Recitals like . those of Madame Betts-Vincent must be more

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

BROADCASTING

TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES

7.0 a.m.; Breakfast session. 10.0: Recordings. 10.30; Devotional service. 10.45: Recordings. 11.0: Time signals. Recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. , 1.0 p.m.: Week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Recordings. 3.30: Sports results. 4.0: Time signals. 4.30; Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour (‘‘The Music Box” session, by Cousin Nessie). 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10: News. 7.30: Time signals. 8.0: Chimes. Recordings: Otto Dobrindt and Eugen Wolff Orchestra, “Suite de Danse" intermezzo (Kanneke). 8.5: "Westward Ho!” episode 57. Drama of Charles Kingley s novel. 8.18: Lawrence Tibbett (baritone), (a) “On the Road to Mandalay” (Kipling, Speaks); (b) ‘‘Coin’ Home” (Fisher). 8.28; Rawicz and Landauer (pianoforte duet), (a) “Faust” variations (Gounod, Landauer): (b) “Carmen” selection (Bizet, Landauer). 8.34: Columbia Artiste, “Studio Stunts.” 8.43: London Theatre Orchestra, "The Merry Widow” selection (Lehar). 8.51: Midnight Revellers, with .vocal chorus, “The Open Road” —a hiking medley (arr. Debroy Somers). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Old-time dance programme, to music by Colin Campbell's Dance Orchestra (from the Ritz Ballroom). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.15: Old-time dance programme.

3YL, CHRISTCHURCH (1200 Kilocycles) 5.0 p.m.: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Symphonic programme. 10.0; Favourite entertainers.

3.15 and 4.30 p.m: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s hour. - 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News. 8.0; Concert programme. Recordings: Willy Steiner Orchestra. 841: Mabel McGinn (soprano), 8.23: Ailcen Warren (piano). 8.35: Kenneth Sandford (baritone). 8.47: Recordings: Vasa Prlhoda (violin). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Recordings: Columbia Light Opera Company. 9.9: Ossie Cheeseman (piano-accordion). 9.15: Recordings: Humoresque Melodies (male quintet). 9.21:' Erhard Bauschke Hawaiian Orchestra., 9.27: Norman Long (entertainer at the piano). 9.30: Recorded presentation, “Hotel Revue.” 9.42: Recording: Tino Rossi (light vocal). 9.45: Ossie Cheeseman (piano-accordion). 9.51: Recording: George. Freundorfer, zither soloist with orchestra. 9.54: Columbia Light Opera Company. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music.

7.0 p.m.; After-dinner music. 8.0: Song hits from recent films. 8.20: Sousa’s Band in popular marches. 8.32: Hildegarde, America’s favourite variety star. 8.45: Humour, the Hulbert Family. 9.0: “Melodies of the Month,” Len Green (pianist). 9.12; Negro choirs singing spirituals. 9.28: Light continuity: "Musical Noah’s Ark.” 10.0: Variety.

6.50 a.m.: Weather report for aviators. 7.0: Breakfast session. 10.0: Weather report for aviators Devotional service. 11.0: Time signals. 12 noon: Second day of the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting (from Trentham Racecourse): interspersed with studio recordings. Note: If the last race is run after 5 o’clock the commentary will be broadcast by station 2YC. l.Ofrp.m.: Weather report for aviators. Week-end weather forecast; frost forecast for Canterbury and Otago. 3.0: Sports results. 4.0: Time signals. Sports results. 5.0: Children's session. 6.0: Dinner 1 session. 7.0: Government and overseas news. 7,10 . (approxJ; News. 7.30: Time "signal. )7i40; “Cards on the Table” (3), recorded 8.8. C. talk series for New Zealand listeners. A New Zealander, Jack Lovelock, £nd an Englishman. John Maude, discuss London news. 8.0: Chimes. Concert programme. Masked ''masqueraders and jesters in half-hour of sketches, songs, and jokes. 8.30: Recording: New Mayfair Orchestra. 8.38: John Carrlngton-Welby (baritone). 8.44: Recording: Albert Brau (saxophone), with orchestral accompaniment. 8.47: J. Mercer and J. CarringtonWelby (vocal duets). 8,56; Recording: New Mayfair Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Dance programme. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance programme.

5.0 p.m.: Light music. Commentary on last race from Trentham if race commences after 5.0 p.m. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Light classical programme. Instrumental solos, solo, and • concerted vocal items. 9.0: Variety and vaudeville. 10.0: "In Merry Mood.”

3.30 p.m.: Sports results. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0: Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News. 8.0: Chimes. A light orchestral and ballad concert. 4YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by James Dixon. 8.11: Bertha Rawlinson (contralto). 8.23: Orchestra. 8.31: Recording: Peter Dawson (bass-bari-tone). ,8.45: Orchestra. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9,5: Dance music. 10.0; Sports summary. * 10.10: Dance music.

5.0 p.m.: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Popular songs of the past. 8.15: Organ reveries. 8.30: Charlie Kunz Piano Medley. No. R 7. 8,36: “The Audition,” sketch. 8.42: Bobby Breen sings. 8.48: “The Magna Carta, 1215,” humorous monologue 8.52: Harry Roy’s Tiger Ragamuffins. 9.0: Band programme, Instrumental and humorous interludes. 10.0: Comedy and light music.

DAVENTRY ENGLAND GSG, 16.86 metres: GSO 19.76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres; GSD, 25.53 metres. 7.0 p.m.: Big Ben. Dancing with Gerald© and his Orchestra. 7.45: ‘‘All Kinds of People (6): Personal Memory of King Albert of the Belgians.” Talk.‘B.o: Frank Newman at the organ. 8.20; “London Log.” 8.30; Glasgow Corporation Transport Department Pipe Band. 8.50: News and announcements. 9.15: Close down.

3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Recordings. 11.0; Relay from Civic Theatre of morning meeting, conducted by Salvation Army. Preacher, Colonel George Holmes; bandmaster, Mr N. Goffin. 1.0 p.m.: Dinner music. 2.0: Recordings. 3.0: Wilhelm Backhaus (pianist), Variation on an original theme by Brahms. 3.10; Recordings. 4.0: Time signal. 5.30: Children’s song service (Rev; Farquhar Gunn and children of Presbyterian Sunday school). 6.15; Recordings. 7.0- Evening service from Sydenham Methodist Church, at its diamond jubilee. Preacher, Rev. Percy Paris (President of N.Z. Methodist Conference): choirmaster, H. E. O. Sail; organist, Mrs Storie. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Recordings: Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York, conducted by Toscanini. "Semiramide” overture (Rossini). 8.44: Nellie Lowe (contralto), (a) “To Music”; (b) “Thou Bringest Peace”; (c) “The Wild Rose”;

helpful than solid masses of music prefaced by gabbled and almost unintelligible annotations that can be found any way in a musical dictionary. I suppose these things have to be taken gradually. Still, people whose, taste could be developed are at present being left stranded by the National Broadcasting Service.

Randolph was becoming impatient. “There’s really nothing more I’ve got to tell you,” he said. “I must shuffle off. This is not a night for perilous delaying. The world may be alight by Monday morning and I want to be well on my way to the bush before then. Jackson’s Bay and a bit beyond is my destination.” As he left he, did a most friendly thing. He offered to scrape out a camp site for me too.

(d) "Evening Boat Song” (Schubert). 8.54: Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eugene Ormandy, Hungarian Caprice (Zador), 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Recordings: Heinrich Schlusnus (baritone), (a) “The Lotus Flower”: (b) “Missives”: (c) (d) "Provencal Song” (Schumann). 9.14: Boston Symphony Orchestra, Symphony No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 74 (“The Pathetxqde (Tschaikowsky). 3YL, CHRISTCHURCH 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30; “The Little Minister" overture. 8.38; Peter Dawson sings “Handel.” 8.47: Andres Segovia (guitarist). 8.53: "The Three Bears” phantasy. 9.0: Dora Labette (soprano). 9.8; ‘Cello solos by Lauri Kennedy. 9.15; “The Murder on the Portsmouth Road.” 9.2,>: Piano recital by Hambourg. 9.32: Lener String Quartet. 9.38; "Excursion in the Vienna Woods." 9.4B:’ Josef Szigeti (violinist). 9.56; “Marche Militaire.” IYA, AUCKLAND 3.30 p.m.; Brahms’s Variations on a Theme by Haydn (St. Antoni Chorale), Philharmonic Symphony' Orchestra of New York, conducted by Toscanini. 3.46: Recordings. 6.0: Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service from Church of Christ. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Concert programme. Concert by Auckland Municipal Band, conducted by Mr T. J. O’Connor (from Albert Park). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5 to 10.0: Band, “Marche Militaire” march (Schubert): “Danny Boy” traditional Irish number (arr. P. Grainger); “Patsy, the Swanky Drum-Major” musical sketch (Myddelton): I’Arlessienne Suite No. 2 (Bizet); “Faithful and Bold” march (Rust). IYX, AUCKLAND 3.0 to 4.15 p.m;: Wesley Bi-centenary Commemoration Service at Town Hall. Preacher, Rev. C. Irving Benson, Melbourne. 6.0; Selected recordings. 8.30: Philharmonic Orchestra, Berlin. 8.54: Recital of modern English songs: Parry Jones (tenor). Nancy Evans (contralto), and Mark Raphael (baritone). 9.10: London Symphony Orchestra. 9.30: Alfred Sittard (organ). 9.34 to 10.0: Gregor Piatigorsky (’cello) and the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.; Recordings. 10.0: Weather report lor aviators. 11.0; Morning service from St. Thomas’s Anglican Church. 1.0 p.m.; Weather report, for aviators. Dinner music. 2,0: Concerto for ’Cello and Orchestra (Op. 104, by Dvorak). Caspar Cassado with Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra. 2.40; Recordings. 4.0: Time signals. 6.0; Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. 8.15 (approx.): Recordings. 8.30: Operatic .programme, introducing dances from opera. 2YA Concert Orchestra, conducted by Leon de Mauny. 8.38; Recording: Evelyn Scotney (soprano). 8.42: Leeds Festival Choir, with London Philharmonic Orchestra; 8.54: Orchestra, “Gopak” ("The Fair of Scrotchintsi,” by Moussorgsky); Polonaise (“Eugene Onegin,” by Tschaikowsky). 9.0: Weather report and station notices.; 9.5: Talk, Sir Stenson Cooke, Secretary of Automobile Association of Great Britain: “This Motoring." 9.25: "Within These Walls,” No. 3. Recorded programme from Canada. 9.55; Orchestra: “Dance of the Hours” (“La Gioconda,” by Ponchielli). 2YC, WELLINGTON • 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: Band programme, vocal and instrumental interludes. / 4YA, DUNEDIN 2.30 p.m.; Four numbers arranged bv Percy Grainger. 2.46 (approx.); Recordings. 5.30‘ Children’s sor.g service. 6.15: Recordings. 6,30: Evening service from First Presbyterian Church. 7.45: Recordings. 8.30: Recorded presentation of "Otello,” opera in four acts, by Guiseppe Verdi. 4YO, DUNEDIN 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: “Firelight Fantasy.” 8.48: “Our Greatest Successes.” Cicely Courtneidge and Jack Hulbert. 8.54; “Love on the Films." 9.0: “Richelieu —Cardinal or King?” Episode 9. 9.26: “The Enchanted Forest,” light music about tile "Little Folk.” DAVENTRY, ENGLAND GSG, 16.86 metres: GSO, 19.76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres; GSD, 25.53 metres. 7.0 p.m.: Big Ben. England v. Scotland: A commentary by H. B. T. Wakelam on the international Rugby Union football match, from Twickenham. 7.30: Medvedeff’s Balalaika Orchestra. 7.55: Bells, and an Empire Service, from St. Paul’s Cathedral. London. Address by the Rev. M. F. Foxell (Succentor of St. Paul’s Cathedral and Priest-in-Ordinary to His Majesty the King). 8.45 Weekly newsletter, sports summary, and Saturday sport. 9.15 Close down.

OVERSEAS RECEPTION NOTES

(Supplied by the New Zealand DX Radio Association.) New stations now operating in the East are: JOKG, Kofu, Japan, BQO kilocycles, 500 watts; JQBK, Anto. 805 kilocycles, 50 watts; JQAK-2, Diaren, 1065 kilocycles. 1000 watts; XOJB, Shanghai, 900 kilocycles, 10,000 watts; XGAP, Peking. 640 kilocycles. 50,000 watts; MTGY, 1050 kilocycles, has changed to 1015. The following have been deleted: XGOA, XGOX, XGZ. XHOI, XQHG, XLHQ. Stations under construction are:— JORG, Hirosaki, 840 kilocycles, 300 watts; JOQG, Morioka, 880 kilocycles 500 watts; JOSG, Matsumoto, 960 kilocycles, 500 watts; JOPG, Kushire, 1010 kilocycles. 100 watts. These will probably be on the air soon. New American stations, WLLH, Lawrence, Massachusetts, 1370" kilocycles; KIT, Yakima. Washington. 250 watts has changed to 1250 kilocycles; CRCT, 840 kilocycles and CMBG, 1140 kilocycles have ceased operating. Schedules: KYMS, Santa Barbara, California, 1220 kilocycles, 500 watts, 3 a.m. to 8 p.m.; WCAU, Philadelphia, 1170 kilocycles, 50,000 watts, opens 11 p.m.; WICA, Ashtabula, Ohio, 940 kilocycles, 250 watts, opens 11 p.m.; WBLK, Clarksburgh, 1370 kilocycles, 100 watts., opens 11 p.m.; WBT, Charlotte, 1080 kilocycles, 50,000 watts, closes 7 p.m.; XEC, Tijuana, Mexico, 1150 kilocycles, 100 watts, closes 8 p.m. 1 ; KSLM, Salem, Oregon. 1370 kilocycles, 100 watts, closes 8 p.m.; XEBG, Tijuana, Mexico 820 kilocycles. 1000 watts, closes 7 p.m.; CBR, 1100 kilocycles, closes 7 p.m.; Lopikerkapel, Hilversum. is operating on 722 kilocycles, and Herby. Sweden has increased power to 100.000 wattsv Victorian allocations for March are: 3FL. Camberwell. 1350 kilocycles; 3GY. Yarravijle. 1175 kilocycles; 3BY, Caulfield, 1094 kilocycles.

MELHUISH and CO. Readjust Radio in your own home, 3s 6d; tel ton. 5s 6d Use 'Phone 41-508. yom Lyt--6541