OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22823, 23 September 1939, Page 9

OVER THE AIR

RADIO WEARINESS

IBy LISTENER] Events of the last few weeks have provided an extraordinary opportunity to judge the-value of radio and to compare it with other means of bringing information to the people. By now I think it probable that many listeners, perhaps even the majority of them, are just a little tired of the way in which news has come to them through the radio. The persistent oral bombardment is rather disturbing, and specially so when the news itself is unsettling. I have heard broadcasts from as many countries as I could, chiefly Britain, Germany and the United States, and my early enthusiasm has long since evaporated. I am more than happy now to absorb news in the ordinary way. The explanation of listening weariness is,-I think, not 'hard to find. A special technique is necessary for radio and it is not possible for an. announcer, to hold the attention of his listeners when he is telling a tale which could be told better in print. Radio broadcasts, I am satisfied now, cannot ever be a substitute for reading. If this thesis is accepted, we have the explanation of the comparative failure of most New Zealand radio talks. The matter is presented as it would be if the talker were writing an article on his subject. The result is that it does not “get;across” to the listener who feels that if he were interested he could get the information himself any time he liked. The effective radio talker must not. talk like a book; he must speak as a person anxious to communicate knowledge with simple in- i formality. Howard Marshall, for example, has a good, round attractive voice, but he dpes not hesitate to create the illusion of friendly chatting by being at- times almost negligent in his speech. That’s the way jt should be done.

“What I JLike” Sessions

In the last few weeks I have been an attentive listener to the “What I Like’’ sessions from 2YC and it is possible now to reach some general conclusions about them. The first is that they reveal little but fairly acute poverty of taste; and they can certainly be no guide to the National Broadcasting Service in framing its programmes. How these “world’s workers” have been chosen by the National Broadcasting Service I do not know, but the sessions on the whole are poorly produced. I have not yet -heard a session which Showed the slightest consistency of taste. I don’t believe that one person could be genuinely pleased by a programme containing . bagpipe music, Sandy Powell, “Little Old Lady,” Nelson Eddy and Jeanette Mac Donald cooing at each other melodiously and a bit of brass band thrown in to help tbings along. If anything is going to be learned from a session of this kind I think it would be preferable to go to persons able to devise a programme having unity. . Useful experiments could be undertaken if the National Broadcasting Service were prepared occasionally to hand over the microphone to amateur programme devisers who had some idea what they were about. No one admires policemen more than I do, but I would not expect to be vastly impressed by a radio programme chosen by a policeman, and I would not expect him to be impressed either by the manner in which I might handle a gentleman who was fighting drunk. The democratic idea is sound enough as a general principle, but in radio there should be continuing movement away from the lowest denominator of taste. " Alfred Hill Concert Last Wednesday I had as pleasant a radio hour as I’ve had for weeks, when the programme of Alfred Hill’s chamber music came from 3YA. Its success can be accounted for by the music itself, and also by the way in which the Alfred Hill String Quartet did its work. I for one did not know that Mr Hill had composed anything quite so thrijlingly elaborate as the Quartet in E Flat

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

and the Sonata for Violin and Pianoforte. Then there was the lovely song “Mopoke,” so faery and Haunting. I would like to have the programme repeated from other national stations, for New Zealand should learn more about Alfred Hill. The Coming Week In the coming week there is to be some music promising well. Tomorrow evening at 3YA Mr Noel Newson is scheduled to give a short pianoforte recital of works by modern British composers. Cyril Scott, York Bowen, and Frederick Delius are on the list. The programme does not look difficult, but' annotations might, be helpful. On Wednesday from IYA Miss Dorothy Davies will play Hadyn’s Sonata in E Flat. Madame Coelho will be heard from 2YA on Monday evening. It is not likely that many listeners have missed hearing her, but if there are any laggards here is a chance to make amends. Those who have heard Madame Coelho will need no advice to do so again. Next Friday there is to be a short programme of Vaughan Williams’s music from 2YC, The work of this greatest of living English composers is not heard as often as it should from the national stations.

To-morrow evening the National Broadcasting Service production of “Romeo and Juliet” will come from 2YA-1 forget whether this has been broadcast before, or whether we are having the premiere to-morrow. The Shakespeare cycle has gone so far that one cannot remember what has had the attention of the play production .department and what has been ignored. Another W. W. Jacobs short story will be read by Mr O. L. Simmance in bis session from 3YA next Wednesday. The Napier auxiliary station 2YH will broadcast the Jacobs’ play, “The Well.” on Thursday evening at 8.13. This came from 2YA three or four months ago and it can be recommended for those who like shudders from the radio. It was written by Jacobs in one of his rare macabre moods. A notable British Broadcasting Corporation feature, “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,” will be heard from 3YA on Tuesday evening. It has been popular in England and should be a change from the serials. BROADCASTING TOUAV’S IMSOGKAM.MKS 3VA. chrisxchurch (720 Kilocycles) 7.0 a.m.; Physical exercises. 7.10: Breaklas L session. 10.0: Selected recordings. 10.30; Devotional service. 10.43: Selected recordings. 11.0: Talk to women by Margaret. 11.10; Selected recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: Week-end weather forecast. 2.0: Selected recordings. 2.45: Commentary on Representative Rugby Match. Canterbury v. Buller (relayed from Lancaster Park). 4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Children's hour: Riddleman. "Eyes of the World." 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Official news service issued by the Prime Minister's Department. British Official wireless- news. 7.10; News. 7.45:' Talk by Thelma Kent. A.R.P.S., F.R.S.A. "Photography—Developing and Printing by Daylight/’ 8.0: Chimes. (H) Sir Hamlllon Harty, conducting the London Philharmonic Orchestra. "The Corsair" Overture (Berlioz). 8.9: Peter Dawson (bassbaritone), "McPherson’s Farewell" (McCall), “Deep Sea Mariner” (McCall). 8.15: "One Good Deed a Day.” A comedy serial by George Edwards and Company. 8.27: The London Palladium Orchestra. "The Golden Valse" (arr. Winter). 8.35; "Coronets of England.” The Life of Charles 11. "The Merry Monarch" (episode 19). 9.0: Weather forecast and station notices. 9.5: (R) Alfredo Campoll and his Salon Orchestra, "The Dancing Clock (Stroud). "Snowman" (Le Clerq). 9.10: The Novelty Duo (vocal and piano), “The Old Apple Tree” (Jerome). "One Day When We Wore Young" (Strauss). 9.17: Jock Lockhart in Bunkum Ballads, (a) "The Crazy Song" (Evans), (b) "Wait for the Kettle to Boil” (Hargreaves). 9.24: (R) Henry Croudson (organ). “Love Dance— Intermezzo” (Hescfma "Student Prince — Selection 7 ’ (Romberg). 9.31: (R) Danny Malone (tenor), "All That I Want is in Ireland" (Branch), ’T’H Take You Home (tgain. Kathleen” I Westendorf). 9.37: <R> Harry Karr (saxophone). "Estrellita” (Ponce), "Valse Vapite" (Wiedoeft). 0,43: The Noveltv Duo (vocal and nlano). “I’ll Still be Loving You" (filter). "Three Little Fishes" (Powell). ,0.49: Jock Lockhart in Bunkum Ballads, \The Policeman Who Nearly 7 Got Caught” (Connor). "The Bloater Song” (Haines). 9.56: (R) London Piano-accordion Band. "Little Old Lady” (Adams). 10.0; Sports summary. 10,15: Tut Coltman and his Australian Swing Band, relayed from the Frascati Cabaret. 3YL. CHRISTCHURCH (1200 Kilocycles) 2.30 p.m.; Light music. 5.0: Recordings. (.0: After-dinner music. 8.0: Symphonic arogramme; An evening with Handel, ftaydn, and Mozart, featuring at 8.17, ’Concerto Grosso Op. 6” (Handel). 9.1: ‘Concerto in D Major for ’Cello and Or:hestra (Haydn). 9.34: "Symphony No, 40 n G Minor" (Mozart). 10.0: Favourite en;ertalners. IYA, AUCKLAND (650 Kilocycles) 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.0: Bunting commentary on Rugby football natch, Jubilee Trophy challenge. Marlst )Id Boys v. Grafton (relayed from Eden J ark.) 3.15-4.30: Sports results. 5.0: Ihjldren’s session. 6.0: Dinner music. .0: News service issued by the Prime Jlnister’s Dpartment: also British Olfiial wireles news. 7.J0: News.' 8.0: Conert programme, featuring studio recitals y the Madrigal Choir, under the direclon of John Tait. The Bosario Bourdon ymphony Orchestra, "Morris Dance” Edward German). 8.5: Madrigal Choir, nder the direction of John Tait. Madrlal For Double Choir (8 parts), "Sing We nd Chaunt It’’ (Pearsall), ’Madrigal” In 5 parts) (“Let Me Careless’’) (Llnley). Glee for Four Voices” ("Once Upon My heek”) (Calcott). Humorous Madrigal: \s Cupid Once Enjoyed His Ease” Friderlci). 8.16: Andreas Welssberger idolin), "Souvenir de Moscow” (Weinigwtl), 8.20: William Crewes (baritone). The Blue Dragoons” (Bussell), "The hristening" (Fisher), "The Smugglers’ ong" (Mullinar), "When the House is sleep" (Haig). "Amber and Amethyst” jarse). 8,33: International String Quarit, "String Quartet No. 6" (Matthew ocke) (1030-1677), "Fantasia, Courante. yre. Sarabande,” 8,43: The Madrigal lioir, under the direction' of John Tail, Id English Madrigal, "Catf Off All Doubt--1 Care" (Byrde), Serenade for 5 Voices vlth flute obbligato), "O By Rivers’’ llsliop). Part songs, “O Happy Eyes’ llgar), "Sir Eglamore" (Gardiner), 8,54; isario Bourdon Symphony Orchestra, Ihepherd’s Dance" fEdward German), "orch Dance” (Edward ' German). 9.0: cather report and station notices, 9.5: t) Comedv Harmonists. "Dwarfs' Yodel mg" (Churchill-Morey). "Ti-pi-Tin" Jrevey). 9,11: Larry Adler (mouth orm), in items bv Irving Berlin. Cheek Cheek." "Isn’t This a Lovely Day?’ fop Hat." 9.17: Effie Atherton. Bobbie )mhor and Comnany. "Burlesque PantoIme; ’Cinderella’ ” (Wallace). 9.23: Orestra Mnspotte, "Cavalier Waltz" (Ned--11, P.2P: The Three Musketeers (noveltv ical). "Ballerina" (Hoofz). • “The Old issoon” (Ash'vn). 0.34; Scott-Wood Acrdinn Barvl, "Daintv D p butante” (Scotland). "Kitten on the Keys” (Confreyi. 10: The Andrews Sisters, "Billy Boy” swfence), 8,43; Louis Levy and his orestra, with vocal refrain, "Music from e Movies" 9,51:.Carr01l Gibbons and a Savoy Hotel Orpheans. "Savoy Jolly [fler." 10,0: Sports summary. 10.10; mce music. JVX. AUCKLAND (880 Kilocycles) ',O p.m,: After-dinner music, a.o: Exults from the Shows. 8,80; "The Woman I White” (episode 2). 8.45; Orchestral ipr hide, 9.0: "Emile Zola," 0.30; The Ad- J itures of Horace Kenny; interlude by I ;mo Scala. 10.0: Further variety. t l

no, DUNEDIN (1140 Kilocycles)

SUNDAY

3YA, tIIUJSTCIIURCU

2YA, WELLINGTON • (570 Kilocycles) 6.50 a.m. Weather report Xor aviators. 7.0: Physical exercises. 7.10: Breakfast session. 10.0: Weather report for aviators. 10.10: Devotional service. 10.25: Recordings. 12.10 p.m.: Running commentary on the events of the Wellington Trotting Club's Spring meeting, relayed from Hutt Park. Note.—From 1.20 to 4.45 these commentaries will be broadcast by Station 2YC. If the last race commences after 5 o'clock, It will also be broadcast by 2YC, 1.0: Weather report for aviators. 1.20: Running description of the All Black trial match, relayed from Alhletic Park. 2.0; Running description of the representative Rugby football match.. North v. South, relayed from Athletic Park. 4.45; Further commentaries on the Wellington Trotting Club’s Spring meeting. Relayed from Hutt Park. 5.0: Children's session. 6.0: Dinner session. 7.0: Official news service issued by the Prime Minister's Department; also British Official wireless news. 7.10: News. 7.25: A review of the All Black trial, and the North v. South match, by the former players. George Aitken and Frank Kilby. 8.0; Concert programme. (R) Louis Levy and his orchestra. “Sailing Along” Film Selection. 8.8: "The Crew of the Maude Woodlock.” A radio comedy by W. Graeme Holder and produced and recorded by the National Broadcasting Service. ‘‘The Vengeance of Hash Jenkins.” 8.5 G: Hans Georg Schutz (accordion), with orchestra. “Rikscha” (Schutz). 9.0; Weather report and I station notices. 9.3; Dance programme. 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Continuation j of dance programme. i 2VC, WELLINGTON (8(10 Kilocycles) 1.30 p.m..: Running commentary on (he events of the Wellington Trotting Club’s Spring meeting, relayed from Hutt Park, j 5.0: Light musical programme, 7.0: After- I dinner music. 8.0: "In Quires and Places Where They Sh'g.” A programme of concerted and solo vocal items with instrumental interludes. 9.0; “Fun for all." An hour of variety entertainment. 10.0: A happy half-hour. IYA, DUNEDIN * (790 Kilocycles)

2.0 p.m.; Selected recordings. 2.30: Sports results. Selected recordings. 4.45: Sports results. 5.0; Children's session. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: News service issued by the Prime Minister’s Department; also British Official wireless news. 7.10: News. 7.20: Talk, by P. J. Twomcy,

"Our Leper Friends at Makosai." 8.0: Light orchestral and ballad concert. (R) The Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra, "Crown Diamonds" Overture (Auber). 8.10; Valda McCurdy (soprano), "Love, X Have Won You" (Ronald). "The Winds Are Calll ,- s" (Ronald). 8.16: The Nevv Queen’s Hall Light Orchestra, "Petite Suite de Concert" (Coleridge Taylor). 8.32: Arthur J. Lungley (baritone), "Courage" (Wood). "My Friend" (Behrend), "At Grendon Fair” (Marie). 8.41: Herman Finck and his orchestra. "Finckiana.” Fantasia on the works of Herman Finck. 8.49: Valda McCurdy (sonrano), "Spring the Fiddler" (Baumer). “Sweet Early Violets" (Sherrington). 8.54; The Boston Promenade Orchestra. "Malaeuena" from "Suite Andahisia” (L<*euona),

‘‘Thunder and Lightning Polka” (Strauss). 0.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5. An Old Time Dance programme by Ted Andrews and the Revellers’ Dance Band. 10.0: Sports summary. 11.22: Dance medley.

7.0 p.m.: After-dinner music. B.O: "Lorna Dcone" (chapter 421. 8.20: Inspector Scott ot Scotland Yard. 0.0: "Loaves from the Diary of a Film Fan.” 0.30: “Listen to the Band.” 10.0: Music and merriment.

9.0 a.m.; Selected recordings. 11.0: Anglican Service, relayed from St. Mary's Church. Mcrivale. Preacher: Canon F. B. Redgrave. Organist and choirmaster: Alfred Worslcy. 12.15 p.m.: Selected recordings. 1.0: Dinner music. 2.0; Selected recordings. 3.0: "Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 in D Major,” played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham. 3,34: Selected recordings. 5,30: Children’s Song Service, conducted by Canon S. Parr. Subject; "The Betrayal and Arrest of the King.” 6.15: Selected recordings. 7.0: Presbyterian Service, relayed from St. Paul's Church. Preacher: Rev. A. C, Watson, M.A. Organist and choirmaster: A. Lilly. A.R.C.O. 8.13: Selected recordings. 8,30: (R) The Queen's Hall Orchestra, condvicted by Sir Henry J. Wood, “The Wasps” Overture (Vaughan Williams). 8.38: Alice Chapman (soprano), “The Bailiff’s Daughter" (Traditional), "Phyllis was a Faire Maidc" (Old English), “When Laura Smiles" (Rosseter). "Love Has Eyes” (Bishop), 8.48: (R) The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Sir Edward Elgar. “Crown of India—Suite. Op. 60.” 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9,5: Noel Newsom L.R.A.M.. A.R.C.M, Pianoforte recital of modern British composers. “Sirg a Song of-Sixpence" (Leo Livens!, "Prelude” (Balfour Gardiner). "Water Wagtail” (Cyril Scott). "Romance in Gh" (York Bowen). "Dance for Harpsichord” (Delius). ‘Oh! Dear! What Can the Matter Be?” (Swinstead). 9.21: Music from Shakespeare: Grand Symphony Orchestra, “A Midsummer Night's Dream" Scherzo (Mondlessohn). 0.25; Mark Raphael (baritone). "O Mistress Mine” (“Twelfth Night”). “Take, O. Take Those Lina Away” (“Measure for Measure”), "Fear no More the Heat of the Sun" ("CymbeUne”) (QuilteD,. 0.31: The Hastings Municipal Orchestra, "Henry VIII. Dances" (German). 0.30; Mark Ranhaol (baritone). "Come Away. Death" ("Twelfth Nieht"). “It was a Lover and His Lass" (“As You Like It"). (Quilter). 9.44: Quentin M, Mac Lean (organ recital), Incidental music from "The Merchant of Venice” (Hosse). 3YL. CHRISTCHURCH 6.0 p.m.: Recordings, 8.30: "’Casanova v selection. 8.30: "The Mystery Club": "The Room of Silent Death." 9.6: "Stealing Through the Classics.” 9,17: A duet from Winnie Melville and Derek Oldham. 9.20: 8.8. C, recorded programme: "Poor Old Snell." 9.35: Millza Korjus (soprano). 9.43: Guila Bustabo (violin). 9.50; From Mozart’s treasure house. IYA, AUCKLAND 2.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 3.30: Arthur Schnabel playing Beethoven’s "Second Piano Concerto," with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. 4.4; Selected recordings. 6.0: Children’s Song Service. 7,0; Congregational Service relayed from Beresford Street Church. Preacher: Rev. Arthur C. Nelson. Organist: George E. Wilson. 0.15: Selected recordings. 8.30: "Music from the Theatre”

“Manon." Massenet's charming opera, based on the famous French classic novel of the same name by the Abbe Prevost. IYX, AUCKLAND 0.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: “Around the Bandstand": Band music with vocal interludes. 2YA, WELLINGTON ’ 0.0 a.m : Selected recordings. 10,0; Weather report for aviators. 11.0: Congregational Church Service, relayed from Cambridge Terrace Congregational Church. Preacher; Rev. Arthur Muriel, Organist: T Foresythc. 12.15 p.m.; Selected recordings. 1.0: Weather report for aviators. Dinner session. 2.0: The Brandenburg Concertos of Johann Sebastian Bach. “No. 1 in F Major," played by the Ecolc Normale Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Alfred Cortot, 2.15: Selected recordings. 3.0: “Voices ol Celebrities: Past and Present." 3.20; Selected recordings. 6.0: Children's Song Service. 7.0: Anglican Church Service, relayed from St. Thomas's' Anglican Church. Wellington South. Preacher: Rev. C. V. Rooke. Organist and Choirmaster: A. J. Crisp. 8.15; Selected recordings. 8.30: (R) Sir Henry J. Wood conducting tire British Symphony Orchestra. "Molly on the Shore" (Grainger). 8.35; A recital by Thomas L. Thomas (baritone) "De Glory Road" (Wolfe), “Dedication” (Franz). “Sea Rapture.” 8.45: Richard Junior Farrell (pianist), presents, "Toccata Etude" (Rubinstein). "Rush Hour in Hong Kong" (Chasins), "Soiree de Vienne” (Strauss). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: "Romeo and Juliet.” A play by William Shakespeare, produced by file National Broadcasting Service. 2VC. WELLINGTON 0.0 p.m.: Selected recordings. 8.30: The Rosario Bourdon Symphony: Light orchestra) music by Rosario Bourdon and his Orchestra. 9.0: From the concert hall. 4VA, DUNEDIN 2.0 p.m,; Selected recordings. 2.30; Tschaikovski's "Symphony No. 4 in F Minor” Op. 36, played by Willem Mengleberg and the Concertgebouw Orchestra. 3.10: Selected recordings. 5.30: Children’s Song Service. 6.15: Selected recordings. 7.0: Roman Catholic Service, relayed from St. Joseph’s Cathedral. 8,15: Selected recordings. 8,30; A 8.8. C. recorded programme. "The Mist of the Years.” Devised and produced by John Gough, Music arranged by lan White. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: An hour with Richard Wagner. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Leopold Ludwig, "Tannhauser” Overture. 9.17: The 8.8. C. Choir, "Pilgrims' Chorus." 9.21: Heinrich Schlusnus (baritone). “O, Star of Eve.” 0.25: The 8.8. C. Choir, "Grand March." 9.29: The London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert Coates, "The Valkyrie” Fire Music. 9.37: Marjorie Lawrence (soprano), "Ho-Yo-To-Ho”—Brunnhllde’s Battle' Cry. 0.45: Grand Xrmler Choir.’Thc Flying Dutchman “Spinning Chorus." 9.40: Francis Bussell (tenor). "Steersman’s Song." 9.53; Chorus and Orchestra of the Berlin State Opera House. •'Sailors’ Chorus." 9.66; The Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York, conducted by Arturo Toscanini, "Prelude to Act 3 of Lohengrin.” 4YO, DUNEDIN

6.0 p.m,: Selected recordings. 830: ‘'Wandering with the West Wind." 9.0: “Artists from the Antipodes,” presenting some well-known Australian and New Zealand recorded artists and combinations.