TUNE IN ON THE WORLD

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7133, 3 February 1930, Page 5

TUNE IN ON THE WORLD

MECHANICAL MUSIC. THE INFLUENCE OF BROADCASTING.' The very vexed question of whether broadcasting constitutes a menace to the professional musician has been a subject of discussion ever since broadcasting was introduced, and the fight between societies of musicians and broadcasting is still an undecided battle in many countries. In America, where broadcasting had a considerable start over our own country, it had seemed that some sort of a understanding between the musician and the broadcaster had been reached; but the arrival of the "talkies” and the great advances which have been made towards perfecting the gramophone record appear to have been watched with the greatest anxiety by professional musicians in the United States. Recently large advertising spaces in American newspapers were taken by the American Federation of Musicians, with the object of trying to arrest the encroachment of mechanical music where it is feared the new art will oust the professional musician. Some of the arguments put forward by the American Federation of Musicians do not seem to ring true, as, for instance, a statement that The cultural menace of this movement to supplant real music with the flat, savourleas monotony of mechanical music becomes apparent upon a moment's thought.” Is it not the generally accepted view that broadcasting resulted in a vast extension of the musical public and an enlarging of the appetite of the world for music of all.kinds? The extension of the use of what is described as mechanical music must result in less employment amongst individual performing musicians, but may not this prove to be only a temporary objection and not one which is likely to have any lasting effect to the detriment of music generally, nor to the disadvantage of the community, for surely the increased taste for music must stimulate the demand for creative musicians in every grade of the art.

WIRELESS LICENCES IN AUSTRALIA. Tie figures showing tie wireless licences in. force at December 31, have now been released by tie PostmasterGeneral, and siow as follows: — New South Wales .. .. .. 107,503 Victoria .. *••• 144,141 Queensland •• 22,449 South Australia .. ... >.■ .. 25,481 West Australia .. .. .. .. 4,727 Tasmania 5,680 Total for Commonwealth 309,981 A 'review of tie figures for the year just ended shows that New South Wales increased 15,794 and has now raised its ratio to 1000 of population from 37.8 Oto 44.00. Victoria increased 2,251 and raised, its quota from 81.11 to 81.30 during tie twelve months and still retains its record of tie largest number of licences in proportion to population, of any country in tie world. Other increases for tie jear were: South Australia, 3,301, increasing its quota from 38.11 to 43.8. West Australia put on 899 and. increased its ratio from 9.60 to 11.50, while Tasmania, with an increase in licences of 1,563, went up from 19.80 to 26.70. The State of Queensland is the only one in which a decrease for the year is shown, losing 2,775 licences and bringing its quota down from 27.70 to 24.50. The whole Commonwealth, however, increased by 21,093 licences during 1929, of which 15,794 were gained in New South Wales, and the ratio in relation to the whole population of Australia, has gone up from 45.90 to 48.60 which is believed to place Australia fifth in the ratio of licenses to population, in comparison with other countries. When it is borne in mind that the Commonwealth passed through such a severe period during 1929, and that this was greatly aggravated by industrial troubles during the latter six 'months, it is felt that the progress shown demonstrates the continued popularity of broadcasting in Australia. Therd are 21,629,107 radio receiving sets in the world according to the precise estimate of the Electrical Equipment Division of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The authors of this delicate computation state that, there is one receiving set for every 12|. persons in the United States/ one for every 53 in Europe, and one for every 88 in the world

In these columns an endeavour will be made to supply wireless news with occasional helpful information on how to care for the receiving set and its attendaut apparatus. It is not proposed to venture Into details of a technical nature.

TO-DAY’S WIRELESS PROGRAMME

IYA, AUCKLAND. (90 OKilocycles). Silent day. 2YA, WELLINGTON. (720 Kilocycles). 3.0, studio items; 3.30 ' and 4.30, sports summary; 5.0, children’s session; 6.0, dinner music session; 7.0, news session, market reports and sports results; 7.40, lecturette, Mr. H. C. South, ‘Books—Grave and Gay'; 8.0, a special programme by the Wellington Orpheus Musical Society and the 2YA Orchestra; orchostra, ‘Overture Solennclle’; 8.9, choral, Wellington Orpheus Musical Society, ‘ Oh, Who will O ’er the Downs So Free?’; 8.13, pianoforte, Miss Hazel Rowe, (a) ‘Negro Banco’ (b) ‘Flirtation in a Chinese Garden’; 8.20, Orpheus Musical Society /Welcome to May’; 8.28, orchestra, ‘Roma Suite’; 8.36, Orpheus Musical Society, ‘Huntsmen’s Chorus’; 8.40, flute, Mr. L. W. Rothwell, ‘Papillon’; 8.45, baritone, Mr. H. B. Robb, (a) ‘lnvietus’ (b) ‘Youth’; 8.51, Orpheus Musical Society, ‘Barcarolle’; 5.55, orchestra, ‘Lac des Cygnes’; 9.5, Orpheus Musical Society, ‘Spring Comes Laughing’; 9.9, baritone, Mr. George Gray, (a) ‘L’Ebreo’ (b) ‘The Two Grenadiers’; 9.16, trumpet with orchestra, Mr. S. Bernard, orchestra, ‘Violets’; orchestra, ‘Scarf Dance’; 9.24, Orpheus Musical Society, ‘Bridal Chorus’ from ‘Der Freischuts’; 9.25, mezzo-soprano, Miss Marjorie Bennie, (a) ‘Maori Slumber Song’ (b) ‘Winds in the Trees’; 9.32, string quartet, ‘Theme and Variations —Emperor Quartet,’ Op. 76, No. 3; 9.36, Orpheus Musical Society /If Fortune had made Me the Master’; 9.40, string quartet, ‘Londonderry Air’; 9.44, male members of the Wellington Orpheus Musical Soeiety, (a) ‘Clear the Track: Let the Bulgine Run’ (b ! ) ‘Hullaballo’; 9.50, Wellington Orpheus Musical Society, ‘Sleep, Gentle Lady’; 9.54, orchestra, (a) ‘Consolation’ (b) ‘Turkish Patrol.’

3YA, CHRISTCHURCH. (980 Kilocycles). 3.0, gramophone recital; 4.25, sports results; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner session; 7.0, news session; 7.15, talk, Mr. E. J. Bell, ‘Book Review’; 8.0, band programme by Woolston band assisted by 3YA artists; march, band, ‘Sons of the Wild’; humoresque, band, ‘March of the Mannequins’; 8.11, mezzo-soprano, Miss Khura HartStewart, (a) ‘I Picture Thee a Flower’ (b) ‘Wind in the Trees’; 8.17, instrumental, ‘Trio in D (Op. 352) —Allegro Moderato Andantino and Rondo’; 8.27, humorous recitation, Mr. J. J. Fleweliyn, ‘The Sleeping Beauty’; 8.32, selection, band, ‘La Traviata’; 8.42, baritone, Mr. A. Gladstone Brown (a) ‘Sometimes in Summer’ (b) ‘The Sea Gipsy’; 8.48, organ, Eddie Dunstedter, ‘Parade of the Wooden Soldiers’; 8.51, popular song, Miss Lottie Colville, ‘Laugh and Sing’; 8.55, trombone, Banclsman E. Williams (soloist) and band, ‘Drinking’; 9.3, orchestral, ‘Follow Thru’; 9.6, mezzo-soprano, Miss Khura Hart-Stewart, ‘The FourLeaf Clover’; 9.10, instrumental, ‘Spring Song’, ‘Softly Awakes My Heart’, ‘Three Fours Valse’; 9-20, humorous variety, band, ‘Keel Row’; 9.33, baritone, Mr. A. Gladstone Brown ‘Sons of the Sea’; 9.37, organ, Eddie Dunstedter, ‘Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life’; 9.40, male chorus, ‘My Old Kentucky Home’; 9.43, cornet, Bandsman R. Ohlsen and band, ‘Come, Sing to Me’; 9.48, popular songs, Miss Lottie Volville, ‘Spreading the News’ (b) ‘Always’; 9.54, foxtrot, band, ‘Utah’; match, band, ‘The Mouse.’

4YA, DUNEDIN. (650 Kilocycles). 3.0, gramophono items; 4.25, sporting results; 5.0, children’s hour; 6.0, dinner session; 7.0, news session; 8.0, orchestra, ‘A May Day’; 8,9, bass, Mr. W. B. Lambert, ‘Muleteer of Mulaga’; 8.13, recital, Mr. D. E. Dali, ‘Buckingham’s Farewell’; 8.19, orchestra, (a) ‘Menuet Pompadour’ (b) ‘Pizzicato’; 8.26, mezzo-contralto, Miss Helen Roy, (a) ‘Tho Turn of the Year’ (b) ‘The Woodpecker’; 8.33, piano, Mr. A. W. Pettitt, (a) ‘Pierette’ (b) ‘Danse Cieole’; 8.40, chorus, vocal gems from ‘The Arcadians’; 8.44, violin and organ, Chas. Williams, ‘Melody in F’; 8.48, tenor, Mr. A. A. Mitchell, ‘Angel of Light’; 8.52, orchestra, ‘Amorita’; 9.2, bass, Mr. W. B. Lambert, (a) ‘Harlequin’ (b) 'The Carol Singers’-; 9.9, orchestra, (a) tango —‘Joselita’ (b) ‘Ballet Motif’; 9.15, recital, Mr. D E. Dali, ‘The Burial of Little Nell’; 9.20, ’cello, Mr. Phil Palmer, ‘Humoreslte’; 9.25, mezzo-contralto, Miss Helen Roy, ‘Wo Wandered’; 9.29, orchestra, ‘Danco of the Hours’; Gems from ‘Veronique’; 9.37, violiu and organ, Chas. Williams, ‘Somewhere a Voice is Calling’; 9.45, tenor, Mr. R. A. Mitchell, (a) ‘The Old Refrain’ (b) ‘The Laud o’ the Leal’; 9.51, orchestra, (a) ‘The Dervishes’ (b) concert valse, ‘Waves of tho Danube.’ 2FC, SYDNEY. We are never quite sure what the weather is going- to be like outside in Sydnev, but inside 2FC Studio on Monday night the Sunshine Players see to it that the elements are favourable. They are with us to-night in song and jest. 8.0, Sunshine Players, in costume comedy rallies; opening by the Studio Orchestra in ‘Light Cavalry’ Fred Whaite; 8.5, the Sunshine Players,

‘Ring up the Curtain’; 8.8, after ringing up the curtain Dayne Roland sings ‘Laugh, Clown, Laugh’; 8.11, our Bert Gilbert describes ‘Ragbag’s Race’; 8.15, following this description, May Foulds sings ‘Egyptian Moon’; 8.18, Si Meredith and Maudie Stewart have a little discussion, and at 8.28, Hudson Stanley chips in with ‘An Old-Fash-ioned Locket’; 8.31, wo now come to a novelty musical number by the Studio Orchestra, ‘The Circus,’ which almost makes you imagine that you can hear the horses galloping round and the clowns cracking jokes; 8.36, having now settled down again after the excitement of the circus, we have Goodio Reeve, who entertains; 8.40, once again Si Meredith and Walter George discuss ‘General Subjects’; 8.52, Florence Page and Hudson • Stanley in a comedy sketch, ‘To Bo Sure’; 5.58, our comedienne, Maude Stewart, asks you ‘Why Am I Always the Bridesmaid?’; 9.3, Goodie Reeve and John Stuart ‘ln Everyday Questions’; 9.8, finale ensemble, ‘A Wonderful World’; 9.11, tho country man’s weather session; the Studio Orchestra will play the overturo ‘ln Sunny Spain’; 9.16, the musical comedy, ‘ln Gay Seville’ characters:—Remando, Dayne Roland; Fernando, Bert Gilbert; Uncle Chatten, Walter George; Tom Wrigley, John Stuart; Frank Spearman, Hudsou Stanley; Pedro (a Guide and Bandit), M. Ckenoweth; Timothy Bodfish, to Tom; Wrigley, Si Meredith; Tonia, May Fouldes; Lolita, Florence Page; Angelea, Goodie Reeve; Frasquita, Maudie Stewart. The action takes place outside an Inn in Seville; musical numbers, Ensemble, ‘Spain is the Land’ full company; character song and chorus, ‘A Gay Caballero, Bert Gilbert; solo and ensemble, ‘Chiquita’ Florence Page; ballad, ‘Dreamy Seville, May Fouldes; trio, ‘A Doggy Ditty’ Si Meredith, J. Stuart, W. George; song and chorus, ‘The Toreador, (‘Carmen’), Dayne Roland; song and chorus, Goodie Reeve; comedy song, Si Meredith; duet, ‘My Tonia’, May Fouldes; song and chorus, ‘When the Real Thing Comes My Way’ Hudson Stanley; duet, ‘Dream House’ Florence Page and Hudson Stanley; comedy incident, ‘The Bull-fighter’ Si Meredith; finale, ‘Gay Seville’ full company; 10.20, Cec. Morrison and his band.

2BL, SYDNEY. Monday might's feature at 2BL is a good programme of band music, which invariably finds favour • with every type of listener. The New South Wales Tramway Band has prepared attractive items for 'to-night; there are songs by Frank Botham, a humorous touch in the sketches by Molly Kirwin, Al. Hammett, and his saxophone are witL us, and the La Favortia Dua are combining happily in popular melodies 8.0, the New South Wales Tramway Band, (a) ‘March, ‘Everready’ (b) fantasia, ‘‘A Summer Day’; 8.15, Frank Botham, baritone, ‘Non Piu Andrai’; S.lB, Al. Hammett, saxophone sole, ‘Valse Leone’; 8.21, the New South Wales Tramway Band, overture, ‘Boccassio’; 8.33, Molly Kirwin, in a sketch; 8.43, La Favorita duo, popular vocalist and violinist, (a) violin solo, ‘My Heaven Is Home’ (b) song, ‘Dance Away the Night’ (c) violin, ‘Breakaway’; 8.50, the New South Wales Tramway Band, (a) waltz, ‘For Ever True’ (b) foxtrot, ‘On the Kiviera’; 9.5, Frank Botham, baritone, (a) ‘The Old Superb’ (b) ‘Fair House of Joy’; 9.12, Al. Hammett, saxophone solos, (a) ‘Sax Scandals’ (b) ‘Saxaprobia’; 9.19, Wallace Nelson will give a talk; 9.34, weather information for the man on the land; 9.36, La Favorita duo, popular vocalist and violinist, (a) song ‘Love’ (b) violin, ‘Outside’ (c) ‘My Song of the Nile’; 9.43, a snappy little sketch by Molly Kirwin; 9.53, Al. Hammett, saxophone solo, ‘Mighty Lak’ a-Rose’; 9.56, Frank Botham,, baritone, ‘Oh, Could I But Express in Song’; 9.59, the New South Wales Tramway Band, (a) polka, ‘The Star of the North’ (b) sketch, ‘ln Ole Kentucky* (c) ‘Andante in G’; 10.15, reproduced recital of ampico pianoforte, 10.25, late news from ‘The Sun’ and ‘News.’

RADIO NOTES. Mr. H, C. South will give his usual fortnightly talk on books this evening at 2YA. A special programme presented by the Wellington Orpheus Musical Society in association with the 2YA Orchestra under Signor Truda will follow at 8 o’clock.' Some very line choral work may be anticipated by listeners. The conductor of tho Society is Mr. Harison Cook. The soloists for the evening will bo Miss Eileen Higgins (mezzo-soprano), Miss Marjorie Bennie (contralto), Mr. H. R. Eobb (baritone) and Mr. Geo Gray. The orchestral programme for the evening will include selections by Tschaikowsky, Bizet, Chaminade and Liszt, concluding with the ‘Turkish Patrol’ by Michaelis. Solo instrumental numbers will comprise pianoforte items by Miss Hazel Rose, a flute solo by Mr. L. W. Rothwell and a trumpet solo by Mr. S. Bernard. At 7.15 there will be the fortnightly book review by Mr. E. J. Bell from 3YA. The Woolston Band, now playing right up to contest form, will provide the main portion of SYA’s programme this evening. Included among the items will be two marches, ‘Sons of the Wild’ and ‘The Mouse,’ a humorous variation, ‘The Keel Row.’ There will bo trombone solo by Bandsman E. Williams, with band accompaniment, ‘Drinking,’ and a. cornet solo by Bandsman R. Ohlson, also with band accompaniment. Further instrumental numbers on the evening’s programme

Should any reader desire information on any point on which he may not be clear, an endeavour ’ will be made through these columns to help him with his problem. Address inquiries to the Radio Editor.

wlli be contributed by the Christchurch Broadcasting Trio. There will be a fine supporting vocal programme, the singers will be Miss Khura Hart-Stew art, Miss Lottie Colville and Mr. A. Gladstone Brown, while humorous numbers will be given by Mr. J. J. Flcwcllyn. Tho Orchestral Sextette, now a very popular combination at 4YA, is to play some excellent numbers on this programme. Included on the samo programme is Mr. W. B. Lambert, who is tho possessor of a very rich bass voice. He will song ‘The Muleteer of Malaga,’ ‘Harlequin’ and ‘The Carol Singers.’ The last is a new number composed by Sterndalo Bennett. Mr. Dali, the dramatic actor of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club, who recently gave his first radio performance with’ splendid effect, is to recite ‘Buckingham’s Farewell’ (by Shakespeare) and ‘The Burial of Little Nell’ (by Charles Dickens). Silent day at IYA. RADIO BROADCASTING ARTISTS. Rev. J. Robertson, of Oxford Terrace, Baptist Church, soon to leave New Zealand to take charge of one of the largest Baptist Churches in Sydney. One of the most popular of broadcasting preachers. As “Storyman” his voico is well known to 3YA radio children.

RECENT ADVANCES IN RADIO RECEPTION. TALKS FROM 2EL. Ross A. Hull, M.1.R.E., is to begin & series of talks on modern radio reception from 2BL on Thursday, February 6. It might well be anticipated tha„t the talks will be free from the usual dry technicalities sinco Mr Hull, unlike most radio technicians, has never permitted his knowledge of theory to swamp his appreciation of the fundamental object of radio—the reproduction of music and entertainment in general. Circuits, coils, condensers and all the other gadgets are to him of importance only as a meant to an end; the end being tho perfect reproduction of music. Mr Hull is one of those lucky fellows who know 3 so much about his subject that ho can afford to take liberties with it. His talks, while they will demonstrate the latest methods of radio reception, will yet bo interesting and intelligible even to those who know nothing about receiver construction and design and who never want to know anything. Mr Ross Hull is one of the most widely experienced radio engineers in Australia. In Melbourne eight years ago (long before there were any real broadcasting stations) he was transmitting gramophone records and programmes from his privato station to a handful of listeners. Not long after he was in nightly conversation with almost every country of the world. In 1926 ho wont ta America to study radio activities. Falling well on his feet he was there appointed as director of tho experimental laboratory of the American Radio Relay League-where ho was in chai-ge of the technical development programme, the results of which have influenced experimental radio technique the world over. In that position he was in constant touch with America’s foremost radio inventors and scientists and had the opportunity of visiting all the important radio manufacturing plants and laboratories. After three years in the United States he returned to Sydney last year when he became the technical editor of “Wireless Weekly” where his sound knowledge and wide experience, has done much to influence the development of modern, radio receivers,