ON THE AIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26115, 30 March 1946, Page 3

ON THE AIR

BROADCASTING REVIEW By Why are the Commercial stations more successful than the National ones in attracting listeners? Although the National programmes are only too often extremely bad, one must admit that they are the poor best offered to us. The Commercial stations, however, are severely handicapped in having their hands tied by advertising programmes over which they have little real control. The great majority of listeners, nevertheless, prefers listening to the Commercial stations, and the reasons are not far to seek.

From the whole tenor of the Commercial programmes one gets the impression that these stations are really interested in broadcasting. It might be no more than a job of work for the officials, but it is work into which they put all they have. Their success depends on the number of listeners they can interest enough to listen to their programmes, and they appear determined to be successful. The Commercial shows are always alive, and though we might often think that their vim and vigour is misdirected, it certainly keeps things mo\||ng.

“ I weep, for it reminds me so. . Now, take the National stations. On the whole, their tone is rather like the ghostly rustlings of dry leaves. We find a body of officials who have to put in certain hours at an office or studio, and who wished they could stay at home by the fire. The announcing is generally dull and lifeless; the programmes, of 4YO particularly, are often thrown together with no other consideration than filling in some tedious time because the station must be on the air, and so it had better fill 'in a few hours with an ill-assorted medley. There is only rarely a real attempt to keep any class of listeners interested in the broadcast. Exceptions there are, of course, and the finest is Christchurch’s 3YL. But many listeners have to rely on their home stations for their entertainment and cannot roam from station to station. Dunedin listeners particularly, are getting a rough spin, as 4YO is not pulling its weight, but that does not worry our N.B.S. officials. This little band of tired men, rich in years, perhaps, but poor in judgment, is quite content to go on making promises to bestir itself sometime in the future. Yet that time never comes, and we are always fobbed off with more promises. Do you think that so far this is destructive criticism? It is meant to be, because the N.B.S. is so bad on the whole that only a radical change in its policy will give listeners what they are entitled to as the employers of the whole organisation. The first change should concern the personnel: an infusion of younger blood might pep up the moribund National stations. A little more enthusiasm is needed in all departments, and at the same time some knowledge of the arts. When we hear a badly arranged musical programme, or a badly produced play, then we can only become more than ever exasperated because such things need not happen. We could also do with rather more imagination in our National stations. The same little round of supposed favourites is done to death week in, week out. The routine is preserved, and the listener is driven to accepting the third-rate, or has to go without the service for which he pays. The National stations could improve beyond recognition, but the will seems to be lacking. Listen to the technique of the Commercial stations, and compare it with the uninspired dullness of the National ones. Is the little band of tired men who lay down the National stations’ policy too firmly entrenched to be shifted? Is there any hope for improvement unless new blood, new ideas, find room in broadcasting? Judge for yourself. "Ye happy choristers. . .”

Dunedin’s Lyric Choir, conducted by Mr Leech, gave an excellent recital last Monday from 4YA. The choir had obviously gone to great trouble, not only in rehearsing its programme, but also in arranging a varied half-hour of vocal music which was most satisfying. More is the pity that the choir did not get the support it deserved from station 4YA. Between the items sung by the Lyric Choir, 4YA simply interposed recorded music instead of using its orchestra. There was a chance of having a wholly “ live ” programme, and giving our “ glorified gramophones ” a rest. However, the choir had to suffer and make do with a third-rate arrangement enforced on them by the station. There are sure to be many explanations by 4YA why the orchestra was not employed with the choir, but explanations are no excuse in this case. The fact remains that 4YA’s bungling deprived listeners of a wholly satisfactory evening, and our choir had to suffer for the station’s lack of imagination and taste. Next time any choir goes on the air, and this happens rerely enough, it should be made the occasion for a miniature music festival by artists both from outside the station and from the station’s staff itself. Congratulations to the Lyric Choir and its conductor for the fine singing we heard that night. If you protest enough, then the N.B.S. will not dare to treat you again the way it did this week. Fun and Games

This Saturday’s programme will be high-lighted by the cricket commentaries on the New Zealand v. Australia game, right through the afternoon from 4YA. At eight o’clock in the evening, 4YA broadcasts the first act of the “ Gondoliers,” and you will find endless enjoyment in this Gilbert and Sullivan opera. If you are looking for classical music, however, then try station 2YC which broadcasts compositions by Beethoven and Bach between 8 and 10. The Bach Concerto for two pianos in particular is not very often heard. Tomorrow afternoon we can hear the story of Tom Moore, “who gave immortality to the native music of Ireland,” from 4YA at 4.15. The greatest treat of the week, however, comes in the evening from 4YO. Listen first to 4YA at 8, to hear a Respighi suite of “Ancient Airs and Dances.” Despite this title, Respighi is a modern composer who died only 10 years ago. The hard brilliance in technigue of a Respighi composition is rather exciting, and the warm contralto of Miss Mary Pratt who follows with songs by Arne, Purcell, and Gluck, will be an excellent contrast. Then turn to 4YO at 8.30 for the Mass for Five Voices by William Byrd. This mass by the greatest of the Tudor musicians is the pick of the week, and it will be quite unforgettable to experience Byrd’s mystic vision. After the mass wait till 9.22, when 4YA gives the great A minor quartet by Beethoven. You will notice the direct kinship of Byrd’s music with the slow movement “in the Lydian mode ” of the Beethoven quartet. Charivaria

A fascinating series of talks on “ Parliamentary Humour ” is being broadcast on Friday evenings by 4YA. Dunedin listeners will have been interested to hear a week ago that Sir Maui Pomare, the great Maori parliamentarian, claimed Scottish kinship. His grandfather once found a Scottish sea-captain very tasty as the main course at a dinner party. Sir Maui Pomare therefore claimed to be, if not a Scot by extraction, at least Scottish by absorption.

On Saturday night at 8 o’clock station 4ZB will broadcast the play “Savage Encounter,” written and produced by Norman Corwin. It should be an outstanding production.

Last Monday, both the official N.B.S. programme and the 4YA announcer did special honour to the Scottish settlement of Dunedin, by announcing an “Agnus Dei” as “Angus Dei.” Could that be classed as blasphemy, I wonder?

Here is a treat in store for us from 4YA on Monday night at eight o’clock: Beethoven’s “ Emperor ” Concerto will be broadcast, with a discussion of it by Professor Galway. Something not to be missed.

The Dest is the cheapest in ihe long run —order Kaitangata coal.—Advt.