OVER THE AIR

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 12

OVER THE AIR

TIBBETT AND OTHER TRIFLES ♦ IBy LISTENER] It may have cost a lot of money, or it may have cost nothing. I don’t know, but any way the National Broadcasting Service is to be congratulated on its enterprise in obtaining the engagement of Lawrence Tibbett last Sunday evening for a short recital through all the national stations. We know that Mr Tibbett is a great artist, and as he and Mr Stewart Wille were scheduled to occupy half-an-hour only of studio time, it -was rather a pity that the singer should have wasted part of it with “When I’m Looking at You.” However, that was his own affair, and criticism may be silenced, perhaps, by the pleas- | ure of hearing Mr Tibbett for the | last time before he sailed. In its way his recital was a model of radio informality. He seemed to bring the unseen audience into his fold as units in which he had a personal interest and which he was specially anxious to please. I asked a ZB fan if she had heard the recital (which was boomed politely in “The Man In the Street” session on Sunday evening), but I was surprised to find that she had not been interested enough to switch over for even 30 minutes. Worse still, she countered by asking me if I had heard Uncle Somebody’s talk about the life pf the Controller of Commercial Broadcasting, to her mind the evening’s most powerful attraction. “And it’s all being done without ‘Uncle Scrim’ knowing,” she said. Anybody, I believe would have been able to enjoy the Tibbett recital, but thousands of listeners probably did not trouble about it. For my own part I should like to have Mr Tibbett singing that little negro song “Shortnin’ Bread” as long aj he liked to keep going. Excellent Reading On Wednesday evening I heard Mr O. L. Simmance continue his reading session from 3YA. “Northanger Abbey” is still going strong, and I hope many listeners like it. The bouquet, however, goes for the reading of a passage from “Hakluyt’s Voyages.” It was the description of the stormy journey undertaken by the Worshipful Mr Thomas Candish, Esq., and everybody who heard Mr Simmance would have been delighted by his performance. At the same time I must suggest that another Jacobs story would oe more than welcome. Mr Simmance has the gift for playing characters in his readings and his technique is perfectly suited for the simple but diverting narratives of Mr Jacobs. Further, I maintain that the short story should have a major part in radio readings. The week before Mr Simmance gave his audience one of Edgar Allan Poe’s tales and it was excellent. War in the Air The inevitable nervous strain of th last two or three weeks has not been lessened in any way by radio. E :perts from near and far have been burdening the ether with their morbid speculations about the future, and the Continental short-wave stations heard in this part of the world have been putting out propaganda of the most unsettling kind. If war ever does come listeners know now what to expect. Perhaps there is not much virtue in emulating the ostrich, but I feel in a time of stress such as we have been through, the broadcasting stations should exert themselves a little more to keep the minds of the populace off immediate troubles. Last Sunday morning, for example, I made a personal covenant with myself to listen to no news broadcast from far or near. I intended to soothe my nerves with music and pick out items that might keep one’s pecker up. However, like most good resolutions, this one was broken, and soon after 1 o’clock in the afternoon I was in the international welter again. Perhaps it is fair to add while on this subject that the regular commentators on international affairs from the national stations all kept their heads well during the crisis, and put out comment which should have been helpful to the public generally. Excellent talks, too, came from Australia, where notable delegates to the British Commonwealth Relations Conference were lured to the microphone. The most distinguished of the batch was probably that of Sir Alfred Zimmern. British Features Needed In the programme for the coming week, there is listed for Wednesday evening from 2YA “The Strange Story of Louis de Rougement,” a dramatic narrative written for the British Broadcasting Corporation by Thomas Potter. It has been produced in New Zealand by the National Broadcasting Service. “Now, then,” it has, been suggested here several times before that the National Broadcasting Service should obtain a continuous supply of matter from the British /Broadcasting Corporation, and it may be appropriate to give further consideration to the point in viev> of a discussion which took place this week at the conference of the Dominion Federation of School Committees’ Associations. Some delegates were compelled to resort to the most colourful adjectives in describing certain .features heard from all classes of stations within the Dominion. Anybody will know which service offends most, but the adjusting of •blame is not the important matter. Certain of the productions are all enraged school committee members said they were, some of them being, I should say, considerably lower than the old “penny dreadful” level in literature. In justice to the radio authorities, it has to be admitted that great difficulty must exist in filling the programme schedules, and it is almost inevitable that productions of a doubtful kind will be grasped at in despair. Nevertheless, it is most unfortunate that America should be such a potent influence. The radio public in Great Britain is not served with this blood-curdling diet, and yet successful efforts have been made by the British Broadcasting Corporation to serve all tastes. Even a casual glance at British pro*

PROGRAMMES AND COMMENT

BROADCASTING TO-DAY’S PROGRAMMES 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH (720 Kilocycles) 7 0 a.m.: Breakfast session. 10.0: Recordings. 10.30: Devotional service. 10.45: Recordings. 12 noon: Lunch music. 1.0 p.m.: Week-end weather report. 2.0: Recordings. 2.45 (approx.): Commentary of representative Rugby match, Canterbury v Wellington, at Lancaster Park. 4,30: 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: Election address from Mauku Hall. Auckland, by A. C. Saxton, Independent member for Franklin (from IYA). 10.0; Sports summary. 10.15: Dance music. 3YL, CHRISTCHURCH (1200 Kilocycles) 2.45 p.m.: Recordings. 5.0: Recordings. 7.0: After-dinner music. 8.0; Chimes. (R) "Homestead on the Rise,” No. 8. 8.15: (R) “The Fourth Form at St. Percy's.” episode 22. 8.28: I (R) Reginald Foort (organ), (a) "Schon Rosmarin” (Kreisler); (b) "When Your Hair Has Turned to Silver” (de Rose). 8.35; "Coronets of England: Queen Elizabeth.” episode 22. 9.0; Weather report and station notices. 9.5: 3YA Orchestra, conducted by Will Hutchens, Mus. Bac., “Hide and Seek” Selection (Goodhart. Hoffman). 9.15: Chatterboxes in original patter sketch, "Spare Parts” (Ryan). 9.25; 3YA Orchestra, “The Jester at the Wedding”; (1) March. “The Princess Arrives”: (2) Minuet. "The Dance of the Pages": (3) Humoresque, “The Jester”; (4) Valse, “The Dance of the Orange Blossoms”; (5) Caprice, “The Princess”; (6) Finale. “The Princess and the Jester” (Coates). 9.40: Chatterboxes: Patter sketch. "What a Night” (Ryan); Song. ”1 Like-Toffee, But I Can’t Stickjaw” (Walsh). 9.52; 3YA Orchestra. (a) "Pattering Feet” Intermezzo (Dreier); (b) “Danse Bretonne” (Wider). 10.0: Favourite entertainers. IYA, AUCKLAND ‘ (650 Kilocycles) 2.0 p.m.: Recordings. 3.0: Running commentarv on Rugby football match at Eden Park. 3.15 and 4.30: Sports results. 5.0; Children’s hour. 6.0: Dinner music. 7.0: Government and overseas news (from 2YA). 7.10 (approx.): News. 7.45: Talk, ‘Territorial Training and the Youth.” 8.0: Election address from Mauku Hall. Auckland, by A. C. Saxton. Independent member for Franklin. 10.0; Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. IYX, AUCKLAND (880 Kilocycles) i 7.0 p.m.; After-dinner music. 8.0: Concert programme. Studio Orchestra, conducted by Harold Baxter. “A Trip to Toy Town” Suite (Ashby). 8.9: Gwenda Weir (soprano), “Cuckoo Clock" (Grant Schaeffer); "Weep You No More”: "My True Love Hath My Heart” (Keel): “Fuchsia Tree” (Quilter); “Vision” (Cameron). 8.21: Aileen Warren (piano), “Pulcjnello" (Besiy); "Serenade d’Automne” (Chaminade); “The Carnival” (Grieg). 8.33: Studio Orchestra, "The Grenadiers” Waltz (Waldteufel). 8.39: George Greenaway (baritone), "Sea Fever’ (Ireland); “My Sheepdog and’l” (Thayer): "Wandering the. King’s Highway (Coward): “Linden Lea” (Vaughan. Williams). 8.51: Studio Orchestra, "Chelsea China” Suite IBesly). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Ringside commentary on professional wrestling match at’ Auckland Town Hall. 10.0: Variety. 2YA. WELLINGTON (570 Kilocycles) 6.50 a.m.; Weather report for aviators. Weather forecast for orchardists _in Motueka district. 7.0: Breakfast session. 10.0: Weather report for aviators. 10.10: Devotional service. 10.25: Recordings. 10.45: Talk to women (Margaret). 12 noon: Running description of Wellington Trotting Club's spring meeting at Hutt Park. (Note: If last race run after 5 p.m.. description will be broadcast by station 2YC.) 1.0 p.m.: Weather report for aviators. Week-end weather report and frost forecast for Canterbury and Otago. o.o; Children’s session. 6.0: Dinner session. 70: Government and overseas news. 7.10 (approx.); News. 8.0: Election address from Mauku Hall. Auckland, by A. C. Saxton, Independent member for Franklin (from IYA). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10. Dajjce programme. 2VC, WELLINGTON (840 Kilocycles) 3.0 p.m.: Running description of representative Rugby match, Wellington ,B v. Wanganui. 5.0: Light music. 1.0: Afterdinner music. 8.0; Chimes. Recorded popular programme. “Ports of Call: A Visit to Sweden." 8.32: Mario de Pietro and Estudiantina (instrumental), Temtation Rag” (Lodge). 8.35:,Pian0 and Will Bishop. 8.47: Carson Robison and Buckaroos. 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance programme. 10.0: “Merry and Bright." 4YA, DUNEDIN (790 Kilocycles) 2.0 p.m.’. Recordings. 3.15: Running commentary on Rugby match, Otago v. Manawatu. at Cansbrook. 4.45. (approx.). 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: Election address from Mauku Hall. Auckland, by A. C Saxton, Independent member for Franklin (from IYA). 10.0: Sports summary. 10.10: Dance music. 4YO, DUNEDIN (1140 Kilocycles) 7 0 p.m.: After-dinner music. 8.0: Chimes. Light orchestral and ballad concert. Geraldo and flomanco-in-Rhythm Orchestra, “Swing Time Selection (Kern). 8.10: Valda McCurdy (soprano), "Days of Joy Are Here” (Hemery): “June Is In My Heart" (Vaughan). 8.16. New Light Symphony Orchestra, Four Characteristic Waltzes: (1) ‘ Y als .® enne"; (2) “Valse Rustique ; (3) Valse de la Reine”: (4) “Valse Mauresque fcoleridge Taylor). 8.28: C. R. Williamson (tenor), “Luna Mia” (de Crescenzo), ■Believe Me, If AH Those Endearing Young Charms” (Nelson): The Seciet , 8 37’ Geraldo and Orchestra. Mardi Gras (Grofe); “On the Bridge of Sighs (Connor)’ “The Music Shop (Kester). 8.46. Valda McCurdy (soprano). All In An Anrll Evening” (Diack); Rise Up and Reach the Stars" (Coates). 8.52: Boston Promenade Orchestra, "Dance of the HouTs” (Ponchielli). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: Dance music. 10.0: Comedy and light music. DAVENTRY, ENGLAND . GSG 16.86 metres: GSO. 19-76 metres; GSB, 31.55 metres; GSD, 25.53 metres. 530 p m.: Big Ben, “Food for Thought.” Three short talks on matters of topical interest n °5.50: "Not-So-Old Favourites.” With Harry Howard and Sidney Vivian. 6.0; "Empire Gazette.” Topical revue of events overseas. Devised and edited by James Gilroy, assisted by Kenneth Bally. Presented by Pascoe Thornton. 6.30: Walford Hyden and his Cafe Colette Orchestra. Programme of dance music from the Continent and other parts of the world. Produced by C. F. Meehan. 7.10. ■Tondon Log.” 7.20; The News and Announcements. 7.45: Close down. SUNDAY 3YA, CHRISTCHURCH 9.0 a.m.: Recordings. 11.0; Morning service from St. Matthew’s Anglican Church. Preacher: Rfev. W. E. D. Davies. Organist and choirmaster: Mr C. H. Hoskins. 1.0 pm.; Dinner music. 2.0: Recordings. 3.0: “Don Juan” (tone poem) (Richard Strauss) London Philharmonic Orchestra. 3 16: Recordings. 5.30: Children’s song service (Rev. J. Richards and children of Papanui Sunday schopl). 6.15; Recordings. 7.0: Evening service from East Beit Methodist Church. Preacher: Rev. H. L. Fiebig. Organist; Mr A. M. Owen. Choirmaster: Mr J. Chaplin. 8.15 (approx.): Recordings, 8.30: (R) Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, "Die Fledermaus” Overture (Strauss). 8.40: Rex Harrison (baritone), (a) "The Fairy Lough” (Stanford): (b) “E’en As a Lovely Flower” (Bridge); (c) "Gloriana” (Mallinson); (d) The Lords Prayer” (Malotte). 8.52: (R) Eugene Ormandy and Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. Scherzo Capriccioso (Dvorak). 90* Weather report and station notices. 9*s* “Avalanche,'* radio drama by Max Afford. Studio presentation by the Avon Players 9.45: (R) Minneapolis Symphony

grammes shows that many kinds of experiment in production are undertaken, and surely the National Broadcasting Service could obtain rights over more of these. The idea is worth consideration, any; way*

Orchestra, "Krieslerina”; (a) Schon Rosmarin; (b) Caprice Viennois); (c) Liebeslieci; (d) Tambourin Chinois (Kricsler). 3YL, CHRISTCHURCH 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30; “Memories of Chopin." 8.39: Frank Titterton sings. 8.46: Tony Lowry, composer-pianist. 8.51; Victoria Anderson and Viola Morris, duettists. 8.55; Violin solos by Kriesler. 9.1: Sandler Minuets. 9.10: "The Further. Adventures of the . Three Musketeers.” a dramatisation of the famous novel by Alexander Dumas—“ Twenty Years After." 9.35; “Merrie England” dances. 9-41; "Whirlwind," a harp solo. 9.43: Alfred Piccaver (tenor). 9.50: “Der Rosenkavalier” Waltzes. IYA, AUCKLAND 2.0 p.m.: Recordings. 3.30: Symphony in D Minor (Cesar Franck), Leopold Stokowski and Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. 4.16: Recordings. 6.0: Children's song service. 7.0; Evening service from Salvation Army Congress Hall. Preacher: Adjutant N. Bicknell. Bandmaster: H. Dopson. 8.15; Recordings. 8.30: Concert programme. Complete recording of opera, "Carmen,” by Bizet. IYX, AUCKLAND 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30; Band programme, with spoken interludes. 2YA, WELLINGTON 9.0 a.m.: Recordings. 10.0: Weather report for aviators. Recordings. 11.0: Morning service from the Terrace Congregational Church. Preacher: Rev. H. W. Newell. Acting-organist and choirmaster; Mr Alec Mill. 1.0 p.m.: Weather report for aviators. Dinner session. 2.0: "Modern Composers” series: "Arnold Schonberg. conclusion of “Gurre Lieder,” Leopold Stokowski and Philadelphia Orchestra, assisted by Paul Althouse (tenor), Abrasha Robofskv (bass). Robert Betts (tenor), and the Princeton Glee Club, Fortnightly Club and Mendelssohn Club. 2.45: Recordings. 6.0; Children’s song service. 7.0: Evening service from St. Thomas’s Anglican Church. Wellington South. Preacher: Rev. C. V. Rooke. Organist and choirmaster: Mr A. J. Crisp. 8.15 (approx.); Recordings. 8.30: .Recital programme. (R) Queen’s Hall Orchestra, "Russian and Ludmila” Overture (Glinka). 8.34: W. Dearden Jackson (bassoon), Second Movement of Bassoon Concerto in B Flat and Andante Con Moto (Mozart): Tcma Con Variazonia” (Dearden Jackson). 8.44: (R) Gerhard Husch (baritone) in Songs of Yrjo Kilpinen; (a) "Heimat” ("Home ): (b) “Kleines Lied” ("A Little Song ): (c) "Über Die Tausend Berge” ( Over a Thousand Mountains”); 8.48: F. I. Robeson Hunt (violinist). Allegro (Fiocco); Larghetto (Handel): "Danse Espagnole (Granados). 9.0: Weather report and station notices. 9.5: “Money with Menaces. Radio play by Patrick Hamilton (N.B.S. production). 2YC, WELLINGTON 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: Sunday night band concert by the Foden’s Motor Works Band (conductor: F. Mortimer. Cornet soloist: H. Mortimer). Assisting artist; Sidney Mac Ewan (tenor). 9.0: Symphonic programme. 4YA, DUNEDIN 2.0 p.m.; Recordings. 2.30: Wilhelm Backhaus (pianist). Variations on an Original Theme (Brahms). 2.38: Recordings. 5.30: Children’s song service. 6.15: Recordings. 7.0: Evening service from St. Joseph’s Cathedral. 8.15: Recordings. 8.30: Operatic programme. (R) Symphony Orchestra of Paris. “The Barber of Seville Overture (Rossini). 8.36; (R) Margherda Salvi (soprano), “Xo Son Docile ; Una Voce Poco Fa” (Rossini). 8.44: (K) Alexander Kipnis (bass). “Slander Is a Whispering Zephyr” (Rossini). 8.48. (R) Conchita Supervia (soprano) and Manuritta (tenor). “Lesson Aria and Duet (Rossini). 8.56: (R) Heinrich Schlusnus (baritone). “Largo al Foctotum (Rossini). 90; Weather report and station notices. 9.5; Grace Wilkinson (contralto), O, Love From Thy Power” (Saint Saens); Che Faro Senza Eurydice" (Gluck): Romance (Ponchielli). 9.17: Gems from Wagner. The British Symphony Orchestra, The Mastersingers—Dance of the Apprentices and Entrance of the Masters.” 9.21; Ferderich Schorr (bass). “Cobbling Song. 9.25; The State Opera Chorus. Wake Up Day is Approaching.” 9.29: Georges Thill (tenor). “Walther's Prize Song. 9-33. Rudolf Bockelmann (baritone), “Lilac Tree Monologue.” 9.37: The State Opera Chorus. "Church Scene.” 9.41; Symphony Orchestra. Prelude to Act 3, "Tanhauser. 9 45: Kirsten Flagstad (soprano). Elizabeth’s Prayer.” 9.53: Heinrich Schlusnus (baritone). "O Heaven. Let Me Now Pray. 9 56’ The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Grand March, “Tannhausef.” 4YO, DUNEDIN 6.0 p.m.: Recordings. 8.30: “Dancing Dignity," a pageant of the dance. 8.55. “Banjo On My Knee” Selection. 9.0: Wandering With the West Wind. 9.30. “Melodies of the Month, played by Jaj Wilbur. 9.36; “The Romantic Noel Coward,” vocal medley, sung by Mane Burke. 9.42; “Impressions of London, as portrayed by famous dance orchestras, DAVENTRY, ENGLAND ' GSG, 16.86 metres: GSO, 19.76 metres; GSB. 31.55 metres; GSD, 25.53 metres. (New Zealand Summer Time.) , 5 p.m.: Big Ben. Religious service (Free Church), from the Studio. Address by the Rev Robert Bond, D.D., Moderator of the Federal Council of the Free Churches. 5 45- "Visitors’ Book.” Impressions of the Empire Exhibition (Scotland), by visitors to Scotland.' 6.0: "Shroton Fair." Programme of historical associations evoked by the annual fair held at Shroton (alias Iwerne Courtney), near Blandford, in the county of Dorset. Produced by E. A. Harding. 6.30: Violin recital by David Wise. 6.45: Weekly newsletter and sports summary. 7.15; Close down. OVERSEAS RECEPTION NOTES (Supplied by the N.Z. DX Radio Assoc., Inc., Ch. Ch.) During the last week several Central American stations have been heard at good volume on short-wave. These are listed below, together with their identifying announcements: —YVIRH, Maracaibo, Venezuela —6.36 megacycles.’ COndas del Lago’). HIT, Dominican Republic, 6.63 megacycles (La Voz de la Victor). HPSJ, Panama, 9.602 megacycles (The Voice of Panama). HCJB Ecuador, 12.46 megacycles (The Voice of the Andes). They are best received from 4 p.m. daily except HCJB, which closes at 3 p.m. The last-named station announces alternately in Spanish and English. On the standard broadcast band, the usual seasonal reception' of European stations is being experienced in the early mornings, and should continue until the end of October. Signals may be heard from 4.30 a.m., and should reach a peak about sunrise, after which they rapidly fade out. The most easily heard stations are:—Sofia. Bulgaria, 850 kilocycles. Toulouse. France. 913 kilocycles. Breslau. Germany, 950 kilocycles. Bologna, Italy. 986 kilocycles. Konigsberg. Germany. 1031 kilocycles. Bordeaux, France, 1077 kilocycles. Nice, France, 1185 kilocycles. Frankfurt, Germany, 1195 kilocycles. On Monday, September 26, from 3.15 a.m., a special DX programme for New Zealand listeners will be broadcast by SAK Melbouma on 1500 kilocycles .