FUSING OF TALENTS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 3, Issue 65, 20 September 1940, Page 17

FUSING OF TALENTS

CBS Programme Organiser on NBS Station career as a pianist early, and while he was still in his ’teens had several successes in competitions. When he began broadcasting from 1YA Auckland, in the late *twenties, he soon became known to Auckland listeners for diverse presen-tations-such as talks on great musicians, recitals, and announcing. Meanwhile, he began composing; first, several light songs in collaboration with other Auckland musicians; then, in 1935, he wrote the Sonata in E Minor, which was given its first public performance (with Vincent Aspey and the composer as soloists) in August of that year at a concert by the Royal Auckland Choir. The work was also performed in Australia, whither Mr. Bell went later for eighteen months, during which time he broadcast over several Australian. stations. There have been very few compositions of this type written by New Zealanders. Mr. Bell’s Sonata was the product of three months’ labour, and he dedicated it to Vincent Aspey. Now the leader of the NBS String Orchestra under Maurice Clare, Vincent Aspey needs little introduction to listeners, especially in the Auckland province: he began broadcasting from 1YA Auckland some years ago, and until he came to.Wellington with his violin, to join the

for CBS Station 2ZB in Wellington, and Vincent Aspey, leader of the NBS String Orchestra at 2YA, will bring a long-established musical combination under the eyes of official approval in a broadcast next ‘week from 2YA. On Monday, September 23, at 8.44 p.m., they will play Eric Bell’s Sonata in E Minor for Piano and Violin. Both these artists are already. widely known in this country. For some time now Mr. Bell’s piano presentations have been among the brightest and best of their kind from 2ZB. He began his BELL, programme organiser

String Orchestra, he was well known on Auckland concert platforms. Like Eric Bell, Vincent Aspey began his musical career while still in his ‘teens, with concert and theatre performances. On the advice of such musicians as Heifetz, Kreisler, and Zimbalist, he went to Sydney to continue studies at the Conservatorium. While in Australia, he broadcast from several Australian stations. Back in New Zealahd once more, he has broadcast in studio recitals, chamber music, concert work, and has been associated with several eminent visiting artists, 4