Making the Nightingales Sing

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 80, 3 January 1941, Page 5

Making the Nightingales Sing

BEATRICE HARRISON, besides being a fine ’cellist, is also quite a personality. She has given recitals nearly all over the world, in most of the great capitals of Europe, and the two Americas. She was well-known in many of the courts of Europe before the last war, when there were still kings: and courts, and in her home near Oxley, in Kent, she has a rich collection of gifts bestowed on her during these visits. The countryside of Kent is a favourite haunt of the nightingale, and Beatrice Harrison was convinced that the music of her ’cello attracted the birds. So she began experimenting. When she played very softly and sweetly and gently, the birds seemed to draw nearer, and sing to her accompaniment, At

first, many people were sceptical; they thought it was just a stunt. But she persevered and invited many musicians down to her country home to hear for themselves. Finally she convinced them. When it was first suggested that records be made of these nightingale concerts, insuperable difficulties appeared, But Beatrice Harrison is nothing if not determined. She had complete faith in the possibility of making these records, and broadcasting them to the world, once the initial technical difficulties were overcome, These were many. The nightingale, I believe, sings during the day as well as the night, but it is only during the silence of the night that its. song is heard distinctly. And in the very early morning, before dawn, it seemed at its best--(Nelle Scanlan, "Ships and Shoes and Sealing-Wax,’ 2YA, December 10.)