THINGS TO COME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 87, 21 February 1941, Page 6

THINGS TO COME

A Run Through The Programmes

E are afraid that when Professor T. D. Adams broadcasts his readings from 4YA on Friday next, February 28, entitled "More Poems on Trees," he will not mention the "Song of the Open Road" by Ogden Nash: I think that I shall never see A billboard lovely as a tree: | Perhaps, unless the billboards fall, | JH never see a tree at all. Yet, this parody reveals just as intense a longing for trees as that of Ogden Nash’s fellow-American Kilmer, who wrote the words of the poem "Trees." In fact the American preoccupation with trees-they figure even in jazz lyrics-is rather astonishing, when one comes to think of it. But this, too, is probably outside the scope of the Professor’s readings. Cyril Lakin Again Many people have been disappointed lately not to hear Cyril Lakin’s clear voice discussing and explaining the news. But that grievance has passed and Cyril Lakin, who, when he is not at Broadcasting House, is assistanteditor of the "Sunday Times," returned to the microphone on Sunday last, and until further notice, will comment daily, except on Mondays and Tuesday, when his place will be taken by P. B. G. Bay- ley, chief London correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. As from Monday of this week, there will be an additional news broadcast at 12.15 p.m.

every day except Sunday. The usual 1.15 p.m. broadcast will remain, but it will be preceded by the additional broadcast at 12.15 for the benefit of those who are not free to listen at 1.15. Mellerdrammer If we had time we would like to write a small treatise on the decay of melodrama. We sigh, in fact, for the days when villains were really villains (see illustration) and when waspwaisted heroines- were not afraid fo dis-

play emotion (also see _ illustration). Nowadays villains are ordinary looking chaps with a public school education, and heroines accept the cruellest blows of fate with a careless wave of the cigarette holder. Fortunately the ZB stations have secured a serial, a radio adaptation of that fine old play "The Silver King," which recaptures a little of the do-or-die spirit of melodrama. We know that we’re going to enjoy it, that we shall twist our own moustache with the villain and weep salt tears with the hapless heroine (see illustration again). "The Silver King" starts at 1ZB on February 26, and at the other ZB stations at weekly intervals. Southlander From 4YZ Invercargill Rosaline Redwood is presenting a series of talks entitled "Early Southland." A Southlander by birth, Rosaline Redwood has already had a considerable amount of historical work published in connection with the pioneering days of Southland, including -a southern pioneer -novel. Other works have been published in New Zealand, Australian and English magazines. Since she prefers the freedom of writing which goes with a nom de plume, Rosaline Redwood is not her real name. Harp and ‘Cello Believe it or not, as Mr. Ripley would say, the harp is more used nowadays than ever before, although it is true that the great’composers like Wagner, Liszt, Gounod and others knew its value in opera and orchestra. To-day Eric Coates makes full use of the harp, and popular singers like Peter Dawson always include the harp in accompaniments. H. G. Glaysher, who will be heard from 3YA on Friday, February 28, says that he has tried out the harp in conjunction with almost every in. strument, and believes the violoncello is the best for execution and round.

ness of tone. In this programme he will be playing with Nancy Estall, ‘cellist, who has given recitals from all the YA stations either alone or with Mr. Glaysher. Mr. Glaysher has played his harp in some strange places-at Buckingham Palace, at a State concert for the King and Queen of the Belgians at Brussels, in the Albert Hall Sunday concerts for 18 years, and at Regimental Concerts, such as that of the Royal Artillery at Queen’s Hall. During the last war he gave concerts in dugouts, barns, hospitals, and with the Army of Occupation in Germany. Musical Curiosity An item included in the concert by the combined NBS String Orchestra and the 2YA Concert Orchestra to be broadcast from 2YA on February 26, in the Wednesday night series, has more than ordinary interest for the musician. It is a collection of three dances from the comie opera " The Bartered Bride" which was composed by the Czech, Frederick Smetana, when he was completely deaf, so that he himself never heard it. In the 12 years after deafness overtook him, until he wrote this opera, he composed a number of symphonic poems, none of which he ever heard, but whose music made him famous throughout his native Bohemia. It Tickled The only story we know about a concertina player is probably a libel on that hardy race, but as it is the only one we know, here it is. A _ certain player was so renowned for his happy expression while playing that he won fame and fortune as "The Laughing Concertina Player." It was not until late in life that he was interviewed and asked the secret of his laughter, where-

upon he replied: "I can’t help it-it tickles my stomach." Without ringing up the musical department we don’t know the difference, if any, between a concertina, an accordion, and a_ pianoaccordion. But we do know that for happy rollicking music these instruments are invariably popular, so perhaps there is a basis for our joke. Anyway, we hope you'll enjoy four items by Robert McKnight, English concertina player, to be given from 1YA on Tuesday, February 25. Propaganda Music Alec Templeton, the blind pianist, has an idea-an amusing one if you have an open mind on such matters, but a wicked one if you are a musical

purist. He plays "Brunnhilde’s Battle Cry as it Might be Sung by an American Crooner" from 3YA on Saturday, March 1, and follows it up with a couple of parodies entitled " Mozart Matriculates," and "Bach Visits Radio City." Templeton’s idea presents possibilities, to the irreverent mind, of adapting music to the needs of propaganda. We could have "Liszt’s Hungarian March for Nazi Storm Troopers on the Way to Bulgaria," or " Schubert’s Vienna under the Gestapo," or even perhaps, "Purcell’s Polka for Parashots." The Musical Half The selection from the music of Sir Arthur ‘Sullivan (the musical half of Gilbert and Sullivan) to be given from 3YA on Sunday afternoon, February 23, comes at an opportune time. With the Savoy operas playing in the Dominion some people may be apt to forget that Sir Arthur wrote a surprising range of music of a different nature. On this occasion Florence Austral, with the chorus and orchestra of the Covent Garden Opera, sings "The Night is Calm" from "The Golden Legend," followed by the Coldstream Guards band playing "The Distant Shore," Peter Dawson singing "The Lost Chord," and the BBC Wireless Chorus, conducted by Stanford Robinson, sing- ing "O, Hush Thee, My Baby." The programme also includes music from "H.M.S. Pianofore" and " Princess Ida."