Around The Nationals

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 108, 18 July 1941, Page 24

Around The Nationals

re _ Ln | Ll: case some 1YA listeners gain the impression that an error has crept into that station’s programme for Friday evening, July 25, we should point out that Mary Martin (mezzo-contralto) who is to present a bracket of five songs that evening is indeed Mary Martin, the violinist. She has simply discovered that she has another string to her bow and 1YA is profiting by what promises to Prove quite a valuable discovery. % AMERICAN folk music is not all negro in origin. Much traditional music has been traced back to the early pilgrims who took to their new homeland many English tunes, which were passed down from family to family, sometimes changing, sometimes remaining clearly recognisable. On July 22, 2YA listeners will hear Dorothy Downing, the popular Wellington pianist, play a group of American compositions which have not previously been broadcast in New Zealand. One, "The Arkansas Traveler" (the spelling of "traveler" is intentional) is described as an "old fiddlers’ breakdown." The pronounciation of "Arkansas" incidentally, is " Arkansaw" as picturegoers probably already know. Another of Miss Downing’s items is a "Roman Sketch" entitled "The White Peacock," by Charles Griffes. It was inspired by a poem by William Sharp. * * *

AUCKLAND'S current Winter Course talks (following Professor Sewell’s series on Colonial Literature) are entitled " Recent Applications of Science to Daily Life," and bring up to date a series on somewhat similar lines heard from 1YA a few years ago. Scientific research in the meantime has progressed so far that 1YA has arranged for authorities in various fields of science to discuss the latest developments in their fields. On Thursday, July 24, the talk will be on the latest news in Chemistry. Ba * Ea JUNEDIN listeners should have special interest in the radio serial Kitchener ot Khartoum because Dunedin is the sole New Zealand city mentioned in the feature! It will be remembered that Lord Kitchener visited relatives in Otago during his tour of the Dominion, and this incident is referred to. Kitchener of Khartoum has been running from 2YA for some time and it will now be heard from 4YA, the first episode being scheduled for 8.25 p.m. on Friday, July 25. * Eo bd (] HE final talks are now being given in 3YA’s Wednesday night series on the changing basis of society. The panel of speakers from Canterbury College, including economists, geographers, chemists, and biologists, has been surveying the resources of the world, where they are located, the way they are being used, and the changes brought about by war and new inventions. This series has been particularly comprehensive, and the final speakers are now trying to summarise the ground covered.