MIDDLE EASTERN RHYTHM

New Zealand Listener, Volume 5, Issue 127, 28 November 1941, Page 7

MIDDLE EASTERN RHYTHM

What They Listen To In Egypt

GYPTIAN music is hideous though I suppose the people here like it, and as you walk down the streets the bars ‘have the radio full on with Egyptian programmes belching forth," writes Lance-Corporal Norman Dawe, a member of 2ZB’s programme staff who has given a comprehensive description of broadcasting in Egypt in a letter to L. E, Strachan, Production Officer of the CBS. Egyptian music has adopted a Turkish instrumentation. The instruments used are the qanun (a trapezoid box-zither), kamandja (violin), ’ud (a four stringed short-lute) and nai (a long flute). Oriental rhythm is hardly comprehensible to a European, particularly if he "counts." . The New Zealanders, however, do not have to rely solely on Egyptian music for their entertainment. Apart from their own band, orchestras, and concert parties, they are being entertained by some of the foremost stars in the entertainment world. " At present," writes Norman Dawe, "we have here to entertain the troops, one well known: to you-Alice Delysia, who is quite a sensation among the men. Her opening programme was compéred by Sir Seymour Hicks, and other artists were Harry Robbins, George "Baker, and several other celebrities from London." "Some famous artists are regularly fea- tured in programmes from the Egyptian

State Broadcasting studios. One of these is the Polish bass-baritone, Pawel Prokopieni, who, after a remarkable escape from Russian-occupied Poland is serving with the Polish Independent Brigade in the Middle East. Another Pole who has made a name for himself is Marian Hemar, the eminent poet and composer. He wrote the ‘V for Victory’ song which all Egypt is singing." Although on active service, Norman Dawe finds time to keep up his music (he will be remembered as a talented Wurlitzer organ player). "I-did a couple of broadcasts in Colombo," he writes, "and they were received very well. There is a small organ here in Maadi, and I am able to practise on it. A twomanual with pedals, so I am. very fortunate. Then at the American Girls’ College they have a Hammond organ. I have a great time in the broadcasting studios and have learned a lot from them; am made most welcome and generally spend two hours of my leave day there. Have met a lot of the leading Egyptian singers and composers and am. becoming an expert at singing in Egyptian. I shall be broadcasting on the Hammond soon. Have put in much practice on the instrument and am fortunate to have the use of it whenever I wish. Each Saturday finds me practising for about three hours, and I have learned a lot. Am looking forward to the relay, but they are having some

trouble with the land line at present. Cairo is poorly off for music shops and one misses them. Recitals in Lowry Hut "T have been running a gramophone recital evening in the Lowry Hut each Monday and have quite a good selection of records," Lance-Corporal Dawe continues. " Last week I had the Tchaikovski Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor, and previous to this Elgar’s Symphony. Next week I have Concerto No. 1 in D Minor-Brahms. This is played by Backhaus and the Tchaikovski by Rubinstein. Following this we are going to have ‘La Boheme,’ the complete set of recordings (26) with Gigli, Baronti, etc. It will take about two hours to play but will be well worth it. It is grand to be able to relax in the desert in the Hut and hear such good music. No Repetition "TI have been frequenting Groppi’s Continental Restaurant a lot and they have a fine French orchestra there, playing excellent tangos and waltzes. It is set out in the open but soon will be moving inside for the winter season. There are a lot of grand little spots like this, and though it may cost 75 piastres for the evening (dinner and dance from 7.30 p.m. till midnight) it is well worth it. "One feature of Egyptian broadcasting is a system which precludes/the repetition of any number in the day’s programmes. About two months are allowed to pass before repetition. The Arabic broadcasts from Cairo are all of local talent and they use very few records,

Consequently they have to have a large number of songs on tap. There "are several composers and each new song is bought outright by the E.B.S. who have the right to play it and feature it whenever they wish. Critics listen in, and if the new number does not meet with their approval it is shelved."