Around The Nationals

New Zealand Listener, Volume 6, Issue 131, 26 December 1941, Page 24

Around The Nationals

will be heard from 4YA on Monday, December 29, at 7.57 p.m., has had an interesting career. She claims to be the first ‘cellist to play for television at the BBC, and has been broadcasting since Savoy Hill days. She comes of a musical family-her fether was first ‘cellist in the Spa orchestra at Scarborough. At the age of six she made her first public appearance (as a pianist) and from then on studied the violoncello. She has given some first performances, including Frank Bridge’s Elegiac Concerto, "Oration," and York Bowen’s "Rhapsody." She is at present a member of the Grinke Trio. The work which she will play on Monday night is a ’cello arrangement of pieces from Stravinsky’s ballet, Pulcinella. Stravinsky used themes by Pergolesi in his orchestral suite, and the *cello suite, arranged by Piatigorski, goes by the name Suite Italienne. EG a mt RS. NONI MASTERS, who sang some English songs over 4YA on Saturday, December 20, at 8.24 p.m., is @ mezzo-soprano of the robust type. She was previously well known to the public as Noni Davidson. Her first introduction to the stage was as a young elocutionist. but it was in singing that her true talents lay. After studying with J. T. Leach she won many scholarships in Christchurch and Dunedin. Her competition successes have been numerous. As a member of the Lyric Choir and as one of its leading soloists, she has taken important roles in many works. The R.S.A. Choir, and the Scottish Societies, too, have often availed themselves of her services. She is equally well known in broadcasting, for as well as giving studio recitals, she has taken solo parts in choir broadcasts. * ca * F LORENCE HOOTON, ’cellist, who HE Humphrey Bishop production, | Rally to the Flag, described as "the radio epic of 1941," is now a regular Sunday evening feature from 2YD. Telling in song and story of the Empire’s greatness and of names that will live in her history, Rally to the Flag consists of 30-minute episodes featuring well known Australian artists. Stirring music, including popular wartime songs, and dramatised stories of heroism in the fighting services make it a timely presentation. Every unit of of the British Empire, and also the United States, is represented by national songs and stories. In an episode dealing with the nursing services, the actual voice of Florence Nightingale, recorded in her old age, will be heard. Soloists in Rally to the Flag are supported by a male choir, the Austral Quartette and an orchestra. te % * SPECIAL Scottish programmes for New Year’s Eve are being broadcast from both 2YA and 4YA. In addition, there will be a midnight relay by 3YA from Cathedral Square, Christchurch. The Governor-General’s New Year message will be broadcast by 2YA and the Main National stations.