THINGS TO COME

New Zealand Listener, Volume 10, Issue 255, 12 May 1944, Page 6

THINGS TO COME

A Run Through The Programmes

MONDAY HERE are four famous Woods in contemporary English music, Henry, Haydn, Charles and Thomas. It was Thomas who arrived in Australia the other day (on a mission to publicise the British war effort) and said he did not think the invasion would start until towards the end of May. Mr. Wood is known and accepted as an author (True Thomas and Cobbers), but he is as much musician as writer. In fact, the last time he was in this part of the world it was a,gmusical mission-examining for the Royal College of Music-and he was once director of music at Tonbridge School, England. As a composer, he writes chiefly for combinations of voices, and his "Daniel and the Lions" (1938) has been performed in New Zealand. His march, "Six Bells," will open 3YA’s band session at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, May 15. Also worth notice: 2YA, 8.12 p.m.: Schubert’s Quintet in C, Op. 163 (studio). 3YA, 9.25 p.m.: Septet in E Flat (Beet. hoven). 4YA, 8.7 p.m.: Music by Bela Bartok. TUESDAY O most people the Mackenzie Country is that part of Canterbury which is most dangerous for sheep in winter; and that perhaps is what Douglas Cresswell will talk about in his broadcast from 3YA on Tuesday. But the Mackenzie can also be dangerous for sheep in summer and late autumn, if all the things we read about it are true. It was in March or earlier, that James Mackenzie and his famous dog spirited a thousand sheep from The Levels run into that pocket of country now always associated with his name, and there are some reasons for believing that other mobs had preceded them. Whatever the facts are, "Early Days in the Mackenzie Country" is a wide enough title to cover them, and Douglas Cresswell has a lively enough fancy not to pass them by unnoticed. Tune in at 7.15 p.m. on Tuesday, May 16. Also worth notice: 2YA, 8.0 p.m.: Symphony No. 3 in A Minor (Rachmaninoff). 3YL, vor p.m.: Quintet ir F Major (Bruckner), 4YA, 7.15 o.m.: "Noise" (Winter Course talk). WEDNESDAY "THE programme to be heard from 2YA at 9.45 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17, is entitled "Verse and Style," but its association with the name of Billy Mayerl should make it clear that it is not an essay in literary criticism. It is a BBC programme in which Maria Pirelli and Billy Mayerl ask themselves whether the verses of popular songs are as well known as the choruses. We have not heard of Maria Pirelli before, but everyone has heard of Billy Mayerl, and if, as seems probable, he is playing the piano in this programme, it is already assured of listeners, Also worth notice: 2YC, 8.0 p.m.: A Tchaikovski Hour. SYA, 9.30 p.m.: "Falstaff" (Elgar). 4YO, 8.0 p.m.: Symphony No, 4 (Brahms).

THURSDAY "O say that the music of Eric Coates is well known is to understate the facts. Once, waiting in the Underground, Coates had the pleasure of correcting a bishop who was trying to whistle the "Knightsbridge" March, In this war he has produced the sort of marches that send service men and women swinging

on their way. There was "Calling All Workers" for the Home Front, the "R.A.F." March, and the "Eighth Army" March, dedicated to General Montgomery. Not long ago, between courses in a restaurant, Eric Coates had an idea for a new march, and it was ready in time for Britain’s "Salute the Soldier Campaign," which began on March 25. It is early yet to expect to hear this one in New Zealand, but that should not spoil the Eric Coates programme which 3YL will present at 8.30 p.m. on Thursday, May 18. Also worth notice: 2YH, 8.30 p.m.: Debussy Quartet. 4YA, 8.0 p.m.: Music by Mozart (studio). FRIDAY HERE is, some Scots will say, a genuine folk-music still surviving in Scotland, whereas, they will assure you, there is none in England to compare with it. This is not to say that Scots ignore all the English folk-tunes collected and preserved by people like Cecil Sharp, but they like to draw a distinction between folk-music as it was and folk-music as it is, and to assert that the genuine article still exists in crofters’ cottages in Scotland and in the islands of its coast without the assistance of new-fangled things like printing-presses and. tonic sol-fa notation. That is something best left to Scots and Englishmen to argue. In the meantime, you may enjoy Julia Bradley’s recital of Scottish folk-songs on Friday, May 19 (2YA, 8.0 p.m.); and if you ere constitutionally unable to, then 3YA’s session of English County songs cn the following Sunday afternoon may provide you with something to argue about. Also worth notice: 1YA, 8.30 p.m.: "A Woman’s Life and Love" Song Cycle (Schumann). 3YA, 8.0 p.m.: Christchurch Ladies’ Choir.

SATURDAY TATION 1YX is broadcasting each Saturday night at 9.0 a programme called "Music from the Masters," and at present the session is specialising in French music. Last week it was Franck, Debussy and Fauré; this week it is Delibes, Bizet, Chabrier and Berlioz; and next week (Saturday, May 20) the time will be devoted to Saint-Saens and Gounod. Even for the listener who believes, as Bernard Shaw does, that there is a difference between French Masters of Music and Masters of French Music, the series should be worth following. Also worth notice: 3YL, 8.0-10.0 p.m.: Music by Lalo and Bizet. 4YZ, 9.25 p.m.: Quartet in G Minor (Debussy). : SUNDAY /RESUMING the series of piano recitals which he interrupted some weeks ago because of ill-health, Andersen Tyrer will be heard from 1YA at 8.10 p.m. on Sunday, May 21. The recitals previously announced in our programmes from 1YA and vther stations were not heard, but Mr. Tyrer will now give three recitals in Auckland, the second on Thursday, May 25, and the third on Sunday, May 28. During June, he will play from 4YA, Dunedin, and 4YZ, Invercargill. Also worth notice: 2YA, 9.42 p.m.: Opera, "Cosi Fan Tutte" (Mozart). 3YA, 3.20 p.m.: English County Songs (BBC programme). . yin 8.0 p.m.: Opera, "La Tosca" (Puccini).