JOTTINGS FROM 2YA

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 21, 9 December 1927, Page 7

JOTTINGS FROM 2YA

The "Theme and Variations’ of the inighty trio by Tschaikowsky, played recently by tle Symons-Elwood-Short Trio, called, fortli appreciation from many listeners-in. It is interesting to note that ‘I'schaikowsky frequently confessed that it was torture for him, to have to listen to the combination of piano with violin and violoncello. The day came, however, when he relinquished this prejudice, and wrote this trio in memory of a great artist, Nicholas Rubinstein, brother to the famous Antoun, and himself a maguificent pianist. Tschaikowsky is ever profoundly touching in his elegiac vein, and this trio is worthy to rank among the loveliest of musical laménts, The Beethoven Trio in G Major will be the third work by the great Bonn master to be performed by this trio. Hach of the four movements has its own distinctive charm, but, perhaps, the slow movement will make the most appeal through its beautiful heartsearching melody. The slow movement of the trio in F major by the popular L’rench composer, Saint Sacns, possesses a haunting rhythmic lilt, which makes it extremely attractive, Miss Ava Symons will play the lovely andante which forms the second movement of the well-known Concerto in Ii minor, by Mendelssohn. Mr. George Elwood will play as ’cello solos ‘*Chanson de Nuit" (livening Song), a broadly flowing melody of ‘great beauty by Elgar, and "To the Guitar," a fanciful caprice by the elegant Polish composer Moszcowski. "The Rivulet,"’ to be played by Mr. Gordon Short, is at excellent example of Iimil Sauet’s style of writing, and is a veritable cascade of sound, suggestive of sunshine playing on runuing water, The male quartct, which met with such decided success at iis initial performance at 2YA on December 6, will again broadcast from this station on Monday, December 12,

i i li, On this ecasion the ‘Melodie Four" will be heard in four quartets, tanging from soft Inllabies to broad humour. "Stars of the Summer Night" is a melodious four-part arrangement calling for much expression aud delicate treatment, In this number the quartet at times breathes — its notes in a blend of exquisi Pianissimo, which is the hall-mark of te perfect quartet singing. The "Moon Man," while in lighter vein, has a lilting waltz refrain as its principal theme, while humour is provided in "They Kissed" and "Peter, the Cat." On Friday evening, December 16, the William Renshaw quartet will open their programme with the familiar old Hnglish folk song, "Marly One Morning." A feature of the evening’s voc al nmusic will be three songs composed by Mr, Herbert Oliver. ‘hese are to be sung by Mr. Renshaw, who studied under Mr. Oliver for some years before coming to New Zealamwi. Mr, Oliver's opera, "The Bells of Vauxhall," has recently been produced in Jondon, Where it met with instantaneous success, Among Miss Nora Greene’s items will be "The Fortune Hunter." This song, which is a Tjondon silhouette from "Bow Bells,’’ will be rendered in Miss Greene’s own inimitable style, and with a touch of realism which will lose nothing from the fact of Miss Greene's recent visit to the ‘Great Metropolis." Two solo numbers are to be sung by Mrs. Amy Dunn and by Mr, ‘f. Woods. Other contributors to this execTent programme will be Miss Violet Wilson, elocutionist (whose versatility will be demonstrated in the contrasting items, "Fairy Tales" and ‘Mrs. ’Arris on the Farm’), and Mr. W. J. Tasker, flantist, whose work requires no connendation tou listeners, Quite an appetising "bill of fare’? from the musical point of view is to be presented by the Apollo Lour on the 15th instant, "The Meeting of the Waters’’ is a typical example of the best tvpe of Scottish national song; "Old Farmer Buck" is a poignant ditty telling of certain things which ote ought not to do; "Spin, Spin," is a delightful Swedish folk song rich in vocal colour, and "Alexander" presents a business deal in a musical setting, well seasoned with humour-perhaps Scottish! ‘Comrades, to Arms," a stirring duet, not very often heard, sung by two robust voices, should prove exceedingly popular, Tuesday, December 13, will be a night deyoted to songs of other days-the songs of fifty years ago -the singing of which by the members of the Orpheus Quartet will doubtless bring to the older folls happy memories of their young days, What fragrant recollections cling to the melodies of "Long Ago,’"’ "Just a Song at Twilight," and ‘‘Home, Sweet Home," in which on this evening the voices of these four popular singers will -be blend: ed. The old favourite, "Larboard Watch" will be sung as a duet for tenor and bass, and is bound to "go over’ well, while the solo ‘ numbers will comprise some of the sweetest of the dear old songs"Silver Threads Among the Gold," "Won't You Buy my Pretty Flow: ers,’ "The Dear Homeland," and "Hearts of Oak," and "When You and { Were Young, Maggie.’’ These are songs that will never grow too old to be loved, never lose their appeal. |

f HANDEL'S MESSIAH, Handel’s "Messiah" is to be broadcast by 2YA on relay from the ‘Ierrace Congregational Church on the evening of Saturday, December 17. ‘The ‘Lerrace Congregational Choir will be aug‘mented for this performance, aud will present’ the oratorio under tlie baton of Mr. Ten Barnes. Mr. Harry Hi. Brusey will be at the organ. Of the soloists little need Le said, as three of them-Mrs, Alice Harris (soprano), Miss Lily Mackie (contralto), and Mr, Arthur Coe tenor)-~are associated with Mr. Barnes in the Orpheus Quartet, whose work is pleasantly familiar to listeners to 2YA, Mr. Ray Kemp is the baritone soloist, -and he is already well known to local audiences as a fine singer blessed with a good ringing baritone voice. George T’rederick Handel] was born at Halle in 1685. Iu 1708 he went to Italy, and in 1712 to Tinglaud, where he settled. In 1737 he turned his attention to oratorio, after haying writteu forty-seven operas. He died in 1759, having been blind for some five years. He commenced writing ‘‘The Messiah" on August 22, 1741, and it was completed on September 12 of the same year. The whole oratorio takes nearly four hours to perform, but it is not usual to give more than about a two hour performance. This great work is divided into three parts, depicting the advent and the birth of Christ, the Passion and the Ascension, and finally the triumph oyer death.