Edison Evening Changed to February 18

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 30, 10 February 1928, Page 5

Edison Evening Changed to February 18

Programme of Honour for the Wonder Mind of the Age

Unexpected delay in the arrival of the "Message to New Zealand" which Mr. Thos. A. Edison had had specially recorded for broadcasting from 2YA, Wellington, in commemoration of his 81st birthday, has necessitated the postponement of the programme specially arranged for that occasion. . .. . _.. In reluctantly making this announcement, the Broadcasting. Company « advise’ that at both ends every precaution was taken to ensure the arrival of the recorded message in time for use on February 11, the date of the great inventor’s birthday. The Company was advised both by letter and cable that the record had been mailed in ample time to catch the Vancouver mail steamer "Aorangi." A letter from Mr. Edison confirming the cable message advising the dispatch of the record was posted in New York two days after the cable was sent, and duly arrived per ‘"‘Aorangi"’ early last week. Unfortunately, however, the record was not included in the ship’s mails. Inquiry of the Post Office authorities elicited the information that American parcel mail is not: forwarded via Vancouver. All such mail comes via 'Frisco, either by the regular mail boats or by cargo or oil-carrying vessels. The assumption, therefore, ‘is that the ‘parcel containing the record is on the "Tahiti," due on the 13th inst. In the circumstances the Companycould not do other than postpone the broadcast of .thespecial programme for a week-from the lith to the 18th inst. To the ladies and gentlemen who are co-operating with them to ensure the success of a broadcact-pro-gramme of unique international interest, the Directors desire to express their regret for the inconvenience occasioned them by the unavoidable change of date. They will, the Directors feel sure, realise that in a pro-~ gramme designed to do honour to one who may well ve regard2¢ as one of the foremost citizens of the world, it were much better that there should be a week’s delay in its presentation rather than the occasion should he robbed of its most unique feature-the opportunity of making known to the thousands of listeners the voice of Thos. A. Edison.

HERE will be speeches befitting the ‘Occasion. | | Sir Frederick Chapman, | 4; the- distinguished presiAo Ae dent of the ‘EnglishSpeaking Union, will give a eulogy of the great American inventor, and the American ‘Gonsul-General in New Zealand, Mr. W. L. Lowrie, will reply. The concert programme, which will be essentially American, will be one of the best broadeast from’ 2YA. A feature of the evening’s entertainment will be community singing, in which Americans resident in Wellington will be well represented. Folksongs, ragtime, military marches, Negro songs, vocal and instrumental solos ,chamber music, and choral works will all find a place in the brief space of time of one and a half hours of musical programme. They will combine to make the musical setting for this unique occasion a worthv one.

Stephen Foster was a maker of songs that America will always hold dear. In such songs as "Old Folks at Home" and "My Old Kentucky Home" Foster touches a note so deep}. and so true that they would be welcome and understood almost anywhere in the world. Their simple eloquence and beauty reveal the genius of this untutored musician. Many of his songs, including "Old Black Joe" and "Massa’s in de Cold, Cold, Ground" have been so unconditionally accepted by the American people that they may be called folksongs. The same thing holds true of that inspired melody, "Dixie," by the wandering minstrel, Dan Emmett. The wildly stirring marches of John Philip Sousa are worldfamous. Their energetic rhythms and buoyant vitality are felt as much to-day as when they were first composed. They truly reflect the healthy vitality of the people. Of great contrast are the highly imaginative, extremely poetic compositions of Edward MacDowell, probably the most individual and sensitive talent America has pyroduced up to the present time. He was a poet, a nature-worshipper, a romanticist who dwelt outside the confines of period or community. The mystical and impressionable quality of the Celtic race was in his veins. His works for the pianoforte place him amongst the greatest for this instrument. Charles Cadman is a melodist of great charm. Having come into close contact with Indian lore in the West he based a number of songs on In_dian motives. His mood is romantic and he has written admirably for the voice, His "At Dawning" has a lyric beauty which has made it universally popular. One of the most important numbers will be solos and choruses from the important choral work, "The New Earth" by Henry Hadley, one of the foremost of America’s living composers. These will be given by members of the Orpheus Choral Society under the conductorship of Mr. Len _ Barnes, The band music chosen for the evening will be played by the band of the 1st Wellington.Regiment, and instrumental music will be played by the Symons-Ellwood-Short trio. The Melodie Four will contribute to the vocal section of the programme, their items will be both national and popular songs. The Wellington Orpheus Society will also be taking part. Their contributions will include the magnificent "Battle Hymn of the Republic" and "Hail Columbia." They will also sing ‘""The Sword of Deliverance," with Miss Lily Mackie singing the solo *‘Aenus dei," and the chorus, "Song of Marching Men."

eae eee OO Eww American humour will be well represented. Mr. Byron Brown will give fhat delightful portion of Mark Twain’s "Innocents Abroad,’? which describes the visit to Rome. Another humorist will be Mr. Vernon Oswin. He will give ‘Melodrama" (by Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes), and "Sargasso Sea" (by McIntosh). Humour of a different kind will be that of Billy Hart, whose songs at the piano will include one by Billy Williams (winner of fame on Edison Bell Records), and "And a Little Child.’ When the massed voices in the studio have sung ‘Yankee Doodle,, and the "Double Eagle" has been played by the band, the American residents of Wellington will take part in a hearty "sing" of old time songs and choruses. It will be a fitting conclusion to what should be a memorable evening.