2YA NOTES

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 35, 16 March 1928, Page 5

2YA NOTES

On Monday evening, March 19, at] 2YA, there will be, for the first time in New Zealand, a studio performance by the Ariel Singers, of Liza Lehmann’s charming Indian Song Cycle, ‘Ihe Golden Threshold," a colourful work, coutaining solos, duets, trios and quartets admirably suited to the capabilities of these artists. Set to words by Sarojini Naidu, a poet famous in the Kast, Liza Lehmann’s |eautiful music expresses exactly that mystic, haunting atmosphere of romance, always associated with India and the Indians. The fact that the poems comprise imerely a cycle, and not a play or story, has enabled the composer’ to use only sucli lyrics as are most suitable for setting to music. In "he Golden Threshold,’ Liza Lehmann’s ability to write vocal. music that is as readily sung as it is readily listened to, has never been better demonstrated. Also, the piano accompaniments are not the least striking features of the work, and in the capable hands of Mr. Gordon Short, will be heard in all their beauty. As will be seen from the foregoing, then,

listeners-in to 2YA may be assured of } a pleasant evening’s music by the Ariel Singers on T’riday evening. The Orpheus Quartet has once again arranged a programme of old-time songs for Tuesday, March 20. ‘The quartets comprise that old favonrite, "Ben Bolt,’ and also the French-Cah-adian folk song, "Canadian Boat Song." Miss Lily Mackie will sing "Wilk He Come?" by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and also, with quartet chorus, "The Old Folks at Home." Mr. Arthur Coe’s contribution will be ‘‘Genevieve" and that of Mrs. Altice Harris ‘fhe Promise of J,ife.’ Mr. Len Barnes will sing two numbers, "The Arrow and the Song" and ‘Sally Horner." The programme to be presented by the MelHow Fellows on ‘Thursday, March 22, promises to be as varied and interesting as those which have preceded it. Items both grave and gay are set dowu, with some good advice on how to cure a cold, or anything else which the doctors have declared, or made; incurable. ‘‘Fifinella’’ is a delightful song fresh to New Zealand audiences, and ‘will be sung by the Tenor Fellow. ‘The remainder of the party are all set down for contributions which will go to make up an excellent evening’s entertainment, and listeners may also learn quite a lot about notable local happenings and personages. 4. programme of outstanding merit is to be presented by the Celeste Quartet on Friday, the 23rd inst. It is a popnlar programme, covering a wide ranpe of music, and rendered by these versatile artists, will make this concert one of special appeal to all. The quartets to be rendered are that spirited marching song, ‘March of the Men of Harlech," and ‘The Sea has its Pearls,’ the latter number being a magnificeut melody, with a legato rhovement, in which type of music this popu‘lar combination of solo voices excel. "Angelis," one of the gemma of Wal lace’s ‘‘Maritana," will be presented hy Miss Myra Sawyer, Mr. Wm. Boardran, and Mr. Edsar Swain. In adaition, the happy choice of solos, duets, by individual members of tle Celeste Quartet should nike the programme one to be remembered, and worthy of the premier broadcasting station of the Dominion. Mr. Lad Haywood, who has been giving great pleasure with his Italian mandoline at 2YA, is anxious to please all listeners-in, and on Tuesday, April 8, will play any two request items. Those desiring special pieces played are kindly requested to send — thir communications to the studio ov or before that date. The other item being played by Mr. Haywood will be "She is Far From the syand," a wellknown ballad, which is well suited to this instrument. The Melodie Four Male Quartet will contribute the major portion of the programme at 2YA on Saturday, March 24. ‘Ihe concerted work of this talented combination reaches a very high standard, and whether in items grave or gay the Melodie I‘our are always a welcome addition to the prograinmes of 2YA. ‘The quartets which will be rendered on this occasion cover a wide range, and contain many of the original touches which characterise the work of this quartet. ‘The personnel of the Melodie Foug is Messrs. S. Duncan and I’. Bryant (tenors) and R. §. Allwright and W. W. Marshall (basses). These four vocalists are experienced soloists on the concert platform, and have all proved their suitability for broadcasting purposes.

Ou Sunday evening, March 25, the Ariel Singers present another of their interesting programmes. It includes two well-known solos from Handel’s Oratorios, and also a new song by Wilfred Sanderson — ‘Pass Everyman," which is af present enjoying great popularity in England. Two contrasting quartet numbers to be heard on this even: ing are by an old English composer, Adam Waley, and the modern American conrposer, C. W. Cadman, whose songs, "I hear a Thrush at Eve," "Land of the Sky Blue Water," eic., ate so well known, The Symouns-Ellwood-Short Trio will play movements from the first trio of Beethoven, the trio in B major by Brahms, and from trios by Hummel and Arensky, a selection of numbers reflecting many sides of musical thought. ‘Ehese works all abound in beautiful melody and stirring rhythm, two of the most important qualities in music, which is to make a wide and lasting appeal. It is a great mistake to condemn such works because of their technical names. Given titles in plain English to express the mood or fancy of the number, they would compel the admiration and love of many who are unfavourably impressed by the absence of such titles. Our friendly advice to such is just to listen-in to some of these works when in a favourable mood, for generations of listeners have found in them a melody and rhythm which makes every repetition of them a _ greater joy. The utter joyousness of thie scherzos (meaning jokes) of Beethoven and Brahms is very apparent, the strong dance-rliythm and pure melodiousness of the last movement of the -Arensky trio makes it popular music, whilst the melodiousness of the works of Hummel (1778-1837, and thus a con- | temporary of Beethoven) is alin to the. simplicity of folk-song,

Mr. Gordon Short’s solo on Sunday, the 25th, will be the slow movement of the mighty sonata in EF minor by Bralims. As shown by the verse appearing at the beginning of it, this work, the second movement of one of the greatest sonatas for the piano (the whole of which has been recorded recently by Percy Grainger), is a musical expression of moonlight and love treated with the highest form of musical poetry. The last part of it is a melody which all can enjoy, and the tremendous emotional climax of it never fails to stir even large audJences.

NEW MALE QUARTET FOR 2YA The Warblers Male Quartet, which will broadeast from 2YA on ‘Thursday night, April 5, contains three singers practically new to the station, ‘The tenor, Mr. Stewart Nelson, is well knowu to Wellington audiences ss a singer With a lyric tenor voice of rate charm and quality. His number for Apri} 5 will be Tosselli’s ‘‘Serenat.’* Mr. Ernest Elliot, the second tenor of the company, has had much expericnee in concerted singing, and his solo work in the lighter numbers will please listeners-in. His fire smooth voice will first be heard in ‘Caring for the Rose" (by Sharp). Mr. Harry Matthew, the baritone, is one of Wellington’s promising young singers. His voice is most agreeable in quality, and his opening number, "The Garden of Your Ueart,’"’ by Dorel, will be looked forward to. Mr. Thomas ©. Wood, bass, is too well known to need comment. His fine resonant voice will be heard in ‘‘For the Green."