MUSIC LOVERS' APPRECIATION

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 43, 11 May 1928, Page 5

MUSIC LOVERS' APPRECIATION

HE formation of the 2YA studio orchestra marks a distinct step forward in broadcasting in New Zealand. The Broadcasting Company has done the thing very handsomely, and the combination of ten such talented performers comes as a welcome surprise. Listeners to Wellington’s giant station are now able to hear what, to music-lovers, is one of the most enjoyable forms of entertainment. The scope of the orchestra is almost unlimited, embracing, as it does, opera, cantata, sonata, symphony, overture (ancient and modern), suite, fantasia, rhapsody, symphonic poem, march, all forms of dance music, song-setting, etc. The 2YA _ studio orchestra has immediately scored a decided "hit," and has already proved itself perfect | in combination and _ balance, and completely artistic in interpretation, in each form of musical expression so far put on the air. Each player, however, is recognised as a "topnotcher" in Wellington musical circles, and all that was required for complete success was combination which, as experienced musicians, was easily acquired in a few preliminary practices together before their inaugural broadcast. Tribute may well be paid to Mr. Bellingham, not only for the wisdom which guided his selection of the members of the orchestra, but also for the diversity of the class of music already performed, for it must be remembered that the thousands of listeners to 2YA, Wellington, are widely varied in their tastes. Concessions have been discreetly made to each section so that each evening there will be orchestral numbers that will please everyone in turn. This is a requisite in broadcasting. Of the lighter music there is an infinite variety to choose from, and new compositions are coming out all the time. Among the heavier compositions which are calculated to please not only the "high brows" but also a large section of listeners who lay claim to no special musical culture, are the "overtures" and other works of the great masters, Here are a few items I would suggest as suitable for a wide circle of listeners: Overtures to ‘‘Rienzi," "The Flying Dutchman," and ‘‘Die Walkure" (Wagner). Prelude to "Lohengrin" (Wagner). ‘Midnight at Sedan" orchestral fantasia (Zollner). ‘Invitation to the Dance" (Weber). Overture "Di Ballo" (Sullivan), overture fantasia "Romeo and Juliet" (Tschaikowsky). Symphonic poem "The Wood Dove’ (Dvorak), Rhapsody "Espana" (Chabrier), Tone poem "Taormina" |

(Boehe). Little suite ‘‘Children’s Games" (Bizet). Prelude to "The Ruby" (d’Albert). Fantasia "The | Mystic Trumpeter" (Converse). ‘Suite ‘Impressions of Italy" (Charpentier). Ballet music from ‘Feramors" (Rubinstein). Suite "Scheherezade"’ (Rimsky-Korsakov). One of the most effective works of the above rough list is the prelude to "Die Walkure," although somewhat brief. It is descriptive of the rising and subsidence of a furious storm. It is mainly constructed on a simple subject, repeated and varied, and leads to the scene where Siegmund suddenly appears in Hunding’s hut. I would like first to hear this item tried out on the great listening public, but I have no misgivings as to how it would be received.