RUSSIAN SONGS AT 2YA

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 1, 20 July 1928, Page 7

RUSSIAN SONGS AT 2YA

ANOTITER unique programme by the "«" Ariel Singers will be presented at 2YA on Montlay next, when all the items will be Russian, it being certain that no one school of music at the present time is having a greater in- | fluence on modern composition. | The youngest of all the "National" schools, Russian music, extraordinary as it now is, was born in the far distant age of minstrelsy. Up to the time of Glinka (born 1803), however, it may almost be said to have remained (in spite of the work of ~lomin, Verstofsky and others) an immense number of erude but beautiful folk

songs and tunes awaiting the touch of the master-composer (and the publisher). Glinka’s amalgamation of folk and art music, his use of the extraordinary native method of choral accompaniment, and many other characteristics of his genius, all helped to give u great impetus to the tradition of queer Russian musical nationalism, since adyoeated, improved upon, expanded, and strengthened with increasing enthusiasm, and with some weird results by Dargomitsky (the "yationalist" who immediately sueceeded the "nationalist’-1818), the

"Five" {Galakiref, 1836, Cui 1835, Borodin, 1834, Moussorgsky 1839, and Rimsky Korsakof 1844), Seriabin 1872, Rachmaninoff 1878, Stravinsky 1882, Glazanoz 1865, and a host of others, nearly all of whose work bears the hall-mark of genius. Rubinstein (1830) and Tschaikowsky (1840) are both Russians, certainly, but could never be mentioned among the foregoing as "Natioualists." g The programme of Russian music to be presented by the Ariel Singers on Monday is as representative as circumstances will permit, but an idea of the magnitude of the subject can only be gained by hearing and studying first-class performances of characteristic orchestra, string and operatic works. Mr. Juvhn Prouse, the well-known baritone, will be heard again on Monday evening; Miss Margaret Keegan, L.L.C.L,. (pianiste), will play specially selected numbers, and Mr. A. Stanley Warwick will present some further elocutionary numbers from his extensive repertoire. Or Tuesday the Orpheus Quartet will sing "When the Budding Bloom of May" (from. "JIaddon Hall," by Sullivan), and also "Sleep, Darling, Sleep," by Martin. Two duets will be giyen-*A Summer Evening." to be sung by Mrs. Alice IIarris and Miss,

Lily Mackie, and "Gentle Moon," to be sung by Mr. Arthur Coe and Mr. Len Barnes, Mrs, Alice Harris will sing "The Old-Fashioned Cloak," from "The Rebel Maid," Miss Lily Mackie "The Pool of Quietness,’ and Mx. Arthur Coe, "When Through the Musetta." Mr, Len Barnes has selected "Inter Nos," "With a Heart Bounding Gaily," and will repeat, by request, that magnificent dramatic number of Loewe, "Wdward." «This is a dialogue hetween mother and son, The latter has killed his father at his mother’s request, and in a dramatic climax he calls the curse of hell upon her. To Tuesday evening’s popular programme Miss Rose Carte,who is making her first appearance before the microphone, will contribute humorous items. Miss Carte is a talented entertainer, and her initial effort "on the air’ will be eagerly avwaited. The Palmer Hawaiian Trio will be heard in popular selections, and there wiil be a relay of organ music from Taranaki Street Methodist Church, with Mr. H. Temple White at the organ, IIE Mellow Fellows will be on the air again from 2YA on Thursday. The programme includes _ specialty items, some arranged by the Fellows themselves, and some composed by lesser lights such as Sanderson, Carl Bohm, or C. J, Dennis. Joking aside, it will be an evening which will appeal to most listeners. "So Do It" is an arrangement of a yery well-known old air, with words not so well known (yet), which will be of interest to ladies. Each item besides is in the hands of a capable exponent, who can be relied upon to give a creditable and enjoyable rendering. Another welcome contributor to the vocal section of the programme will be Miss Ailsa Nichol, soprano, who has chosen some delightful songs for the evening. The instrumental music portion of the programme will be provided by the band of the 1st Wellington Regiment, under Lientenant Shardlow. Mr. Johannes Andersen will deliver another of his very popular and interesting lecturettes on "Native Birds" on Thursday evening. IERIE is plenty of variety in the numbers to be given by the Etude Quartet on Friday. "Soft and Low" (from the "Mock Doctor" by Gounod) and "See Our Oars with Feathered

Spray" (by Stevenson) will be the concerted numbers. "The Angelus," from Maritana," willbesung as a trio, and Misses Gretta Stark and Rita Arnold will give the beautiful ‘"Barcarolle" from "Tales of Hoffman," with orchestral accompaniment. Planquette’s duet, "Qui Vive," will be sung by Messrs.. Frank Skinner and Ray Kemp, the former's solo being "The Fairy Song" from "The Immortal Hour," by Rutland Boughton. Mr, Ray Kemp will sing two Kipling numbers in keeping with the literary portion of the programme, Miss Gretta Stark has chosen "Here's: to Love and Laughter" (from "The Sunshine Girl’), and Miss Rita Arnold. "A Fat Lil’ Feller,’ by Sheridan Gordon, The special literary teature of Friday evening will be in the hands of Mrs. R. S. Watson, B.A., whose theme will be "Kipling and his Works." Mr. Vernon Oswin, an elocutionist with an established repusation, will contribute elocutionary items, A SPLENDID week-end entertainment will be broadcast from 2YA on Saturday evening. The ever-popu-ar Melody Four, the studio orchestra, Mr. Lad Haywood (mandola), Mr, Geo, Titchener (humorist), Mr. Bernie ee (mouth organ), and the Glad Idlers, With their hits and harmonies, will be there,