Special Programmes from 1YA

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 11, 9 November 1928, Page 14

Special Programmes from 1YA

NEXT week, 1YA and 4YA will commemorate the centenary of the death of Franz Schubert, and the following week "Schubert Evenings" will be given by 2YA and 3YA. Schubert makes a curious figure in the history of music in the early nineteenth century. Though neither tragedy nor romance centre round him, his simple, uneventful and pathetically short life ‘is tragic enough in its own way. He was much influenced by Mozart and the earlier compositions of Beethoven, although his early death (only a year after Beethoven) precluded the possibility of his hearing many of the works of Beethoven’s wonderful "last period." Had he lived longer, no doubt he would have given to the world symphonies which would have placed him in the forefront of musical history. As it is, there are only one or two names that can stand before his. The astonishing fertility of his compositions-his "profuse strains of unpremeditated art’? scarcely allowed time for self-criticism, and for this reason many of his bigger works lack proportion and form. But in Schubert’s music there is a loveliness, an exquisite tenderness and quiet strength and grandeur, the equivalent of which has not been produced by other masters. The opening item on the programme will be an introductory talk by Dr. Kenneth Phillips, who will speak on Schubert, his life and works. Following this will be a wide selection representative of Schubert’s greatest works and songs performed by the Savoy Octette in conjunction with the Studio Orchestra. Mr. Cyril Towsey (pianist) and Miss Ina Bosworth (violinist) will also contribute items. Included among the vocul portion of the programme will be "The Erl King," "The Wanderer," ‘ Thou are Sweet Peace," and ‘‘Whither,"’ while excerpts from the light opera ‘‘Lilac Time’ will also be performed.

Blunt (pianist) and Mr. Cedric Gardner (elocutionist. Miss Mackenzie (soprano) will sing the well-known .."Caro Nome" (Dearest Name), from Verdi’s "Rigoletto," and the famous "Waltz Song," from German’s wellknown comic opera "Tom Jones." Mr, W. McLellan, a young bass of promise: and one who specialises in operatic numbers, will be heard in the aria "Il Lacerato Spirito," from "Simon Bocconegra," and "Ho, Jolly Jenkin," from "Robin Hood," a good contrast to ‘the previous item. Mr. McLellan is from the studio of Signor Cesaroni, the well-known aperatic basso. . Miss Agnes MeDavitt (contralto) has chosen for her items "Ah! se tu Dormi," from the opera "Romeo and Juliet," and "Chong Kind," from Sydney Jones’s comic opera "The Geisha." Miss McDavitt is a young singer whose artistic rendering of these items should provide listeners with a rare treat. That well-known operatic tenor solo from Puccini’s "La Boheme," "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen," will be sung by Mr. Edgar Swain. As a second number Mr. Swain will sing the bright "Here’s to Love and Laughter" from Ruben’s "The Sunshine Girl."

R. Cedric Gardner, 2 local elocutionist of promise, and one who has done consistently good work from 2YA, will entertain listeners with a recital of "Rio Grand" by Banjo Paterson and will also render a humorous item entitled "The Mechanical Cow." This item will be of special interest to farmer listeners. )

WHERE is no more popular night } than Saturday. For next weekme another fine programme has been arviinged, Such an _ entertainment would. not be complete without the Melodie Four, who will again draw on their never-ending repertoire. The Studio Orchestra will be contributing, and Mr. J. S. Webb will supply much of the evening’s humour. His items will be "Not Too Bad," and a collection of anecdotes "New, True and Neither."