How the International Programme Was Received

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 31, 13 February 1931, Page 10

How the International Programme Was Received

A Listener Records His Impressions

By

Observer

WO things peculiar to this i programme impressed me greatly-atmosphere and .continuity, The Americans. have ‘certainly mastered the difiieult art of presenting radio entertainment in the most _ acceptable manner, For example, in the programme ina question, atmosphere. was particularly fine in the performance by the "Ambassadors of Melody Land," and was so skilfully attained that it wasn’t the slightest degree obvious. Tf it had ‘been, the effect would have been coni‘pletely spoilt. It appears that the American aim in broadcasting is to make the listener "forget his loudspeaker-forget his "valves and batteries-and to induce «him -by subtly-disguised suggestion to call on his imagination, unconsciously. "The latter is important, for if flights ~of fancy. are conscious, they are not effortless. _ And if effort is involved, the entertainment will not appeal, for "Sts hearers have in all probability com"pleted a hard day’s work, and relaxa‘tion! above all things is desirable.

The second point, that of continuity, is perhaps more important, From start to finish the programme flowed on evenly in well-defined sections, each lasting for a generous length of time. What a change from the contralto solo, "Talk on Pigs," orchestral selection type of programme! Again, the best example of this was given by. the musical combination mentioned previously. What exactly did their -performance comprise? A few light musical selections, a little. classical music, and two songs. And yet, by calling’ he orchestra the "AmbasSadors of Melody Land," the studio the Palace of Love, and a soloist the Court J ester, the entertainment was, to. the writer at least, almost as good as a twenty-minutes’ peep at a flesh and blood musical comedy show. Both atmosphere and_ continuity were cleverly obtained in one stroke, and, judging by the result, they are

all-important in such an ~ entertainment. The selections played during the evening by the Ormandy. Orchestra were a delight to listen to, Bach’s "Air on the G String" being in particular admirably rendered, Another poittt:.In all these selections the absence or lack of, prominence of the first violins was larly noticeable, the melody being taken in general either by a single violin or by the ’cello;» -The resulting balance between treble and bass .was very pleasing, and reproduction was crisp -and clear-cut. . The average loudspeaker will not faithfully reproduce. a number of first violins, the music of which is given undue prominence at.the expense of the bass. American * orchestra leaders . have evidently recognised this difficulty, and surmounted it. by carefully selecting or re-arranging orchestrations.

The International Singers are certainly an: excellent quartet. Their ° harmony was delightful. Still, one. is inclined to think that if 2YA’s Melo-' dy ‘Four were not local, they would be just as much appreciated. For light entertainment, that provided by. the Ambassadors of Melody Land would be hard to excel. However, the Court Jester’s song about "Mysterious Mose" did not appeal as being particularly bright or humorous. In fact, if this was a fair sample of his stock-in-trade, the Queen of Hearts could not be blamed for ‘depriving him of his cap and bells: ‘and, banishing him from her Kingdom. boost HB next turn, "A'broad: with the Lockharts," was the first of a series of radio Once again the ‘appropriate atmosphere was unobtrusively obtained-this ‘time by. a musical prologue. featuring a. popular selection often played::at«picture theatres during the presentation of gazettes and travelogues. The sketch itself promises to be an attractive and amus-° ing substitute for the usual never very inspiring travel lecture. .The: idea of arranging it in serial form -is good, as is that of devoting the whole of the opening instalment. to depicting the Lockharts engaged in a domestic ar-- gument as to whether or not they will spend the summer in Hurope. Hivery listener who heard. this sketch is now personally acquainted with the Lockharts. They know the husband is an easy-going, good-humoured | citizen, whose ideal holiday is @ fis" 1ing one, but who would sooner travel to Burope than quarrel with his‘: wife ‘about it. Mrs. Lockhart is just a typical woman who unscrupulously uses. every wile to gain her point, and, having gained it, gives way to her husband on those that really don’t matter, I am-certainly looking to the next of the series, dePicting this entertaining couple on board ship, bound for Burope. SOUND of care-free singing in the distance, faint at first but gradu-. ally coming nearer, was "Hy-Wide’s" introduction to listeners in the humor. ous sketch by "Hy-Wide and Handsome." Both dialogue and singing were good. The conclusion of this turn, which is also arranged. in serial form, leaves Hy-Wide, with Handsome, engaged ag his valet, installed in a sumptuous hotel of whose exorbitant rates he is unaware. His remarks when enjlghtened should be worth’ listening 0 I NOTICH in a recent. 4ssue of the "Radio Record". quite.a’ number’ of correspondents complaining of the "terrible.American accent": characterising a similar programme presented a short time ago. They may be right. I did not hear the programme in ques-

tion. Moreover, I understand that this entertainment. was not to be taker as typical of those to follow from 2YA4 on future Wednesday nights, but wnas broadcast merely to give listeners some idea of the average run of American "programmes, e This assumption must be correct,.for itis impossible that anyone except the most parochial could take exception to. the diction used in the above enters tainment. I certainly think that the American accent (at its worst) is an offence to the ear, but, as we now know, at its best it is but slightly different from our own.