Broadcasting the Carillon

Radio Record, Volume V, Issue 43, 6 May 1932, Page 1

Broadcasting the Carillon

TT EROUGH broadcasting, great interest in the Wellington Carillon has been aroused throughout New Zealand. Listeners in all parts of the Dominionfrom the far north to the south-have written to the Board stating how they had been looking forward with the keenest anticipation to the first broadcast on Anzac Day, and how much they have enjoyed the music from the bells. It is certain that since the official dedication ceremony, full justice has been done to the Carillon by 2YA, and pleasure

‘ , Nas deen given to Many thousands Of people who had no opportunity of otherwise hearing the bells. Even in the precincts of Wellington itself, rom comments heard on every hand, it is apundantly clear that without broadcasting, very many people would be deprived of the pleasure afforded by the Carillon. On Anzac Day, 3YA, Christchurch, carried out a _ rebroadcast of 2YA, thus bringing the Carillon within the hearing of crystal set users in that city. As far as the broadcasting is concerned, the results exceeded expectations. Carillon music is exceedingly difficult to broadcast or record satisfactorily. The bells sound out of tune, due \., to the fact that the overtones of the various bells ‘are not always in true harmonic series. The consequence is that if two bells are played together, it may so happen that although the fundamental tones are in harmony, the overtones wili not be and will tend to be discordant. °

The -reverberations of the bells also present a problem to the broadcaster. These reverberations, together with the overtones, are part of the music of bells and cannot be eliminated. The technicians of the Broadcasting Board, under the direction of the Chief Engineer, Mr. J. M. Bingham, spared no effort to make the broadcast a success, and were rendered every possible assistance by Miss Gladys Watkins, the carilloneuse. A great many tests were car~ ried out, and the technicians climbed un and dawn the laddere in the

Campanile on Wellington’s Mount Cook so often that they estimate they climbed a height equal to that of the real Mount Cook in the Southern Alps. The microphones were tried out in many positions, and ultimately it was found that a location in Mount Cook School was the best. The microphone placed there was shaded and a special sound focusing device, was erected. The result, as listeners know, was very satisfactory, considering the inherent difficulties of the task, and the background of noises from the crowd. Compared with the recordings made. of the playing of this and of other carillons, the local broadcast was superior. I' is worthy of note, too, that the choir, which was’a hundred yards away from the microphone, broadcast exceedingly well. ; When Miss Gladys Watkins made the recordings she played very many hours for test purposes, so that, under (Continued on page 27.)

Despite the fact that carillon music is exceedingly difficult to broadcast, many appreciative letters have been received by the Radio Board concerning the quality of the relays by 2YA of recitals played on the War Memorial Carillon. In the accompanying article are outlined the methods by which the board’s engineers successfully overcame the technical difficulties encountered during their endeavours to ensure that listeners should hear the full beauty of the bells.

( The Carillon

(Continued from page 1.) the circumstances, the fact that better results were obtained by 2YA is a great credit to the technical staff. Since the initial opening, the Dells have been played many times, and careful observations have been carried out. In consequence, certain changes are under way, and it is possible that still better results will be obtained in the future, To quote from a few of the letters received by the Board :- Auckland: "Re your broadcast of the Dedication Service of the Carillon yesterday. I wish to say how much we all appreciated it. Music from the Carillon has also been relayed once or twice since, and we have been lucky enough to have been tuned in to 2YA at the time of these relays. J must express our very great appreciation, and hope that in the future we may hear from the Carillon often. My only regret is that I cannot see and hear the original at Wellington. The music has been received very clearly . and loudly." « Mastbourne: "I am writing to express our keen disappointment that 2YA did not broadcast last evening the whole recital given on the Carillon by Mr. Clifford Ball." Taumarunui: "I have much pleasure in advising you that the relay of the Dedication ceremony of the Wellington War Memorial Carillon service was well received in Taumarunui, all spgeches, etc., being perfectly clear and es note of the bells most distinct." Sumner: "Having only a crystal set, I was delighted that 3YA should have broadeast the Wellington Carillon on Anzac Day. I wish we could have an evening broadcast, for I have heard that they are excellent." Nelson: "Thanks very much for the Carillon broadcasts. We could do with a lot more." Whangarei: "I looked forward to hearing the Carillon on Anzac Day, and I was delighted, for I have some knowledge of the peculiarities and difficulties attached to the broadcasting of such \ music."