The PIED PIPER'S PAGE News, Views and Comments

Radio Record, Volume VI, Issue 51, 30 June 1933, Page 18

The PIED PIPER'S PAGE News, Views and Comments

Looking Forward

1YA July 5: Speech by his Hacellency the Governor-General (7.30 p.m.). July 6: Paul Vinogradoff, Russian pianist. July 8: B.B.C. Programme-Musical Comedy, "Postman’s Knock." July 22: B.B.C. Programme-‘My Adventure at Chislehurst," a recital ba A. de Alan. 2YA July 1: B.B.C. Programme-‘Postman’s Knock," a musical comedy. July 4: "Unele Sam’s Musie"’-Lecture recital by Mr. Karl Atkinson. July 8: B.B.C. Recorded Programme, "My Adventure at Chisethurst," a recital by A. J. Alan. July 9 and 16: Grand Opera, "Carmen." July 15: B.B.C. Recorded Vaudeville Programme. July 23: B.B.C. Recorded Scottish National Programme. August 1: B.B.C. Programme-‘Nuts and Wine." August 6: B.B.C. Recorded Programme -‘Hilen Vannin Through the Ages." August 12: B.B.C. Programme-"‘Songs from the Shows." August 22: BBC. Programme"Worlds Away." 3YA July 8: Old Time Dance Programme (9.4 p.m.-1.30 a.m.). July 16: B.B.C. Play, "Sir Christopher Wren." * July 22: B.B.C. Programme-*Post-man’s Knock,’ a musical comedy. August 2: Combined Orphanages’ Concert. 4YA July 16: B.B.O. Play, "Sir Christopher Wren." "THE programmes for Monday, July 3. are all interesting and provide entertainment for practically every class of listener. Owing to the fact that the wrestling has been forward to Saturday evening (July 1), 1YA will present a bright and varied miscellaneous programme. Incidentally the published programme for Saturday. July 1, will not now hold good, and intending listeners to 1YA on Saturday should consult the amended programme published on the inside cover of this issue. From 2YA a very interesting programme is promised. In the first half Madame Margaret Mercer (contralto) will be the "star" artist. The second portion of 2YA’s programme will consist of "One Hour With Grieg’-a representative selection of works from the pen of the great Norwegian composer; the 90th annivér-

sary of whose birth occurred on Thursday, June 15. A feature not to be missed in this programme will be the performance by M. Paul Vinogradoff, the eminent Russian pianist, with the Concert Orchestra, of Grieg’s Pianoforte Concerto. This is delightful music-full of melody-and will appea) to all types of listener. Instead of the usual band programme from 3YA listeners are to hear the Woolston No. 1 Brass Quartet in two numbers and the Scottish Pipe Band Quartet in four groups of well-known bagpipe airs. The supporting artists are Miss Addie Campbell (soprano) and Mr. R. 8, H. Buchanan (bass). 4YA’s programme of recordings is light and popular in eontent, with no number calling for special comment. & % REVIEW of ‘Tuesday’s prs grammes suggests that the best radio fare will be from 2YA from 9 o’clock onward, when Mr. Karl Atkin son will describe the musie of "Uncle

Sam" to commemorate the fact that July 4 is Independence Day. The attraction from 3YA on this evening ‘will be the items by Bob Bradford and his Radio Sextette. Bob Bradford’s Dance Band is already widely known, but this sextette, a combination of six "picked instrumentalists, should provide a bright and popular programme pleasing to all. 1YA schedules a mixed programme of recordings and 4YA offers a varied programme during which the New Zealand champion cornet player, Mr. George Christie, will be heard in three attractive cornet solos. = e 2 OYA and 4YA, the latter relaying to 8YA, offer the best choice of programmes for Wednesday. From 2XYA listeners will hear a sparkling recorded programme, including an hour of theatre artists in London shows of the present, and last, year. 4YA schedules a quality programme, opening with a really magnificent recording by the new B.B.0.. Symphony Orchestra of the first movement -of. Beethoven's

Highth Symphony. This is classical entertainment of the highest possible order and should on no account be missed by listeners who appreciate the best in music. Other outstanding features of 4YA’s programme are the pianoforte solos to be played by Helmuth Hoffmann, one of the finest pianists in the Dominion, and the recorded recital by John Drinkwaier, who recites some of his delightful poems. On second thoughts I am inclined to give the palm for this evening to 4YA, 1YA’s programme by the Watersiders’ Band and Miss Reta MacCullay (soprano) is of average quality. ° . HURSDAY’S programmes contain several outstanding features from 1YA, 2YA and 4XA. Paul Vinogradoff, the eminent Russian pianist, will be heard in two recitals from 1YA, playing numbers which should electrify listeners by their brilliance. On the same programme Mrs. Zoe Bartley Baxter’s Players will present the radio playlet, "Her Last Act." Listeners to 2YA will be invited to join Mr. Will McKeon and company in a visit to the London Coliseum, the radio fare comprising a recorded entertainment by 2 number of internationally known artists. 83YA presents a well-varied. selection of recordings, including the rerecording of Caruso’s interpretation of "On With the Motley." From 4YA. the Radio Players will present a dramatic nautical episode, "The Signal,’ produced by Major F. H. Lampen. This is a fine microphone play and should hold the attention of all listeners. & & s ON paper 4YA appears to offer the best evening’s entertainment on Friday-a well-varied programme with plenty of life and sparkle in it. Headliners include the Symposians in popular concerted vocal numbers, an instrumental octet in bright popular selections, humorous sketches by Miss E.: M. Holland, and baritone solos by Reg. Tapley. From 1YA at 9.22 The Baileys will present a sketch adapted from "She Stoops to Conquer." If you haven't already made the acquaintance of those delightful characters, the Hardcastles, Tony Lumpkin and Young Marlow, tune in to 1YA at 9.22 and meet them. Another feature in the Auckland programme will be a recorded "thriller" of a gruesome, hair-raising nature, entitled "The Living Death." This is certificate A-adults only-and should be avoided by those who suffer from nerves. The usual Friday evening fare -orchestra and recordings-is scheduled for 2YA. Christchurch presents a well-varied programme of average quality. . s * HE North Island stations will almost certainly attract the majority of listeners on Saturday evening. Tune. in to 1¥A at 8 o’clock and you will

hear that sparkling B.B.C. musical comedy, "Postman’s Knock’-recorded in the B.B.C. studios by leading English comedy artists. This will keep you chuckling till 9 p.m., when the dial should be turned to 2YA to enable you to hear a real "thriller’-a mystery murder drama-‘My Adventures at Chislehurst," narrated by one of Wngland’s foremost radio entertainers, Mr. A. J. Alan. This also is a B.B.C. recorded programme-the third to be presented in the Dominion. There is always a demand for old-time music, and 8YA, in addition to providing an hour’s entertainment with old-time songs, has arranged an attractive oldtime dance session which will continue until approximately 11.30 p.m. Lovers of old-time dancing would be wise to take advantage of this programme to hold a function at their homes. The master of ceremonies engaged at 3YA will be able to direct them in the figures of the Lancers and the Alberts. Miss Julie Russell (soprano) and the New Lyric Quartet will be heard in the vocal numbers, and appropriate instruments have been added to the Salon Orchestra, which is to provide the oldtime dance portion of the programme. This programme will be relayed by 4YA. & * # HH after-church concerts on Sunday cover a wide range of entertainment. A miscellaneous programme from 1YA includes tenor solos by Mr. Reg. Morgan and the presentation of the recorded radio play, "All’s Well." 2YA presents a recorded programme, a feature being the presentation, at approximately nine o’clock, of the recorded version of the first and second acts of the grand opera, "Carmen." This is something not to be missed if you appreciate grand opera presented hy a world-famed company. The southern stations will be linked in a broadcast of the organ recital in the Dunedin Town Hall by Dr. V. E. Galway, City Organist, and assisting artists. = * S usual the talks for the week cover a. wide range of topics, ranging from scientific ‘matters to a talk on "Bridge," which some earnest souls may consider to be also in the scientific class. 2YA at 840 p.m. on Monday will present a recorded talk, "Chemjecal Messages or the Wireless of the Body," and from 4YA at 9.2 p.m. Mr. W. G. McClymont will speak on "The French Colonial Hmpire." m * 2 ( [,JSTENERS can choose from eight talks on Tuesday evening. A travel talk which should prove of considerable interest is scheduled by 1YA at 9.2 pm., when Professor R. M. Algie will speak on "Down the River Rapids in Finland." From 2YA at 8.40 p.m. Mr. B. W. -Ackland is sure to be entertaining in his ‘"Trav’lers’ Tales." A fresh instalment of his series of talks on "British Cathedrals" will be given by Mr. Martin IF, Cock from. 4YA at 9.2 p.m., and should make a wide appeal to listeners. bg *% % HE talk on "Overseas Affairs" will be given by Dr. Guy H. Scholefield, O.B.B., from 2YA at 8.40 p.m. on Wednesday, and at 9.2 p.m. from 1YA Mr. H. J. Edwards will narrate some thrilling experiences when big game hunting in Africa. His Bixcellency the Governor-General will be speaking at the opening of the Auckland Winter

Exhibition at ‘7.30 p.m., and this speech will be relayed by iY¥A. % x A NEW speaker is scheduled for 1YA at 9.2 p.m, on Thursday-‘Epis-ecopus," whose talk is entitled "Under

Tropic Skies.’ From 4YA Mr. A. H. Williams, M.A., will speak at 9.2 p.m. on that fascinating literary giant, "Victor Hugo." A sporting talk is scheduled for 3YA at 9.2 p.m., when Mr. J. I. Burrows, M.A., will speak on "The Greatness of Ancient Greece and Rome in ‘Sport." s ge eB SRIDGE enthusiasts will no: doubt make a point of listening to Mrs, A. L. Long’s talk on "Bridge’ from

2YA at 7.40 p.m. on Friday. Speaking from 4YA at 7.30 p.m. Dr. W. B. Ben-ham-will present a lecturette on "Some New Zealand Birds," and at 9.2 p.m from the same station a talk of decid: : interest should be "Te Rauparaha, by Mr. N. 8. Woods, M.A. . = s. n "OLD Wire Whiskers" will have a large listening audience at 9.2 p.m., when he discourses from 1YA on Saturday on "Ice and Icebergs: With the ‘Alice’ in the Ice." Dr. A. DPD. Carbery will give the evening talk from 2YA, adding ‘his contribution to the symposium "The Attributes Essential to Suecess in Life." % ™ * ALTOGETHER thirty-two talks are scheduled from the four stations for the week-July 3 to July 8-so that listeners will have no difficulty 1 finding entertainment and instruction from this department of the broadcasting ‘service. Details of speakers and the titles of their talks are published in the "Star Items of the Week" on another page of this issue. = w ? T the risk of bringing down upon my head the wrath of the dancing fraternity, I boldly assert that dance music is becoming worse instead of better. Occasionally a melodious number finds its way on to the records, but generally speaking the standard is low. I have no fault to find with the playing, or the recording. On the contrary, I am frequently amazed at the ingenious way in which fragments from the classics are interpolated, and by the really clever orchestration of the arrangers. But the fact remains that melody is more often than not a minus quantity, and it is only by the skiil of the orchestral arrangers that this paucity of musical ideas is concealed, Kor the most part, too, the "themes" of these modern dance numbers are either vulgar, or sentimental slops. There are many who will no doubt challenge this assertion, but here is "vocal refrain" from a pile of recent issues which f have just waded through, It is typical of the type of "vocal refrain" in the average monthly issne of dance recoradings :- I’m young and healthy, And you got charms, It would really be a sin : Not to have you in my arnis. I'm young and healthy, And so are you, When the moon is in the sky, Tell me what am I to do. If I could hate yer, Pad keep away, But that’s not my nature, I’m full of Vitamin A. Oh! I’m young and healthy, . So let’s be bold, In a year or two, or three, Maybe we will be too old, " * R HW writer of the above effusion mar be young and healthy, but his verse, and grammar, suggest senile decay. No doubt there are many who will disagree with my condemnation. I shall be pleased to receive their views, and will summarise them for the benefit of, listeners.