Will Conduct With Arm In Sling!

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 16, 26 October 1934, Page 22

Will Conduct With Arm In Sling!

Conductor of 4YA Orchestra: Fractures Arm -. Novelty: Entertainment From Dunedin "B" Station — "Seven Days Sunshine". — George Bernard Shaw Again — Superstition Broadcasts From 4YA.

HEN the news was given out last week that M. de Rose, the conductor of the Dunedin Symphony and 4YA Concert. Orchestras, had ‘slipped on some stone stairs, fracturing his, leff arm, dlmost everyone jumped to the conclusion that his painful injury would put an end to his musical activities for sometime. . Those who thought along those lines, however, were wrong, for shortly after the accident he announced that he intended to resume conducting just as soon as it was safe for him to leave the hospital-a remark, characteristic of an extremely energetic and vigorous man. When the "Radio Record’s" representative visited the hospital, he was welcomed by a cheery smile from M. de Rose, who said that he would be discharged from the inStitution two days prior to his next engagement at the radio station. "But your arm won’t be out of a sling ‘by

© then ; won’t you find: it necessary to use both arms to conduct?" he was asked, to which he replied by picking’ up a pencil: between the forefinger and thumb of the right hand, and describing yarious figures suggestive of musical tones and shades with the remaining three fingers. "No," he said. at last, "Tll manage with one arm until the other is back to normal." And go the broadcasts by the Concert Orchestra proceeded as usual without the necessity arising of having to enlist the services of a deputy-conductor. OR the first time since the Broadcasting Board completed arrangements for the presentation of Gilbert and Sullivan light operas; 4YA has played a complete opera on one night. This was "Trial By Jury," which. is only a one-act curtain raiser, and really too short to be split.into two distinct sessions, as has been the case with the other works played. It is definitely forbidden to broadcast .any of the other operas in.their entirety on the one night, and the practice has been to start the presentation from the main station on a particular night, finishing it from the auxiliary station a few nights later. If "Cox and Box" is selected. for broadcasting, it will probably be the only other exception to the rule, VERY now and then one of the B stations in the city comes too light with some form of novelty that is caught up by the public for the time being, the "Search for Talent Contest" conducted during the winter being an example Now one station is announcing that its staff has been augmented by one who is willing to read characters from handwriting, and doubtless as.this form of novelty entertainment becomes more widely known it will create a great deal of interest among listeners. T this time of the year, when rain and shine grapple with one another for supremacy, it is gratifying to hear that the Broadcasting Board is going to take a hand in matters. and promises "Seven Days’ Sunshine." This is to take place on November 17, and if the promise is fulfilled, listeners should be prepared to bask in sunshine until November 24. Of course, "Seven Days’ Sunshine" is the name of an entertainment to be presented on the date mentioned, so that if at that time we should be experiencing the effects of a particularly ferocious southerly, no blame will be attachable to the Board, which will do its best to cheer us. recent visit of Mr. George Bernard Shaw to New Zealand is still alive in the memory, and his talk through the board’s network is still regarded by many as the brightest provided by the radio. for many a long day. It was, therefore, not. surprising

to find ‘that the listeners to 4YA were many last week, when a recorded talk .by the famous..G.B.8.. was -broadecast. ’ As on the previous occasion, there were some who listened because they believed every word spoken, and others because they welcomed:' the opportunity of standing before the receiver to disagree with and contradict every statement made, while others listened-in to hear what "the old crank had to say this time." Hach of these groups ‘of listeners, then, took a definite and particular interest in the talk. O you avoid walking under a: ladder when possible, or do you believe that if a black cat crosses your path good luck must be yours? In other words, are you superstitious? If so, or for that matter, if anyone prefers to defy supersitition, they will find the series of superstition broadcasts from 4YA quite informative and entértaining. Items in the series are presented from time to time.