PERSONALITIES of the week

Radio Record, Volume IX, Issue 13, 4 October 1935, Page 10

PERSONALITIES

of the week

THE DEBACLE FTER the. overthrow of Werenski, in the autumn of 1917, life for Feodoyr Chaliapin, the Russian basso, suffered a stunning change. The audiences in the theatre completely altered in character. Food became scarce and the posessions of

the great singer were commandeered. His flat:was con_tinually invaded py Bolshevist emissaries, but his protests, made with what to the outsidex is @ very interesting assumption, that an artist . should not be treat-

ed as other meu. were always politely listened to and were sometimes effective. His savings were appropriated. His silver was seized. And so was his wine, though he was able to buy some of this. back at a large price in a Moscow restaurant. He obtained permission to leave Russia, and made a.new fortune abroad. He sings at 4YA on Monday, October 7. CROONING DEFINED LL". ALLEN, the popular light vocalist, has defined crooning. "Crooning," he says, "can be one of two things: (a) Singing close to the microphone in a much smaller voice than is usual with straight singers in order to utilise the new technique which has been made possible by the development of the microphone and its assorted amplifiers; this enables the vocalist to sing rhythmically and to get his words over

clearly; (b) singing close to a micro- ° phone, but using the voice primarily for the purpose of rhythmic effect while the actual quality of the voice becomes of much less importance." Listeners will have an opportunity of hearing Les. Allen from 2YA on Friday, October 11. A SWISS CONDUCTOR [ERNEST ANSERMET, conductor, _ Was born in Vevy, Switzerland,.in 1888. He provides an instante of the musician who is also keenly interested in mathematics (eg, Albert Hinstein,

the famous scientist, is also a first-rate violinist). Ansermet’s first post was that of Professor of Mathematics at the Lausanne University. His musical proclivities, however, soon gained. the upper hand, and he _ gave himself definitely to the art of music, studying under various masters, and enjoying the sympathetic and helpful interest of. Nikisch and Weingartner, who both liked the promising and adventurous

yourg conductor. In 1918 he founded the Orchestra de la Suisse Romande, and is a pioneer in introducing modern music. He conducts on 2YA’s programme on Sunday, October 6, — A.SHREWD PIANIST @ PACHMANN, tle pianist, was a character. He could talk to English, French; German and Russian audiences, and in their own tongues, even if he mixed these a little. He would wash out his teacup and sterilise his hands before meals; and he lived long after his three-score years and ten. He would have a piece of paper placed under the leg of his piano stool, and would afterwards sit down and play for hours from memory, even when over 80 years of age. He was just as particular about the stool] when alone, and would also chat to a pet dog. To make the stool exactly level he once put a postage stamp under one leg! When taking tea with Queen Alexandra on one. occasion he washed out his teacup as usual. The Queen just loved it! The late Vladimir d- Pachmann, pianist, will be heard from 1YA on Saturday, October 12, BAND FESTIVAL FOUNDER N the band programmes which are featured by the national stations no items are more popular than those performed by massed bands. Many of these numbers were conducted by John Henry Tles, editor and musical organiser, founder and director of the National Band Festival at Crystal Palace. Mr. Tles also established the "British Bandsman" as a weekly newspaper. which he edifs. Born in Bristol he was educated at Harrogate, Yorkshire, and he has directed many organisations, among them the famous Besses o’ the

Barn Band, which toured New Zealand about 25 years ago. Mr, Iles is a member of the Institute of Journalists, the Press Club and the Company of Musicians, He conducts massed band items on 2YA’s programme on Friday, October 11. ' FODEN’S PRIZE BAND ror a band with so illustrious a list’ of successes in contests, Foden’s Motor Works Prize Band had a humble beginning. Wishing to celebrate the relief of .Mafeking, the late: Hdward Foden founded it in 1900, and _ the first rehearsals were held in a disused stable attached to the motor works af Sandbach, Cheshire. The original instruments cost £50. It soon became Mr. Foden’s ambition to have the best amateur band in Bngland, and his ‘plans were laid: accordingly. The band was then equipped with a full set of silver-plated instruments, uniforms, a first-class repertoire of. ausic and the finest teachers obtainable were engaged regardless of cost. All this has since been abundantly justified by the band’s repeated successes. The band is featured on 4YA’s programme ov Tuesday, October 8. A BANDMASTER PUBLISHER [HE third conductor of the band of the Royal Horse Guards (Blues) was Carl Boose, who was a brilliant clarinet player, and who had formerly been bandmaster of the 9th Lancers.

and also the Scots Guards. Mr. Boose assumed contro] of this band in 1859. and he was the very first man to publish a military band journal in HngJand; and he did it under great difliculties. While he himself wanted publishers to take the manuscripts hep already had, and go ahead and ge them printed, not one of ‘them wars willing to risk ‘the money in the venture, so he finally decided to be his own printer and publisher, He. wrote

ou stone for lithographing and printed them himself. This famous band of 40 instruments will be beard from 1YA ou Sunday, October 6. SIX YEARS OF EXERCISES [ITO SCHIPA, the noted tenor, tells us that when he first went to his Italian master, A. Gerunda, he was, like all boys, wasting his yoice by shouting. Gerunda taught him in the simplest and most natural manner possible how to place his voice. He then proceeded to begin a series of drills which lasted six and one-haif years. Six and one-half years with nothing but exercises! He would not permit Schipa under any circumstances to sing-a song. Students at the present day who want to launch themselves in "Parsifal’ or "Turandot" after 12

months’ study should note this. Some of them, in American parlance, "get away with it," but only for a little while. After a féw years the voice begins to go. They wonder why. The answer is, "There is no foundation." Tito Schipa sings at 1YA on Wednesday, October 9, and at 4YA on Tuesday, October 8.