PERSONALITIES of the WEEK

Radio Record, 17 July 1936, Page 10

PERSONALITIES of the WEEK

Master of Masters THEODOR LESCHETIZKY, the famous Polish piano teacher, numbered among his successful pupils Paderewski, Friedmann, Hambourg, Ethel Leginska, Katherine Goodson, Gabrilowitch and Alexander Brailowsky, among a small army of virtuosi. In describing his great master, Brailowsky once wrote: "The reasons for his great success, I have summed up in two sentences. He had, it is true, great musicianship and the ability to discipline with effect, but ‘he had something whieh other teachers lacked. This to my mind was. firstly, a love of beautiful tone, and, secondly, a respect for the individuality of ,the student." 3YA listeners wil) hear Brailowsky play on Wednesday, July 22, and 4YA’s programme includes his name on Thursday, July 23. From Accrington JP ANCASHIRE has given the musica! ~~ world some excellent singers. none of whom has won more popularity than that excellent tenor soloist. and thorough Savoyard, Derek Oldham who first saw the light in the cottonspinning centre ef Accrington. His first stage appearance was at the London Pavilion as Julien in the operetta, "The Daring of Diane." Since then theatre-goers and others have seen in his artistie carcer a sure and steady rise to fame in the musical comedy and

Qperetta world. As a Gilbert and Sullivan principal in the D’Oyly Carte. Opera Company since the close of the ; war (through which he served with considerable distinction), Derek Oldham has taken the familiar leading roles. His cultured voice will be heard in "The Mikado" at 1YA on Sunday, July 17, and in "Patience" at*) 2¥A on Thursday, July 28. Onegin’s Best Tonic Q!GRID ONEGIN’S philosophy of life is a refreshing ene, for in work the great contralto finds the finest of tonics. "I haye worked all my life," She once confessed to an interviewer. "As a young girl I was forced to earn money as a stenographer to pay for my singing lessons. I had to study in my spare hours, sometimes when I was so tired I- thought I could not keep awake. There were times of selfdenial, when a piece of music sometimes represented the price of a meal. But I chose the music, and skipped the meal. And I had my reward when I was able at last to make my debut in opera. It was in Stuttgart, and I sang the role of Carmen. It was the first little milestone of success. I could not help being thrilled." To this day, listeners are also thrilled when hearing Onegin’s rich voice. 1YA’s programme for Friday, July 24, contains her name, A Suspected Confectioner THE Royal Philharmonic Society i as English as a London club--one of the more venerable ones, that is. Founded in 1813, "to promote the performance of the best and most approved instrumental music’ it was exclusive in its membership. There is a story of the new subscriber who was all but turned down beeanse he kept a confectioner’s shop in Bishopgate Street. His sponsor had to assure the directors that his man had _ never served behind the counter!.The soviety was never progressive; never propagandist. It was content to keep the lamp burning, not to seatter fire around; so that in the ‘fifties a writer could still declare that "orchestral concerts in London are as rare as the proverbial visits of angels." 4YA listeners can enjoy the playing of the London Phil‘harmonic Orchestra on . Thursday, duly 23. :