PERSONALITIES of the WEEK

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 21, 4 December 1936, Page 10

PERSONALITIES of the WEEK

‘A Nervy Business [N 1918 Spencer Dyke, the famous Cornish violinist, formed his own quartet, the other members being Patterson Parker, Ernest Tomlinson and Edward Quaife. The first-named two had played with Dyke in Hang Wessely’s Quartet. Their success wag immediate, and they have since played in every town in England. In 1927, Tom-

linson had to resign through ill-health, his place being taken by Bernard ‘Shore, and at the same time Tate Gilder (one of Dyke’s pupils) succeeded Quaife, who had had.to sever his connection with the quartet owing to the pressure of other engagements. Spencer Dyke first recorded for the Odeon Company no less than 22 years ago. He vividly recalls those days when the cellist sat close behind him on a packing case, and repeatedly nudged his. arm with his bow. In turn, Dyke would strike the recording horn with his, This, and the continual moving and shuffling about, made recording a nervy business, 2YA listeners will héar the Spencer Dyke String Quartet on Sunday afternoon, December. 6,

"Cheer Up, Missy!" HEN Dthel Leginska was a simple, unaffected and unassuming Yorkshire maid of 16 the late Percy Harrison invited her to an audition at the Albert Hall, where he was making arrangements for concerts, On she found a crowd of eager pianists, mostly men, many of seniority, with the then prevailing long hair. When Miss Leginska had heard many of the big. show pieces of Liszt and Rubin-. stein played by the men-each of whom wag struggling for q chanceshe nervously responded to Mr. Harrison’s request and played two pieces, miniature trifles, by her teacher, Leschetizky. At the conclusion no one applauded, and Miss Leginska left the hall, Only the doorkeeper softened the gloom by remarking as she went out: "Cheer up, missy, your playing’s really touching." Quite surprised, she heard a few days afterward from her concert agént that Mr. Percy Harrison had engaged her for his ‘London and provincial concert tours. Bthel Leginska plays on 1YA’s programme on Fri‘day, December 11, "Tell Me Another" IR HARRY LAUDER told the fol- \ lowing story to Lord. Aberdeen, who retells it in his book, "Tell Me Another." A travelling vocalist was to sing "The Village Blacksmith" at a local concert, Just before he went on the gtage, a visitor rushed to hig «:§}ss-ing-room, "I understand, sir," he id, "that you are going to sing ‘The Yillage Blacksmith’?"’ ‘That is so," said the vocalist. ‘Well,’ continued the caller, "I just came to say that I am the village blacksmith here, and I would take it very kindly if you could introduce, into the song a few words which would let the folk know that I repair bicycles." In 4YA’s_ music, mirth and melody session on Tuesday. December 8, Sir Harry Lauder will sing. Sir Harry is announced to visit New Zealand for a three-months’ fishing holiday in the near future, NMiusic and Chess DOLF BRODSKY, whose teaching genius gave us Arthur Catterall and many another fine -fiddler, could play six of his pupils at chess simultaneously, maté each one of them in ‘turn, and then replay all six games

from memory. One does not usually couple musical genius ‘with. a tactical mind. Yet among stars of the concert platform who are enthusiastic chess players are Mischa Hlman, violinist; Arthur Rubinstein, pianist; John Bridge, the conductor; and last, but not Jeast, Yehudi Menuhin. During his public performances of the most difficult violin solos, the latter is able ' to solve equally difficult chess problems. He says it keeps his mind in good fettle. It may account for that stern expression .which never relaxes. The Inimitable Boswells T ig a thrill to watch the inimitable Boswell Sisters in their stage act. To hear them sing those amazingly intrieate rhythms, slurs, tricks and whatnot, all so perfectly in tune, balance and time, and with the precision of a machine, is an experience to be remembered. They sing, very wisely, into a microphone which amplifies ‘their voices tremendously, and the reason for this is obvious, The "mike" is their racket, and while they are concentrat_itig on balance, precision, and perfect graduation of light and shade, they eannot possibly alter and strengthen their delivery for the purpose of filling the auditorium. The microphone and amplifying apparatus is wisely chosen to do this for them. 4YA listeners will

hear the Boswell Sisters in the music, mirth, and melody session on Thursday, December 10.