SINGER FROM AUSTRALIA

Radio Record, 1 April 1938, Page 18

SINGER FROM AUSTRALIA

Bass Baritone Booked For NBS Tour-Girl Pianist From Station 2YA-"U.9/" Featured From . Auckland-Are Swialler Towns Neglected — News From The Commercials

"THE NBS has brought many fine artists to New Zealand microphones, and when the Awatea berths at Wellington on May 26 she will have on board an eminent Australian bass-baritone, Frederick Collier, who has been engaged for a tour of the national stations. Mr. Collier has. been in great denand over the Australian Broadcast Commission network, and during his six weeks’ visit to these shores will present programmes rangiug from ballad to oratorio. BACH and Schumann will be _ heard from 2Y Ain the evening programine on April 3, played by Cara Hall, fifteen-year-old New Zealand pianist. Hailing from Wanganui and possessing the coveted L.R.S.M. degree, her playing is exceptionally masculine for a girl of her years, and her strength of character and bright personality is reflected in her work. Listeners will undoubtedly be captivated by the brilliant ability of this young prodigy. YVHETHER or not it was because March 23 was the ninetieth anniversary of the founding of the province of Otago, the day was more closety observed as a holiday than usual. More people showed interest in the occasion than in former years and hundreds were disappointed to learn that the celebrations held in the Early Settlers’ Hall were open for descendants of the pioneers only. It was here that 4YA stepped into the breach and, by carrying out successful relays of the most important parts of the proceedings both in the afternoon and in the evening, gave thousands of people an opportunity of participating in the anniversary in their own homes. ADAPTED by W. Graeme-Hol-der from a play by C. S. Forester, a recorded presentation of "T'97" qill be featured from 8 to 9.18 pn. by 1VYA on Monday, April 4, This was recorded in the laboratory of the NBS in Welling-

ton by a capable cast. As the title suggests it is a drama staged in a submarine of the German Navy. Mr. Graeme-Holder was the winner of the playwriting competition, and formerly lived in Auckland. KEW names are more familiar to listeners than that of Montague Phillips. He was born in

1885, and studied at the Royal Academy of Music, of which he later became a Fellow Professor of Composition and Examiner. His music for the romantic opera, "The Rebel Maid," is perhaps his most considerable stage work. Songs by Montague Phillips figure constantly in programmes, and much of his music is popular in the best sense of the word. But his music is not all of the light-hearted order which listeners know best. He has composed in more serious vein, and his larger works include a symphony, a symphonic poem on the subject of -Boadicea, ‘an overture

called "Heroid" Overture and a pianoforte concerto. At 8 p.m. on April 6, the 2YA Concert Orchestra will give the premiere performance of a new Montague Phillips opus known as the "Charles the Second" Overture. Heredity DDAUGHTER of the late Mr. Herbert Bloy, who was well known as a sound violinist in Wellington, Miss Leela Bloy ig rapidly making a name for herself as a violinist in Auckland. It looks as though there is something in heredity. This little lady, still in her teens, has performed with outstanding success on the concert platform, and a future is predicted for her. A member of 1YA’s concert orchestra, she is to be featured with this conbination on Friday, April 8, playing Wieniawski’s "Concerto No. 2." This is a work which bristles with difficulties, the cadenza testing to the full the player’s capacity for controlling the instrument.

"Quartet" "(QQUARTET," a radio play in four Ioyements, will be presented by George H.. A. Swan and company on April 6 from 2YA. This feature gives a dramatic insight into the lives of a musical combination. Their quarrels, jealousies, loves and loyalties are well portrayed by the players. It is written and adopted for the microphone by Cedrie Wallis. Not Even Bowls "FLL play you on Tuesday night," said one well-known Christchurch bowler to another recently. "No you won't," was the reply. "I’m going home to hear ‘Westward Ho!’-I won't miss that for anything." That brief bit of chat speaks for the popularity of the serial which has been running through 8YA programmes for some months. It concludes, to the regret of many listeners, with Episode 65, on April 16. The dramatisation of Kingsley’s novel has been a favourite with young and old. Two Sisters TARANAKLI is justly proud of the Cartwright sisters, Evelyn and Ena. These two artists, soprano and contralto, respectively, are Stratford girls, and always in demand at the principal musical festivals in the district. They will be heard as soloists in their own right from 2YA on Saturday, April 9, when they will each present a bracket of popular ballads.

Party Night [7 cecurred to Miss Bessie Pollard, a fine ‘Christchurch pianist’ often heard over 3YA, to give a party: for her many friends on the station’s staff. She invited every one to her house in

Spreydon the other night and entertained them happily. Junior members of the staff watched with awe while programme-organiser. Allan "Young fashioned a very passable alligator out of «a piece of paper, and orehestra!conductor Gil Dech did some knitting with match sticks and a yard of wool. "Whirligigs" BEGINNING on April 12, 4YA wiil "present the second series of talks | in the "Whirligig of Time.’ Womens speakers covered "Women in History" in the first series, and the next five talks will be delivered by men. The new series is entitled "History of War and Peace." Mr; W. G. MceClymont will be the first on the air, and will deal with events up to the Battle of Waterloo. Mr. N. S. Woods will be heard on April 19, "Waterloo to the Great War." Present world dangers will be covered. by the Hon. W. Downie Stewart on April 26, and the following week Dr. E. N. Merrington will speak on "The League of Nations Idea Before the Great War." On May 10 the series will be completed when Dr. Merrington will again appear before the microphone speaking on ‘The League of Nations After the Great War." Music To Them BY now most men-in-the-street-listeners have not got over the novelty of listening in to the shrieks, roars, moans and, apparently curses, that come over the air when a wool sale is broadcast in its entirety. But there is a section of the coim-

munity that would, in some cases, rather hear the vocalisation of the bidders than the finest opera ever written. And they, naturally, are the growers. The fourth Christchurch wool sale is scheduled for (Continued over page.)

the Radiant Hail, on April &. Station 31'A, as usual, will let farm--ers Fnow just how things are. Three Women [NXUsvaL combination, quite new to the air, is the Carina Trio, of wo-men-a soprano, mezzo-soprano, and a eontralto. Such a combination has not been exploited much either in revordings or flesh and blood, although a num-_ber-of male trios are to be heard. And so it will be a refreshing change when the Carina Trio is heard from 1YA on Saturday, April 9, in a short recital of popular numbers of the art ballad type. The singers have all been heard from this station before, but not in trio work, The Teachers WHEN music tenchers get together they are like journalists. talking nothing but "shop." But then "shop" in both professions is naturally of worldwide interest. The Canterbury branch of the Music Teachers’ Association is ‘a strong one, having for president Dr. J, CO. Bradshaw, When the branch held its annual meeting the other night in Christchurch, it was reported that after giving £24 to various musical scholarship funds a credit balance was left. Not bad, these days! Dr. Bradshaw was again elected president, and supporting him will be Miss J. L. Black and Mr. Alfred Bunz, vice-presidents; Mrs. H. Beck, Misses Maude Halliday, Lilian Harper and Bessie Pollard, Messrs. F. A. Bullock, C. H. Davies and W. Hutchens, council: Mr. R. L. Ronaldson, solicitor; Mr. R. L. Bush, auditor; and Mr. L. Barnes, secretary and treasurer. The president and Mr. Bunz will be delegates to the annual conference of the association to be held in Wellington in May, Her Fame WHEN Emmeline Goulden was born in Manchester, in 1858, it is hardly likely her parents would have thought she wag destined to become truly famous. Emmeline married Dr. Pankhurst, and, in 1889, she began a ‘campaign in the interests of women, when, with her husband, she founded the Women’s TIranchise League. In 1908 she founded the Women’s Social and Political Union, and soon afterward there began her great drive for "Votes for Women.’ Whether her rather violent methods were right or wrong-in any event she suffered imprisonment in her crusade-she ultimately achieved her aims. Of all twentieth century women she was great, if in an unusual way. On Tuesday night next, Mrs. F. J. Turner will complete the first of the Whirligig of Time series, "Women in History," ftom 4¥A, tvhen she will speak on "Mrs. Patikhurst and Twentieth Century Women," Coming Soprano INKED up with the musical actiyities of Timarn, is the name of Holdgate, which stands for an old family now turning out at least its third top-grade singer. Madame Carn Holdgate has heen heard in many concert performances, both on the platform and on the air. Mr. Ralph Holdgate, too, has done a great deal of excellent singing, And now Miss Audrey Hold-

gate, young soprano, is carrying on the tamily tradition. She gave a most pleasing interlude from 38YA on March 18. She possesses what many singers lack-perspicuity in the choice of her songs. Miss Holdgate was a finalist in the aria contest at the last Wellington competitions, and, with systematic practice, should make something really worth while of her voice. Radio Play INCE "Tost Horizon" was made into a film, James Hilton has leapt into popularity as a writer, although, be-

fore the film appeared. he had already achieved fame overseaxs with his Gelightful little story "Goodbye, Mr. Chips." Althongh it does not appear to be very well remembered, a radio yersion of "Lost Horizon" was broadeast from the studios of the NBS about two years ago, and an excellent job was made of a difficult play. On Monday night from 4YA will be heard "And Now Goodbye," a play based ou a story by James Hilton. From the nature of the story the producer might find it not so easy to handle, but this part of the presentation is in good hands. Mrs, E, T. Moller is responsible. Folly "APRIL FOOL'S DAY, It’s Hictories and Follies." is the fitle of a @ramatic review to be given at 9.30 on March 31 from 2YA. The presentation will show the history of the day right hack to its extremely old origins. Several jokes. will be dramatised by way of illnstration, while there will be a running commentary by a narrator, Inside Europe ROFESSOR F. L. W. WOOD, history man at Victoria University College, who has many radio followers and has sometimes filled Dr. Scholefield’s place in talks on World Affairs from 2YA. has just returned from visits to France, Germans and Enpzland, and to the centre of the League of Nations at Geneva. This week he

is broadcasting from 2YA on "The Whig Triumph in England," in the "Whirligig of Time" series, and later on he wiil give a number of talks for the NBS on his observations in Europe. Wider Field ISITOR to Wellington ‘last week was Mr. Donglas Cresswell, wellknown for his talks from 8¥A. He had been visiting Motueka in search of material for further talks. While he was in Weliington the NBS recorded several of his talks, including three jn the historic estates series dealing with the families of the Rhodes, Deans, and Griggs, that he gave from Chiistchurch. The talks will thus be available for the other nationul stations. Time And Tide SCHEDULED for presentation by 1YA on Friday evening, April 8, is a talk labelled "Time And Tide Wait For No Man,’ to be delivered by Mr. F. Hope Jones, inventor of the free pendulum clock and the designer of the time-signal system adopted by the BBC. Mr. Hope Jones recorded the talk in Wellington recently when he was on a visit. Elgar HIGHLIGHTS on 1YA’s programme on Sunday, April 3, will be the little-played "Falstaff," one of Elgar’s biggest orchestral works, presented by the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by the composer, Sir Edward Blgar. It is the Falstaff as we know him in Henry IV-tbe knight, gentleman and soldier, not the figure of fun as ig known in "The Merry Wives of Windsor."

the first command performance years ago. Possessing a repertoire of 125 songs, Miss Shields imparted the information that she could proceed against anyone who merely played the chorus of some uf them, because they were her exclusive property. For The Arts A§ its name implies, the Society for "" Imperial Culture, Christchurch, with which Professor James Shelley has been associated for long, gives its energies to the fostering of the arts, particularly musie and the drama. so strong is this seciety and so attractive are its programmes, both in speech and yocal and instrumental music, that the controllers have little difficulty in persuading the best performers and speakers in the city to attend their meetings and give members the benefit of their experience. Lecturers during the past

year have included Drs, K. Popper, E. W. G. White, and H. E. Fieid, Messrs, Ian Donnelly, H. C. D. Somerset, Ernest Jenner, and Professor Shelley, while leading musicians have presented appropriate selections. Players AND still they come. Christchurch seems to be a training ground, and a valuable one, for the repertory movement. Now it has a new group, added to the many which have been heard over 3YA, and the name is the "Beverley Players." "London Wall," John Van Druten’s three-act play, will be given by the new players from 8YA on April 7 from 8 p.m. to 9.15 p.m. Highlight HEN drawing attention to important material to be broadcast from 4YA it is impossible to overlook ‘Mas-

terpieces of Music." The manner in which these highlights are presented to listeners makes of them outstanding highlights. Dr. Galway will conduct the session from 4YA on April 7, when two important numbers will be given: Fugue in G Minor (the Great), composed by Bach, and "Eventyr" (Once Upon a Time), by Delius. Strauss HE complete opera "Rosenkavalier," hy Hugo von Hofmannstah]l-ma-sie by Richard Strauss-will be presented by 8YA on April 3, Delightful themes are interwoven into the movements of this work, some of the most haunting occurring again and again. The presentation will take from 8.30 p.m, to 10.30 p.m. Motoring ][T is some years since 1YA offered listeners talks upon motoring. Formerly these talks were evell liked, but they were discontinued after a long period of weekly chats had been presented. But now there are so many thousands of owner-drivers and domestic cars are so ubiquitous that the station has decided to resume these discussions under the label of "Motoring." A series of three are to be given by one who prefers to be known as "Condenser." The first will be

heard at 7.30 p.m. on Monday, April 4, and the others will follow at weekly intervals. Birds To Give JARLY last week the Mayor of Auckland, Sir Ernest Davis, communicated with Neddo, of 1ZB, to seek his advice in order to solve a problem. The problem-or problems-consisted of 60-odd homing pigeons which were far too many for the Mayor to have flying around his home at Kohimarama. Some years ago Sir Ernest brought two pairs of pigeons to his home, but now he has over 60 birds. Could Neddo give some away to his army of child listeners?, "Of course,’ replied WNeddo. "Thanks," said Sir Ernest, for he did not wish to destroy them, And.so that

very evening Neddo broadcast an announcement telling the kiddies that if they were good to their parents and ate all their vegetables, they could each have a pigeon if they wanted one, Over 200. wanted birds. Last Thursday a number of cases containing the pigeons arrived addressed to Neddo at 1ZB’s studio and he spent almost the whole day giving them away to good children, Revue AST week 4ZB broadcast two suc cessful back-stage relays from the Connors and Paul show at His Majesty’s Theatre, the most successful being the relay of the Maypole dance from "Hoity-Toity." During the week several members of the company, including the Four K’s, Instrumental Novelty Quartet, Al Wiser, Mike Connors and Sid Beck, were featured in studio presentations. . Circus Firry kiddies from the Nelson Street Community Sunshine School were given a great treat last Saturday afternoon, when Neddo, of 1ZB, had them transported to a circus in motor ears hauled along the streets by two huge elephants belonging to the circus. The circus arranged for all the children to see the show as their guests, Neddo, perched on the top of a bull elephant, led the procession and at intervals broadcast a commentary of the procession through 1ZB, There were numerous clowns and funny men from the circus to entertain the children on their way to the circus. For Lunch [LIONEL SCEATS has been entrusted with the delicate task of providing the melodic condiments for Dunedin’s mid-day meal, Shortly, from 12 noon until 2 p.m. he will entice listeners’ appetites with the best digestive rhythms on "record." This Really new Twelwe till tivo Rendezvous, Is Sure to please 4Z B's Devotees, I; seems as if Lionel will add to his "Karly Otago" and "Oamaru Hour" features an equally attractive "4ZB Luncheon Session." Travel "FITS surprising how many people are interested in world travel although they might not have the means to get very far from their own home towns," said Teddy Grundy, of 38ZB, in a chat with the "Record’ Ilast week. His travel talk sessions have been well liked and he is pleased with the type of question sent in. Most of the inquir-

ers actually answer their own questions and merely ask for confirmation, Here’s the sort of thing he is asked: "What is the length and depth of the Panama Canal? Who built the Suez Canal?’ Already these travel talks have been going on for three months, Their "Gracie" TATION 8ZB has "discovered" for Christchurch a miniature "Gracie Fields" in Miss June Bassett who, obviously, has made a keen study of some

of the big star’s most popular vocal tricks. She has been on the air a good deal lately in relays from the Civie Theatre, with Mrs. Warrilow at the Civie organ. The feature has been well liked and the series of bracketed numhers, or "Sunday night cameos," as 3ZB likes to call them, will be in yogue for some time, Violinist N the front rank of musicians in Dunedin is Miss Ethel Wallace, violinist. For many years she was first lead to the Dunedin Orchestral Society, and she occupied a similar position in the city’s leading picture theatre orchestra under Mr. de Rose. Quite frequently the quality of her playing with the orchestra singled her out for special applause, and any solo numbers rendered by her invariably "brought down the house." Miss Wale lace is now a music teacher, a capable and conscientious instructress. Miss Wallace will be giving a recital from 4YA on Sunday night, and her programme will include several popular operatic numbers.