PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

Radio Record, 29 April 1938, Page 16

PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

ae go "a I HOSE fortunate people who see the various productions of the Wellington Repertory Society all know the familiar figure that presides at the piano, that important member of the trio which provides the incidental music for the plays. Admirers and friends by the hundred appreciate the ‘splendid work she so unostentatiously and efficiently does season after season. It is the pianist’s back that the ‘audience sees mostly, but face to face Mrs. MacDonald is a genial soul of rare temperament, a type without which public societies of almost any kind would find it hard to function, In association with two others, Mrs. MacDonald will be heard in a trio playing "Popular Serenades," from 2YA on Thursday, May 5.

WHEN CICELY CAME TO NEW ZEALAND

Both parents of Cicely Courtneidye were on the stage, and her grand-

mother, Cicely Adams, Was a fine oper: singer, When fRobert Courtneidge’s daughter was born in Sydney, in 1893. She was named after granny. The very hotel she was born tn at Sydney had stage associations-it was owned by the father of Oscar Asche. Cicely’s debut was at the age of eight, as Peasblossom in her father’s production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at Manchester. This production came "down under," where she again played the same part at Melbourne. As this production toured New Zealand, it is quite possible that many of the elders

fsunongst us saw Cicely the child, long before Cicely the comedienne convulsed us with her recorded comicalities. Station 3YA listeners wilj hear Cicely Courtneidge in the Musie, Mirth and Melody Session on Friday, May 6.

THACKERAY AMD HIS BROKEN MOSE

When William Makepeace Thackeeny was at Char. terhouse Sehool

two of .his chums, Juhn Kemble and

George Venables, broke the bridge of his nose when they were playing together. A similar accident, it may be remembered, had befallen the great Florentine sculptor; and it is not impossible that his defaced lineaments may have suggested to the mind of Thackeray the incongruous pen-name of "Michael Angelo Titmarsh," which he hag more completely identified with himself than apy other. At 1YA on Friday, May 6, D'Arey Cresswell will read extracts from Thaskeray’s "Nellow, Plush Papers."

COULD MAKE THE ANIMALS FUNNY

Jane Carr (whose real name is ’ Brunstrom) was born at Whitley

Bay, Northumberland, and was edaucat~ed at Harrogate College. In the school holidays she took her teddy bear and monkey to the Newcastle studios of the BBO and asked George Marshall if she could go on the air. She said she could make the animals very funny, Mr. Marshall said it was a pity they weren’t real, but Jane replied they were very real to her. He let her try. Then someone wrote to the papers and asked who the funny animals were. She then began broadcasting every week. She made up stories around Teddy and Chimpey, and gave them adventures. She still has them, and they’re her greatest friends. Station 4YA listeners will hear dane Carr, entertainer, in the Music, Mirth and Melody Session on Tuesday, Muay 3.

VOICE OF DEANNA ON THE AIR

Born in Winnipeg, Canada, December 14, 1922, blue-eyed, brown-haired

Deanna Durbin sprang into world fame in her first film, "Three Smart Girls."’?’ Her subsequent successes, "100 Men and a Girl" and "\flad About Music," have confirmed the most optimistic prophecies regarding her artistic future. She was taken to Hollywood when she was a year old. She began to sing children’s songs al-

inost as soon as she could talk. By the time she was ten her parents realised she had definite talent, and took her to a singing teacher. Prior to her introduction to the films, al! her public concert experience Was confined to local entertuinments. In 8VYA’s Musie, Mirth and Melcdy Session on Monday, May 2, the golden voices of Deanna Durbin will ba heard,

Made Music For The "Greenwood Tree"

TRORN in Manchester and educated at the Manchester College of Music, Maurice Winnick, violinist and orchestral leader, first began professional work playing in various cinema orchestras. Following provincial and London experience, Maurice devoted a good deal of attention to film work, providing music for many pictures, including "Atlantic" and "Under the Greenwood Tree." Maurice Winnick and His Sweetest Music is now a favourite combination, and broadcasts frequently, His signature tune is "The Sweetest Music This Side of Heaven," This orchestra will be heard from 4YA on Tuesday, May 3. rn

WITHOUT OR WITH HIS STICK.

Albert Coates wishes to found a school of conductors which does not use

a stick. The idea first came to Hin when he saw the conductorless orchestra years ago in Moscow. ‘The first violin there acted as conductor as well as concert muster, He sit in the centre of the orchestra Wilh ine mein facing him, the violins with their packs to the audience. The result, xnccording to Mr. Coates. was to give the musicians more confidence in themselves uS well as their leader. After careful rehearsal, he believes thaj, good orchestra men can play without excessive time-heating. Albert Coates and Symphony Orchestra will be heard from 4¥YA on Tuesday, May 3.

HE WORKED FOR ENGLISH MUSIC

If any man worked with might and main for the revival of worthy old Enz-

» lish music it was Sir Richard Runciman | Terry, whose death is announced at the age of 73. Born at Ellington. Northumberland, Sir Richard had a comprehensive education, and was at both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. In 1896 he was appointed organist at Downside Abber. going jn 1901 to the important post of director of music at Westminster Cathedral. where he remained for nearly a quarter of a century, Since 1924, Sir Richard devote his time to writing and musical re. search, especially in the field of ‘Tudor music, folk songs and sea shanties. He Was an apt lecturer, an expert arranger and a gifted author, with a delicious sense of humour, His work in musical direction stands for all time in his notable gramophone recordings of early English chureh music, a side of bis work which js hest, known by radio Jis: teners, Sir Richarg Terry visited Austraila last year under contract to the Australian Broadcasting Commission, and directed several programmes of early English church music.

DEATH OF ENGLISH WRITER ON MUSIC

One of the most delightful writers (on music, Alexander Bell Filson

Young has just died ar the age of 61. Filson Young has been intimately associated with radio, He wrote "The World We Listen In" feature of the "Radio Times" (London) from 1930 np to his death, Before going into journalism Filson Young studied at the Royal Manchester College of Music, His hooks include novels, general liternture. and such books as "Mastersingers." ‘ Mastersingers." "Opera S-ories" and others. hesidés, as a side Jine his editing of "Notable Trials"’ Radio circles in England will miss his wise eounsel and graceful literary efforis on all aspects of radio. He was a composer, and eventally heeame Advisor On [Programmes to the BBC in 1926. He wrote and sponsored many outstanding programmes.

TALENT? SON VIOLIN MAKER

Still on the right side of forty. Adolf Busch, the German violinist composer-

conductor. is the son of a violin maker of Siegen, in Westphalia, He is a musician of modesty, taste, simplicity and directness, About a dozen years go Adolf Busch moved to Basle, Switbecause its central position

gave him greater facilities for travelling to his many foreign engagements and professional reaching. As a composer he bas already several symphonies, a violin concerto, some violin sonatas and trios and quartets to his credit. On Wednesday, May 3. listeners to 1YA will hear the Adolph Busch Chamber Players,

ONCE He WAS GAWKY BOY

From his gawky days, when Lavwrence Tibbett tumbled about like an

overgrown St. Bernard pup, he emerged into perfect articulate control; from the howls of babyhood he developed a mighty voice, us unruly as his own gawky self, and this, too, he learned to control until it could roar lustily in simulated] rage or coo sweetly as the yoice of the mourning dove to make play upon his imagination of love and langour. When the two things metthe lovely voice, the mighty muscular boily-he moulded them into a perfect synthesis for the expression of Life. Lawrence Tibbett, baritone. who passed through Auckland last week on his way to Sydney, will be heard in the Music, Mirth and Malody Session at 4YA on Tuesday, May 3

FOLLOWING IN FATHER’S FOOTSTEPS

Following in his father’s footstep: is Karl Ulrich Schnabel, the son vf Artur

Schnabel. From the first records made by Artur and Karl it was made clear that the name of Schnabel, on a programme, whatever the initials, makes a promise to the listener of an excellence that is invariably cashed in full. With the London Symphony Orchestra, Schnabel and Svu have recorded Bach’s great Concerto in © Major for two pianos. This work will be heard from 2YA on Tuesday, May 5.

BARBIROLLI HAD HIS LEAN DAYS

In 1914 (that is, at the age of 14) John Barbirolli had left the Roval Academy

and was seeking to earn his living as a player on the ’cello, which is never an easy task, and was a particularly difficult task in those early days of the war. He was glad to play anywhere and everywhere, though never, as hus been stated, jn the streets. (Von Biene, however, had to resort to this in his early days in London.) He took a succession of engagements as ’cello player in various cinemas, and afterwards was with the Carl Rosa and the Beecham Opera Companies, and for a_ while played in the Queen's Hall Orchestra. Station 1YA listeners will hear John Barbirolli, ’cellist, on Sunday afternoon, May i,

HEBREW WHO 1S A COMEDIAN

Born jn America, the late Julian Rose, famous Hebrew comedian,

went to the British music-hall stage carly in the century. He was the original " Potash" in America in that very amusing play, "Potash and Perlmutter." Always a star and top of the bill, Rose’s turn was unique. He fired off jokes at un amazing speed-well over 200 words a minute-often complaining that the audience was half-a-dozen laughs late. He is best known to New Zealand radio listeners as the Jewish character Levinsky in "Levinsky’s Wedding." Julian Rose, entertainer, will be heard in the music, mirth and melody session at 4YA on Tuesday, May 5.

HE SANG "HER NAME IS MARY"

Among the vocalists who first broadcast with Harold Ramsay’s Rhythm Sym-

phony Orehestra for the BBC, was a pretty American blonde named Mary Fern. Mary is not the first singer a conductor hus fallen in love with, and it was not. surprising that Harold Ram. say, organist and conductor. suecumbed to her charms and married her in the States. His famous song, "Her Name Is Mary." was written about his wife, and dedicated to her. Harold Ramsay, Organist, will be heard in the Music, Mirth and Melody recordings at 3YA on Friday, May 6.

WHAT SANDY OWES TO PANTOMIME

It was pantomime that put Sandy Powell, then a young lad from

Rotherham, on the map. He played in "Cinderella" in Leeds 13 years ago, and since then he has never looked back, On Tuesday, May 3, Sandy Powell, comedian, will be heard from 4¥A.

No. 27 AS THE ARTIST SEES THEM

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