PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

Radio Record, 27 May 1938, Page 16

PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

RADIO PIONEERS ARE STILL YOUNG

RESIDENT in Australia is Mary Brett, the New Zealand song composer, late of Auckland. She is well known by her songs "Horses of the Dawn," and "Eily Aroon." She wus one of the official pianists at the recent Histeddfod at Sydney, and was winner of the "Sydney Sun" Sang Competition. Out of over five hundred competitors, Mary Brett won the prize of £100. Aucklanders will recall the sterling musical criticisms of Mary Brett's brother, Jasper, on the shortlived "Auckland Sun." In her song "Wily Aroon,"’ heard from time to time on the radio, Mary Brett composed a song which may. yet bring her a wider fame, and, let us hope, more fortune.

Organiser of the first ukulele trio to play in Christ-ehureh-when thut

dainty instrument had won the lassies and lads of the Dominion-Miss Flaine Moody found success, and wisely decided to extend her activities. So she introduced the guitar, Spanish and steel, and then took up piano-accordion playing. Miss Moody wag one of the first soloists with guitar to become microphonie at the first Christchurch station in Hereford Street; then she was one of the few artists to play on the night of the change-over to the A. R. Harris Company, then she performed for the New Zealand Broadeasting Board. and latterly she has played at

SYA for the NBS. And so, strangely enough, this young girl can be called a pioneer, To-day she appears on 3ZB’s pro grammes and, although engaged to be married to one of the members of her trio, Mr. Len Archer, she does not Intend, she says, to give up playing or teaching,

RADIO RHYTHM iN THE CLASSICS

The Radio Rhythm Boys, a trio of instrumentalists heard over 8YA re-

gularly for some time, has put modern rhythm into the classics, naughty though it sounds. But this

trio ig unusual, Its leader, Mr. Allen Wellbrock, launched his pianistic career in orthodox fashion, became au A.R.C.M., and then decided that "rhythm" was his forte. He gathered in two more artists, and behold-a com. bination that, with piano, voice aud instrumental work, makes 8YA listeners sit up and listen. Mr. Wellbrock confesseg that he is a keen admirer of Victor Sylvester, Duke Ellington (of course), Benny Goodman in threepiece work, and other overseas instru: mentalists whose presentutions hare been brought to New Zealand per res cordings. In the trio Allen takes the piano; Les Browne does the drums aud effects, and Martin Winiata sings as well as playing. through the reed of a top-price saxophone, clarinet or what you will, Each member of the trio has had a good deal of experience in dance work, and the art of "doubling" is nothing new for the purpose of giving a new twist to a popular melody, The Radio Rhythm Boys will be heard over 3Y¥A again on May 31.

CARRIED FULL SCORE IN HIS BRAIN

Conducting without a score always seems to savour of bravado. But obe

must admire the conductor who can curry a full orchestral secure in his head. There is an interesting story ubout Toscanini bearing on this faculty of memorising. During the interval in a performance a double-buss player

sane to him and said his A string had broken and he had no means of re placing it. What on earth was he to dv’ ‘Toseanini said nothing, but. looked rather far away, so the player asked him again. "It’s all right,’"’ said Toscanini, "I have just been going

Elgar Loved His Radio

JN Basil Maine’s "Elgar, His Life and Works," there is a very human passage that shows how ‘lgar enjoved his radio. He used to love following a relaved or a recorded performance with the score. Meanwhile, not content with haying conducted the performances for the records, he proceeded to control the gramophone yersion of that performanee, By continually twisting the con trols he obtained sharper and more sudden contrasts than are possible in the concert hall, and was delighted with the discoveries he made in the heightening of effects. Once, in one of his vwn works, ie turned the control so that the music appeared to recede from a dream = environment. Wonder aud awe were 1) his eyes as he listened to the unreal effect. As if he bad forgotten that Was on work of his own imagining, he quietly suid, "That is what 1 cal) music." A talk on "Elgar, The Man," by Mr. Clement Howe, will be given at 2YA on Thursday, June 2, Elgar’s birthday.

through your part. You don’t need that string any more to-night." On Sunday, May 29, the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York, under Arturo Toscanini, will be heard from 4YA,

SAYS HE iS ALMOST A GENTLEMAN

Although Billy Bennett was put into a marine insurance broker's

office, he soon threw it up to turn acrobat. Perhaps a strong reason was the fact that he came of music-hall stock. He soon discovered that acrobatics were not all they were cracked up to he, so he gave that up to join the Lancers, He soon made a wonderful name for himself with his comic turns, but his career as a comedian was nipped in the bud. through the war. He served his four years without losing his sense of humour, Billy swims, plays golf, motors, and is-"‘almost a gentleman." The funniosities of Billy Benneti will entertain listeners to 1YVA’s Music, Mirth and Melody Session, on Wednesday, June 1.

SOLOIST UNDER SIR CHARLES SANTLEY

Among the valuable experiences of A. G. Thompson,

the Christchurch baritoue, Wag a term as soloist under the late Sir Charles Santley, at the Pro-Cathedral, South Kensington, Having learned to read music wellnigh perfectly at sight, he was able to give exceptional service in this and vther London churches. At the age of eight Mr. Thompson was already i: ehorister, and at ten was solo boy st St. James’s Church, West Hampsteail, later holding other church posts. Besides being a choir conductor, Mr. Thompson has a more than passing interest in orchestral matters. A. G. Thompson, baritone, wil! appear at 3YA on Wednesday, June

FROM TRE LAND OF THE VIOLINISTS

From Hungary, the country of origin of Joachim, Hubay, Szigeti and a hun-

dred other brilliant violinists, comes Kimil Telmanyi (born 1892). Although he showed extraordinary musical gifts at an early age, he was not exploited as a prodigy, but was sent to the Royal Academy of Music at Budapest, to receive an all-round musical education. which, although he was a violinist, included composition, conducting and piano, In 1911 Telmanyi took his desree as virtuoso, coinposer and teacher. In the same year he made his debut in Berlin with the Philharmonic Orchestra, on which occasion he gave the lirst performance in Germany of §E!gar‘s Violin Concerto, He is also a competent conductor. Emil Telmanyi, violinist. will be heard at 4YA on Sunday, May 28. .

IN THE MIDDLE OF A SONG

Marly this. month Lotte Lehmann, standing on the Covent Garden

stage alone in the first aet of "Der Resenkavalier," broke off her song, threw up her hands and eried, "I ean’t go on." Suffering from a chill, the strain of sustaining an exacting operntie role proved too much for her. Some singers never suffer from colds --they are the lucky ones. At the eightieth birt hday dinner given by the Musicians’ Club to Ben Davies, the Welsh tenor, it was divulged he never

iad a cold all through his life. The reasons for this remarkable record might be attributed to three reasons~~ le never coddled himself, he was never fearful of colds, and he never ran himself into a state of weakness. Colds are certainly the bugbear of the singing profession. In Lotte Lehmann‘s records no colds are evident. She will be heard from 3YA on Wednesday, June 1.

WAGNER’S FIGHT FOR RECOGNITION

Possibly ao com. poser had a harder struggle to achieve fame than did Wag.

uer. For Wagner was one who desired to break away from the commonplace. He wished to compose operas that went beyond the principles of the Italian operas, which were largely one song after another, with no action between. Wagner wanted action, the music and _ the words to be a necessary part of both. His path to fame was a thorny one. His work received the contempt of critics and contemporary composers. "Tannhauser" was jeered and hissed on its first publie performance. There seems little doubt that the antagonisfie reception which greeted its preseptation in Paris, and which resulted jin its complete failure, was an organised one. Partly, perhaps, a political grudge

that was them held against Wagner had something to do with the opposition aroused. Others of his works suffered similarly, Wagner struggled on. He died famous, and in Bayreuth a Festival Playhouse in his honour has been built; he came into his own after a long, long struggle for recognition. Prelude to Act UZ, "Lohengrin." will be discussed by Dr. V. BE. Galway, next Thursday night, during the Cee nioces of Music" session, from 4 ‘

HIS FIDDLE NOT HIS SWEETHEART

When one said in these columns recently (April %)

that the coming-of-age of Yehudi Menuhin was no routine affair, one never thought that in little over a month his engagement wonld be announced. Yehudi is affianced to Miss Nola Nicholas, a2 Melbourne girl of 20, and the wedding takes place at a regis. trar’s office before May is out. More than one popular vocalist: has preclaimed "My Fiddle is My Sweetheart." but we hardly think this to be Yehudi's Or Nola’s feeling aj the moment, His many friends in New Zealand wish him "all the best" for the future. Yehudi Menuhin, violinist, will be heard in 2YA’s programme on Sunday, May 29.

"MARRY WHEN YOU’RE BOTH YOUNG"

The approaching marriage of Yehudi Menuhin (21) and Nola Nicholas (20).

ot Melbourne, lends additional interest to the recently-expressed views in Sydney of Lawrence Tibbett on early mar’ riage. On his own successful experience he recommends it. "Early marriage," he says, "should give young men what it gave me-more incentive to work, and & greater pleasure in sharing what that incentive has brought, One of the great advantages is that it’ can mean children early. They grow up not far behind you, with no great gap in tastes and enthusiasms. It also places responsibility on a man at a time when it is good for him: the economic necessity of providing for two, or maybe three, is a spur which usu. ally brings .out the besi." Whe glorious voico of Sibbett. already known on the radio through his superb recordings, will soon be heard in New Zealand at first hand.

WHEN GEORGE MADE HIS DEBUT

‘The very first. night George Grossmith walked on to 24 Dlatform to do his

spot of society entertaining was at outhsea, the date, September 38, 1889. The hall was cranimed with a fashionable audience, which included H.R... the Duke of York ( later ‘King George Vv). Such a reception would have heartened the most timid of humorists, and in "Gee-Gee’s" case the excitenrent prevented him from sleeplag for nig ts. On this historic oceasion Grossmith had to wait some little. time at the start because some person had taken the Duke of York’s seat. The story of Grossmith’s successful entertaining career is most delightfully set forth in his book, "Piano and 1." 2YA listeners will renew their acquaintance with a popular modern eittertainer at the piano on Thursday, June 2. Almost needless te announce, the title act is "A Piano and Will Bishop"

Harbottle Was Just An Accident

{T may be news to thousands who laugh so heartily at Will Hay and his Scholars, that the St. Michael’s sketch was first played by Will Hay alone, with an imaginary class, ‘Then one boy was added. Ifarbottle, the ancient, was just 2 brilliant accident. Another boy was wanted in a hurry. Will could not get one for love nor money. He decided ou the spur of the moment to create instead the character an old man who had never lef; school, and leg him drool of shoes and ships and sealingwax, and cabbages and kings. JYA listeners will hear Will Ma, and His Scholars in the Music, Mirth and Melody Session on Friday, June 3.