FRENCH ORGANIST ON AIR

Radio Record, 17 June 1938, Page 18

FRENCH ORGANIST ON AIR

Broadcasts By Renee Nizan-Her Place Among World Performers-Inter-Varsity Debate-Recital By Alan Loveday-Staff Changes At 2ZB And 3ZB-Features By Commercials

ESCRIBED as "the -modern St. Cecilia," Renee Nizan, young ‘French organist, is now touring New Zealand, and arrangements have been made by the NBS to broadcast parts of her recitals. Following her relay from the Basilica, Wellington, on June 12. she will be heard from the Dunedin Town Hall, through 4YA, on Tuesday, June 21, at 8 pm.; and 1YA will relay. fat 8 p.m. on June 25) part of her recital from the Auckland Town Hall. From New Zealand Mile. Nizan goes to’ Australia. DESPITE her youth, Mile. Nisan has won a place for herself -among leading European organtsis. She has love of the king of instruments in her blood, for her futher was for many years orgamst of the Church of Notre Dame de Boulogne, Paris, and her brothers (one of whom, M. Alain Nizan, accompanies her as manager) are also very accomplished players. She -was a pupil of Dallier ané Louis Vierne, who was organist of Notre Dame, and who at his death last year was in the front rank of modern composers for the imstrument, WHEN only 14 years old, Mlle. Nizan gave her first public ve- cital in Paris, and at 15 appeared 2s soloist with the Pasdeloup Syinphony Orchestra. She has made three tours of the United States, appearing in the principal Canadian cities as well; and she has played in England, Belgium, and Swiizerland. Her present tour of New Zealand marks the first time in possibly a generation that an organist of high repute has visited this country for the purpose of giving recitals. MLLE. NIZAN’S | repertoire covers almost the whole range of organ music, from Bach to some of the newest French composers. It has been her experience that. although many concert-goers are unfamiliar with the organ except through church services, they find genuine pleasure in its music when that is properly yrouped and varied.

QVERSEAS critics have been warm in their praise of Mlle. Nizan. One eulogised her thus: "A brilliant organist-a virtuoso of the very first rank-an organ recitalist whose astonishing technique is matched by an imagination every bit as astonishing. As she plays, the limitations of the organ are forgotten, all its "popular" weaknesses

--offspring of the movie show ail organ loft moronisty-are — as though they had never been. Only the organ remains--king of musicc! instruments noble. dignified, authoritative. and beautiful beyond praise. " AX extremely interesting subject for many listeners hag beeu selected for an ‘inter-varsity debate between Auckland University College and’ Vie toria University College. for broadcas: on Sunday. June 19. The subject is "That the Existing Gambling Laws are Cusuitable and Inequitable and Shouie be Tteyined." P, I. Lewis. P. Day and A. O. Woodhouse will take the affir. mative for Ancklend. while R. W Edgley, Ro EL Seott and C.J. Tread well will adopt the negative for Vie torin. The latter will speak from the °VA siudios and the Aucklanders from 1YA studios. The judge is to be O, ¢ Mazengarb, M.A... L0.M. UT recently arrived from Wngiaud where he played the bassoon with the BBC Orchestra, W. Dearden Jackson will give # short recital ou this instrument from 2YA on June 28 Aparr frum his ability as a bassoonist,

Mr, Jackson is also an accomplished pianist, a "double" which is probably unique. Upon his arrival.in New Zealund his services were sought and secured by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, to whose ranks this capable musician will undoubtedly be an asset. Community Sings YOMMUNITY singing has started ib Christchurch again, in aid of the relief of distress. The city has made a name for itself in its financial collec-

tions through community effort, and it is expected that thig year will see another record achieved. There is a new mayor at the head of civic affairs; there are q new song leader, a new as: sistant and a new pianist. Song leader now is Jack Maybury, of 3ZB, his assistant is Eddie Hegan, well-known Christchurch dancer, and the pianist is Norman Carson. From noon until 1.30 p.m. on 'Thursdays will be devoted to the sings in the Civic Theatre. 3ZB will provide a relay for listeners between 12.30 and 1 p.m. Youthful Prod igy HOR a boy of such tender years, Allan Loveday, New Zealand’s violinist prodigy, displays remarkable ability on his instrument. 2YA will broadcast a sample of his dexterity on June 22 8.16 p.m., when he will play "La Gapricieuse." by Elgar, the Chopin-Wil-helmj "Notturno in D," and Kreisler’s well-known composition ‘"Tambourin Chinois." Russian Basso TNDER engagement to the NBS. AJexander Kipnis, renowned Russian ‘basso, will give the first public concert of his tour at the Wellingtou Town Hall on June 25. Associated With the eminent singer in the capacity of accompanist and assisting artist is Noel Newson, who is no stranger to New Zealand audiences, both of the radio and concert hall. For the benefit of those unable to attend in person, 2Y¥.A will relay the proceedings ' from the Town Hall. Sports 4B is to be congratulated on jis sports service. In addition to giving results covering every avenue of sporting activity, an interesting and informative feature of the sports service has been the introduction of weekly talks by guest speakers. ‘These spealers are usually prominent figures in the world of sport. Last week Mr, E. J, Anderson delivered a model Sports address on Association football, making particular reference to the Jones Cup match between Canterbury and Otago. Mr, Anderson also wag responsible for the commentary on the mateh when it Was relayed by 4ZB. "Thar She Blows!" pip you know that at one time Port Underwood, across Cook Strair from Wellington, was the greatest Whaling port in the world, reckoning by the number of ships there at one time? Mr. Douglas Cresswell Says sv in a talk on the subject from 2YA on June 20. The centre of the picture

is Joby Garde, the whaling pioneer of the Sounds. Jle came there in the early part of the nineteenth century, and bis descendants are still in the locality. It is a fascinating story of endeavour avd adventure, which. ineludes the capture of John Garde'’s wife by the Muaoris and the resulting operations of a British warship.

Harmonic Society FRELA YE) from the coneert chamber, Town Fall, a concert by the Wellington Harmonie Society, condueted by Mr, H. Temple White, will be heard from 2YA on June 21. Assisting artists at this function will be W. Dearden Jackson, Wnglish pianist, and Master Allan Loveday, the boy violinist. Dunedin Soprano WISE policy pursued by the *" National Service is the interchange of artists among the four centres. It gives listeners a chance to hear fresh voices and to compare their own gingers with those in other tosvns. And 0, from 8YA, Christchurch, on June 22, there will be a soprano recital hy Miss Rita Stone, who made a great success of the leading role in a recent Dunedin Operatie Society production. He’s Irish SH URE and ‘tis the Irishman, Danny Malone himself, in person and all present and correct, who will pe heard in his first performance from 3YA on June 21. Listeners who have heard his recordings will diary this date, also June 26. when he will be heard agnin.

Typistes, Beware DBATERS seem to have an unhappy knack of choosing the dullest subjects imaginable. Only oceasionally do the arguments allow the introduction of humour, It looks, then, as if the Christchurch Debating and Publiec-Speaking Society is stepping out a bit when it chooses this subject for a radio debate: "That Woman Has Lost More Than She Has Gained Through Her Entry Into Industry." Obviously there is scope here tor a very entertaining studio. debate from 3YA on June 23. The judge, Mr. P. P. J. Amodeo, of Christchurch, will have to be very discreet when making his decision. _. Three. Talks ()CCASLONALLY w radio talker is obviously a person who has "mugged up" his subject from books. Natiurally reference books must be used by almost everybody in obtaining facts, but a talk that is completely original is something out of the box. Three interesting chats promised from 8YA are on June 20, when Miss Lydia Sydney, founder of the New Age Theatre, will talk about "Founding a Theatre’; on June 23. when Mr. Leicester Webh, of Christchurch, will deal with "World

Affairs," and on June 24, when Mr, P. H. Jones will have something more to say about that all-important element. the weather. For Patients ‘>ZB'S hospital session has been slightly reorganised in that, for the benefit of patients, episodes from "One Man’s Family," presented on Friday nights, are being repeated for hospital folk between 10.15 a.m. and 10.45 am. on Sundays. This concession is yastly appreciated. Back To Work OUNTRY request sessions which became so popular at 3ZB had to be suspended owing to the inconvenience caused by the recent fire at the studios. ‘Now, however, they are being resumed, for the library is once more up to full strength. The broadcasting studio in the temporary premises in Cathedral Square is being used for all work. Nutcracker. RHE life of the Russian composer, Piotr Ilyitch Tschaikovsky, was not exactly a happy one, and much of his musie reflects the sadness which surrounded him, while some of it suggests the more stormy passages of his existence. Nevertheless, his music became: popular, and possibly no other Russian composer captured the fancy of the English musical world so mutch as Tschaikovsky. For all that, the greater percentage of his compositions do noi capture the Russian spirit, this being more prominent in his symphonies which, incidentally. are his most popular writings. His delicate "Nutcracker Suite" has always been well received, and is a favourite with orchestras. This composition will form the basis of Dr. V. BE, Galway’s dissertations in the "Masterpieces of Musie’ session from 4YA next Thursday night. Human Kindness Y WARS ago it was the aecepted thing to make a nice little gift now and then to a uewspaper editor, either in the hope that he would publish something or. more likely, that he wouldy’i Radio announcers are coming in for the same type of attention but, in this case, the donors have nothing to gain or lose. Though he is 6ft. 2in, and vives the scales a fright at 14st. 3lb.. Tau Mackay, of 3ZB, has been receiying a pint of cream three mornings a week from a lady admirer. The milk. Maun is sworn to secreey and Mae bas not the faintest ide: who his henefaetor is, Apparently she thinks he needs building up! Service THOSE listeners who are interested in Leaque football and will no doubl be following the doings of the New Zealand team which is now m Australia, will be glad to know that 1ZB has made arrangements to have the scores of the principal matches cabled immediately the final whistles blow. An official travelling with the League Kiwis has undertaken to carry out this serzice. The question of the poss bility. of relaying the final 20 minutes of the Test matches is being considered, .

Missing Him H ANY 14M listeners have lately beeu inquiring what bas happened to their favourite artist, Tex Doyle. popular singer of cowboy songs. who has been featured Sy this station for the past four years. Te has not been on the air for several weeks now and listeners are missing him. Tex bas goue into the country to take up a new position, but he hopes to broadcast agin from 17M shortly. Show Broadcasts NEVER before has Dunedin's caruival event. the Winter Show, had so much publicity over the air as it obtained this year. An outline of coming events was given some days beforehand by the secretary of the Otago A. and P. Society from 4YA, and that station broadcast the opening eremony iu accordance with tradition. Subse quently, up to the time of writiug, 4Z2B ‘carried out vo fewer than 27 relays (mainly sponsored) from the Agricul-

tural Hall where the Show was staged. These relays were of real interest insufar as concise details of new inyentions for the easing of drudgery on farm and in the home were clearly broadcast, thus lending a certain amount of general pleasure to what could so easily have been merely dull commercial transmissions. Farming Matter HE talks given for the benefit of young farmers from +4YA_ every Monday night at 7.80 contain mach that is of real importanee to farmers, and not a little that is of yalue and instruction to city dwellers, Next Monday night a number of matters will be discussed when several members of the Palmerston (South) Young Farmers’ Club will speak through the microplone, In The Sulky (GORDON HUTTER, 1YA’s expert sports announcer, was a very busy man last week. In addition to actinz as commentator for the five days of Auckland’s big winter race carniyalthree days’ gallops at Ellerslie and two days’ trots at Alexaudra Park-he described the big wrestling mateh and performed a yariety of other important duties. Yet he had time to get up early on two days and go out to the Epsom trotting track to drive Kewpie’s Queen in training work. He sits jn the sulky behind Mr. J. Gee’s mare just like a veteran reinsman and men tor. Asked what he did this for, Gordon replied, "lor fun, just for something to do"’ Anyway he likes horses. lie owus a galloper und also rides to the hunt as a member of the Pakuranga Hunt Club.

The Birds WY HEN 3ZB’s relay man, Ian Mackay, took the microphone along to the Choral Hall, Christchurch, to "do" the annual bird show the other day, he told the listeners that a time must come in every radio unnouncer’s life when he "gets the bird." So, said Mae, he had decided to forestall his critics by "taking" the bird-in fact 900 of them, The broadcast, which included a tour of inspection with the judge, was a decidedly good ove and 3ZB had more thau a little to crow about. London [> talks on London were given from the stations of the NBS every night of the week it would doubtless be possible to find new material for several years. Miss Lorna Rowland has just completed a first-class intimate series of talks, and these only served to whet listeners’ appetites for more. To appease this craving a reeorded talk by Mr. FE. &. Sharp. "Quaint Old London Customs," will be presented from 4YA pext Thursday at 8.45 p.m. Figures SOUTH CANTERBURY exeentive of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wants cheaper radio licenses. The burden of the argument was simply that it Wanted cheaper radio licenceg be- cuuse of the large increase in revenue and surpluses put aside annually to the reserve account. Mr. B, FE. Evans told his fellow farmers that the number of lieenee holders, ineluding traders, at the end of February was 281,450, an increase in 12 months of 44,847. He said that in contrast to the telegraph

department, which had to'devote a good dea, of its subscriptions in upkeep, it cost the broadcasting. service just as much to provide :a.-programme for 200,000 or 800,000 listeners as for ten or twelve. A balance of £94,519 had been transferred in one lot to the accumulated reserve account, which had then been increased. ;to more than £350,000. | NCBS Features FOLLOWING the introduction of such finely-recorded features as "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "Robin Hood, the NCBS announces the purchase of "A Tale,of Two Cities" and the "Mirth Master." ‘The first episode of the Dickens masterpiece was heard from 1ZB on Sunday evening last, and will begin at 2ZB on Sunday next. The "Mirth Master,’ also a Sunday evening feature, will begin at 2ZB on Sunday week. Another feature, of merit to begin at 2ZB this, week is "Daredevils of Hollywood,’ featuring the exploits of men- who "double" for stunting film stars, Grand-Dad JN his daily lunch-time session, Neddo, of 1ZB, read out thai old rigmarole which makes a man out to be his own-grandfather. el hundred people wrote in for the words of the teaser, and Neddo had to send out printed copies. But he is still amused at the ingenuousness of the listener who wanted "the paper that showed him how to become his own grandfather." Radio Play "QQUIRREL'S CAGE," a radio play by Tyrone Guthrie, well-known English playwright and London stage producer, has been produced for the NCBS by Messrs Vietor Lloyd and J. R. Herd, "Squirrel’s Cage," which will run for 45 minutes, is a psychological study of the effect of parental repression on children, and features new methods in the presentation of radio plays. Dance Music TIAT extremely popular combination of musicians, the Revellers, will be heard from 4YA next Saturday night, in the dance music session. This little band is without peer in the playing of old-time danee music and its appearanee, the first for two months, will be a highlight in tbe transmissious from the southern station of the NBS. For Masterton AME and time of 2ZB’s Masterton hour has been changed. In future it will be known as the Wairarapa hour and will be heard on Tuesdays atip.m., with Peter Whitchurch at the helm "White Angel" TTHE life of that imumortal "lady With the Lamp," Florence Nightingale, will be the subject of the play to be broadeast from 4YA next Monday night, at 9.11. The play, whieh is entitled "Florence Nightingale," was recorded in the Wellington studios of the NBS, and is based on the Warner Brothers’ film, "The White Angel," which toured this country about two years ago. The adaptation is claimed to be remarkably faithful to the film story. . ;

-" | _ Coverage FTER a representative Rugby match in Christchurch. the other day, and for the benefit, of those. who were unable to listen-in .to the. broadcast commentary, or attend the game, 8ZB ‘broadcast a short description be-tween-6.p.m. and°7 pan. This was,'2 popular. move and no doubt theidea will. become.a fixed thing. 2.0. °% ot Diggers’ Guest AUEST of Rod and John for the Diggers’ Hour at 1ZB on a recent Sunday .. afternoon was Harold Walmsley, better known for a number of years as "The Man in: the Bed By the Window." Mr. Walmsley,. during several:;years: of invalidity, oecupied himself repairing and making hundreds

of toys for poor children, Health has returned to him since, and he is continuing his fine work. He broadcast an appeal for toys, material, and-supplies to enable him to carry on this: year. "Boy Aviator" HE exciting exploits of "Peter, the Pilot," the boy aviator from Timaru, which have enthralled listeners to the new 2ZB children’s hour, came to an end at 2ZB, at all events, on a re cent ‘Saturday. Some hundreds of -essays on favourite pilots came from many.parts of New Zealand, the. winners being Peter Kirk and Peggy Abrahall. Soprano. Returns Rvcenrex returned from a visit to _Australia, Madame Annette Chapri man, whose fine: mezzo-soprano yoice is

EE ee ee SS eo ere eer Se Caer ar Cc eer lUcrerlUccelUWD friends at this station. A few days after her arrival in Sydney Madame broadcast a recital from 2FC. They evidently liked her work for she was given another engagement from: the same station. The Auckland vocalist could have got a tour of the ABC-sta-tions, but it would have meant. waiting several weeks in. Sydney. However, she may shortly return to fulfil.a longer engagement, Limericks QYVER 2700 entries received in‘a fort‘night for the limerick competition eonducted by 2ZB in conjunction. with the Transport Department are now being judged by Messrs: Duff (2Z2B) Herd (NCBS), Choriton (Government), and Miss M. Magill, of the Road Safety Council. The task has been made mos? difficult "by the high standard set by the majority of competitors. The Hon. R. Semple will announce the winner from 2ZB at an early date. ‘Winter Sports WO of the leading winter sports will come in for attention from 4YA next Saturday afternoon. At 3 p.m. the senior Rugby match will be relayéd from Carisbrvok, and, before that, beginning at 1.45 p.m., the match between the English women’s hockey team and the Otago women’s hockey team will be relayed from the same ground. That muster of sporting commentaries, Mr. Rn. ("Whang") McKenzie, will be. at _the microphone. .

N.Z.’s Gracie WELL known in Auckland, Miss Adele Taylor, soprano singer, recently returned after a long .absence during which time she has been touring with a well-known revue company in Australia. Known as Julia Dare, the "Lancashire Lass-New Zealand’s Gracie Fields,’ Miss ‘Taylor: does numbers just like Gracie, patter an’ all. She has been’ booked to sing from 1YA on July. 9.