ORCHESTRAS IN HOMES

Radio Record, 15 July 1938, Page 18

ORCHESTRAS IN HOMES

Conducted By Radio-System In U.S.A.-Fixtures For _ Sportsmen-Road Safety Propaganda-Juvenile Orchestra At Commercial Station- News From The Nationals

REAT success -has_ been "achieved by the National Broadcasting Company of New York in its special home music series, according to Mr.. Victor C. Peters, back in Christchurch last week from a tour overseas. In thousands of American homes, he said, those who are not good enough, or too timid, to join- orchestras, now play their instruments at home to the time of the broadcast orchestras. Music sheets are issued on application and difficult passages. are played at reduced ‘speed. This has brought a new interest in the performance of music, and many families are united in friendly rivalry. Father, on the’ double-bass,, saws away bravely while young hopeful plays on the cornet. It is a good-scheme that the New Zealand Commercial Service might find worth a trial. HOCKEY $enthusiasts who can tune in at 2.45 p.m. on Thursday, July 21, will hear 2Y A’s running commentary on the third hockey Test match between the visiting English. women’s team and New Zealand. The contest takes place ai the Wellington Basin Reserve, and will be relayed by the Dominton stations, . GPORTSMEN will have a day on the air on July 23. The first Test mateh between the Indian hockey team and New Zealand will end, as far as 38YA is concerned, at 4.30 p.m.; then will come the All Blacks v. Australia from 4.30 to 6. From 9.30 to 11 p.m, 3YA will broadeast the Fourth cricket Test, England v. Australia, and from 11 p.m. until 5 am., 2YA will carry on with: cricket, LISTENERS still unaware of the scheduled programme procedure during Parliamentary broadcasts should note that during the time the House of Representatives is on the air from 2YA, all programmes normally scheduled for this station are taken over by the auxiliary station 2YC, on a wavelength of 840 kilocycles. This enables listeners to keep in touch with the 2YA features broadcast regularly each week, WTR, hearing his. concerts in Wellington over the air, Auckland listeners are awaiting the arrival of the Russian bass, Alexander Kipnis. He is to make only two appearances in Auckland in concerts to be given by the

NBS in the Town Hall, on Tuesday next, July 19, and the following Saturcry, July 23. The New Zealand pianist Noel Newson will play the aeccompaniments for Alexander Kipnis and will be heard in concert solos, ANY people believe that orchestral music js the finest of-all, since it cultivates a team spirit and induces a large group of players to perform with one grand result in mind, Christchurch listeners will hear an hour of

flesh-and-blood orchestral work from 8YA on July 20, when the Christchurch Orches.ral Society’ S programme, from 8 until 9 p.m., will be relayed. Talks To Women ARLY morning session becoming increasingly popular with New Zealand housewives is the daily "Talk to Women," by "Margaret." Regularly at 10.45 a.m. this speaker gives her friendly and intimate talk from 2YA. She gives useful hints for the homemaker and practical cooking recipes. Victorian Satirist NTHONY -TROLLOP®H was one of the greatest of Victorian novelists. though doubtless few people- read him to-day-partly because his writings were often satirical and much of the satire is obscure nowadays. Yet many of his novels provide splendid pictures of life in and around an Mnglish Cathedral city, The best of his many works are the series dealing with Barchester, first’ of which was "The Warden." Later came "Barchester Towers," "Framley Parsonage," "Doc:

tor Thorns," and "The Last: Chronicle of Barset.". Professor T. D, Adanis will present readings from "Barchester Towers," next Friday night from 4YA, taking passages dealing with "Mrs. Proudie’s Reception." | Hear Ye Women'! RRZGULAR features from 4YA include A.C.E. talks, given twice a week at 3.15 pm. Next Wednesday comes such an intriguing title that -is ‘riot difficult to imagine housewives having a "mass tune-in". The subject is Common Fallacies About Wholesome Foods." Friday’s A.C.E, talk (same station, same’ hour), will be "Institutional Management asa Profession." . "Greatest Country" (APTAIN Karl Karlssen, of the -barque "Penang," which found: haven in Dunedin nearly a month ago after being. dismasted. in a squal} in midocean, was interviewed by Alex McDowell in 4ZB’s studios ‘the other Saturday night. Most of it was of-a nautical turn, but the Captain dropped in a few interesting comparisons between

New Zealand and Finland. .Asked ‘by Mr. McDowell what he thought of New Zealand football, the captain Teplied: "I never saw such enthusiasm. If only you people put as much enthusiasm into your work as you pul into football’ you could be the greatest country in the world." Sunday | Relay S 1ZB was unable to broadcast the annual ball of the Auckland Yugoslays this week because its schedule was full to the brim, a relay of the re hearsal of the Yugoslav national dance, "The Colo," together with a description and musie by the Tambouritza Orchestra, was carried out on Sunday night. The orchestra, the only one in Australia to be ‘wholly composed of these quaint and beautiful instruments, also played national airs. Danny Malone FURTHER broadcasts from 2YA will be given -by the. famous Irish tenor Danny Malone on July 17 and 19, On July 17, he will sing six songs--"Kathleen Mavourneen," "Vale," "Who is Sylvia?" "Songs My Mother Taught Me," "Hills of Donegal," and "She is Far. From.the Land." American Big Business Bie business men in America mak? the greatest use of commercial radio. Some of, the important con-. eerns think nothing, financially,. of. engaging such stars as Toscanini and Barbirolli as‘conductors for their: musical programmes. And all this hag a definite effect on the musical knowledge of the people, ‘according to Mr. Victor C. Peters, of Christchurch, just. back from an extensive trip .abroad. The big publishing firms, too, make a point of engaging the very best musicians for their school music departments. Quarrelsome N the "good old days," when duelling ‘flourished, a gentleman had to be extraordinarily careful how he talked politics or how he looked at another man’s wife. If he were a little too enthusiastic about either, he was liable to find himself challenged to swords at dawn, or pistols for two at 30 paces. Duels have been fought over the most extraordinarily trivial causes; but the prize for quarrelsomeness probably goes to those two French gallants who fought to the death in front of a church’ altar because of-a' dispute over

as ° -_ who: should have first.use of the Holy Water. -Anecdotes like this about duel"ling will be -found-in the talk in the "Manners and Morals" series:‘which Mr. Gordon Mirams will.give from 2YA at 7.30 p.m. next Monday, July 18. . The title of ‘the talk is. "Do You Quarrel, Sir?"; and: when one considers that, in less than 200 years, at least .40,000 gentlemen were killed ‘in: duels- in

France alone, it would seem that in-dividuals-if not nations-are much more: peaceful to-day than they.used to be. | » "Keep Fit" (THE law of the jungle has always been the suryival.of the fittest. To-day nations throughout the world are endéayouring to make the peoples live up to the slogan of "Keep Fit." A timely interview will be heard from 4YA on Wednesday at 8.40 p.m. when Professor Jagan Nath; manager of the Manavadar Indian Hockey Team, will speak on ‘‘The Physical Culture Movement." . "Save The Flowers" EGINNING a new form of road ’ -gafety propaganda, the NBS is to drop striking slogans and messages into its programmes. Listeners will hear brief messages: on these lines :-‘"Pedestrians, remember that the man who rushes. in headlong often comes out feet first; road users’ safety is free. are you getting your share; motorisfs say it with safety and save the flowers." The slogans will be heard in the breakfast, lunch and evening. sessions. ra On Foot TRAFFIC inspectors of Christchurch left their motor-cycles at home and became pedestrians the other night at their annual ball at the Winter Gar-

| den Cabaret, relayed by 3ZB from 10.30 p.m. until closing time. Part of the show was Jack Maybury’s 3ZB orchestra, which took the dais now and then, sharing musical labours with the cabaret’s own combination. The .average dance relay can be a little boring. to the home listener. If he is a danc-_ ing man he wishes he were on the fioor; if he is’ not, he. wonders why this has been forced on him. Nevertheless, this was one of the brightest re--‘lays of its kind heard in ‘Christchurch for some time. Co OS It! Ast week a circular’ was received at 1ZB from the copyright authorities in Australia stating several recordings that were not allowed to-be -broadeast. The list included one particular dise entitled, "Szep Vagy Gyongyoru Vagy .Magyarodzag," by Erno .Kulinyi and Zsigmond Nincze. . Said John Gordon, production manager, after ke perused the circular, "Thank. ‘Heaven for that." And. the announcers were pleased. — ° Enthusiasm So keen are the people of Christchurch on: their weekly.community sing at the Civic Theatre that the queue lines up at 9.30 a.m., waiting for the show to start at 12:30 p.m.! Such enthusiasm takes no count ‘of cold mornings. One is inclined to wonder

if there is more than a trifle of glamour about it-mass performance over the radio (3ZB) and the possibility that in distant parts of New Zealand Cousin Jane may be able to pick out the voice of Cousin Mary. Harmonica Finals F¥ the B stations, 34B Christchurch seems, up to the present, to have had the best selection of entrants for the national harmonica contest. Some of the performers, though not exactly in the Larry Adler class, have produced excellent single tones and commendable harmony, now and then, The general grading has been surprisingly high, The finals in Christchurch commence on July 18 in the studios, The performer given highest marks will receive a week’s engagement at a leading city theatre. The three judges on the job are extremely competent and, what is more, take their work with fitting seriousness, Departure DDEPARTURE of "Aggie" (Mr. Cecil Agassiz) from 2ZB to resume broadcasting in Sydney removes from the ranks of Dominion broadcasters one of the most popular announcers in New Zealand. "Aggie’ will probably be best remembered for his hospital sessions which set a standard it will be extremely difficult to emulate. His "Sidelights’ also were outstanding broadcasts. The best wishes of many thousands of listeners go with him to the Commonwealth. "That Radio Station!" ALTHOUGH 4ZB will soon have been on the air a year, hundreds of people still pay weekly visits to the southern commercial station. They drop in at any hour of the day or night. It really is an entertainment watching the announcers "doing their stuff," for all that separates performers from spectators is a large area of thick glass. Moreover, it is a case of see and hear, for loud speakers have been set for the benefit of guests. As the liftman expressed it the other night: ‘Working this lift wouldn’t be such a bad cop if it wasn’t for that blinking radio station on the third floor!" Ourselves HE staff of National Magazines, which includes the "Radio Record," will hold a dance in Wellington on July 22. Station 2ZB is to relay selections and items from the dance from il p.m. to midnight. Submarine Drama ‘THRILLS a-plenty are promised from 4YA next Monday night at 9.5, when the NBS recorded version of ©. S. Forrester’s sensational play, "U97," will be presented. This is described as "9 drama played out on the floor of the sea, in which one tiny submarine is pitted against the greatest fleet the world has kndwn." Reality In Opera (THERD will be distinct novelty attached to 4YA’s operatic recording on Sunday night, when Frederic Smetana’s "The Bartered Bride" will be broadeast. During the presentation the announcer’s voice will be heard breaking in from time to time, and he will

describe the settings of the songs just as though he were looking down upon . the stage. Incidentally, critical opinion in Ozechoslovaika differs whether or not Smetana was a greater composer than Dvorak. They were Bohemians both, although not contemporaries. Fittingly, 4YA’s version of the Smetana opera was recorded in the Czech National Opera House, at Prague. Bells Would Ring FAINT background to 38ZB’s programme for an hour or more the other night was the sound of bells, big bells, rung in old Hnglish style. Reagon was that the station’s temporary studios and offices in Cathedral Square are close to Christchurch Cathedral and, although the bells had been fitted with Davis silencers, their voices were still audible to the microphone, All the same, since one of the members of the Society of Bellringers, Mr. J. Baker, added some improvements to the bells a few months ago, people working at night in city offices are no longer disturbed by heavy clangings on practice nights, Nicis In Australia HEN Carl Nicis, Russian tenor, made appearances in 3ZB’s studio, fie gained many admirers-despite the fact that his voice sometimes lacked the fire one would expect from an ar- tist of his experience. Seen and heard in the flesh, Nicis is a different person. At several private gatherings his performances would be hard to surpass for sheer artistry, especially when he was singing Russian folk songs. The popular Carl has now gone to Australia to fulfil broadcasting engagements. "Old Pro’s."" ADIO gives employment to the "old hands" as well as to the bright young man. Frank Broad, 1ZB’s "Veteran of Variety" (he was on the boards in London in 1908 in the same show as Charlie Chaplin) pointed out last week that three prominent roles in the great radio presentation and dramatisation of "Mutiny on the Bounty" were played by "old pro’s." They are names well known on the music-lall stage in England, Australia and New Zealand : Les Wharton, Reg Hawthorne, and Lou Vernon. In the famous serial they carry important roles with conspicuous success. Autograph "Poets" N idea from 8ZB that has caught popular fancy ig the "Autograph" luncheon session. JTisteners compose a trifle of verse-a sonnet, a limerick or the most utter doggerel will do, so long as it is to the point-and sign their names, The result goes into the 38ZB autograph book, which is already reaching large proportions. . Happiness? WVHEN the negro debaters, from Le Moyne University, U.S.A., meet the Canterbury University College team at 8YA on July 18, the subject will be, "That Americans Have Found the Formula for Happiness." Canterbury will be represented by Miss Margaret Dalzell and R. Hurst (leader). while the visitors will he J. 8S. Bijas (leader) and Charles W, Gilton. Wisteners who have heard records of negro lectures, religious and otherwise, will appreciate the fact that they have

something of the poesy of the Maori. Their performance should be of unusual interest. The same evening at 9.35, Miss Valmai Moffett, ’cellist, and Mr. Ernest Jenner, pianist, will present Strauss’ "Sonata in F Majow."Royal Purple 428 radio reporter found himself in an odd corner recently, when he went to the Town Hall to view the robes worn by the King and Queen at the Coronation. Possibly even a competent reporter might have found it dificult to describe convincingly the "Royal purple," but he was. spared. Mrs. Murray Fuller, who is touring the Empire- with the robes and regalia, relieved him of all responsibility, and gave a concise and precise description, which must have been understandable to all who heard it, The broadcast coneluded on a patriotic note, with Mr.

Savage speaking on the value of the Coronation pageant as a unifying bond of Hmpiré. Children’s Features NEw features promised for 4Z1’s children’s sessions will be put into force almost at once. Two cameo presentations will be given by Stuart Johnson and James Dixon on separate nights not yet fixed. Mr. Johnson is to entertain children with stories from areek mythology, while Mr. Dixon will delve into Maori folk-lore. Starting this week will be Alex McDowell, under pseudonym of "The Answer Man," to spend 72 minutes of Monday’s sessions in answering general knowledge questions sent in by children. National Days ‘AMERICAN citizens who were the guests of Mrs. W. KE. Barnard at Parliament House on July 4, Independence Day, had a musical novelty in the programme broadcast for them by 2ZB. Mr. L. EE. Strachan, programme organiser of 2ZB, prepared a special continnity programme, introducing highlights of American history and echoes of the stage covering a lengthy period of years, Incidentally, 2ZB provides an appropriate programme on each national day, recent programmes of this nature including one for Canada on July 1, one for Venezuela on July 5, and one for Argentina on July 9, Forthcoming national day programmes include Belgium, July 21, Peru July 28, and Germany August 11. Juniors GQTATION 2ZB sprang a surprise on listeners last Sunday with its hroadcast by the recently formed 273 Juvenile Orchestra. When the station called for young players to form an orchestra, some 45 applications were received. Some of the applicants were elementary and some had never played : an instrument, but from the 45 twenty players were selected, and began rehearsals under the guidance of Mr. B. J. H. de Rose, national mu-ieal conductor to the commercial service, Considering the youth of the players, Sunday’s concert was notable, and indicates that with further training and experience the 2ZB juvenile orchestra may become an important factor in the musical activities of Wellington, As a "feeder" to the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, the 27%B juvenile orchestra is well worth encouraging, apart altogether from the valuable instruction which its members receive from Mr. de Rose, one of New Zealand's most able conductors. There are still vacancies for all string players of intermediate and advanced grades, also for fiute, clarinet, horn and trombone. Application for enrolment in the orchestra should be made to 2Z7B. For Film Fans H{OLLYwoop session, as condueted by 3ZB, is interesting in many ways, It brings listeners all the latest : news of films, producers, players. etcetera. New Zealanders who have tried to "crash" the film capital and have returned home wiser but jus. as happy, have told us their experiences fin newspaper interviews, We know Hollywood is not all bright stars and "bubbly." But in the 8ZB session, put over by "Prop Man." all ‘ne glamour is there, treated witb a commendable re-

straint that forbids Christchurch youth from believing they are stars in the making. Women’s Work [NTERESTIN G talk to women will be given from 3YA at 9.5 p.m. on July 17, Miss Elsie Andrews is the speaker, and her subject, "New Zealand’s First International Women’s ‘Sonference." Miss Andrews is doing organisation work for the fifth conference of the Pan-Pacific Women’s Association to be held in New Zealand in 1940. She was a delegate to the second and third conferences at Honolulu in 1930 and 1934, leading the New Zealand delegation at the latter, and again at the fourth conference in Vancouver in 1937. The centennial conference will be the first international women’s conference to be held in New Zealand. 2ZB Staff FMPORTANT changes at 2ZB are indicated by the appointment of Mr. M. S. Bullivant as acting Station Director. The success of 3ZB has been due in no simall measure to the initiative and organising ability of Mr. Bullivant, who has an able lieutenant in 2ZB’s new production supervisor, Mr. Ian Mackay. Several important changes in programme policy are in contemplation, including a further brightening of the Sunday programme. "Aeolians" (SONDUCTED by Maxwell Fernie, with accompanist John Randall and flautist J.-Rodgers, the ‘Aeolians," a Wellington choral group, will broadcast from the 2YA studios on July 21. Their programme consists of Scotch and Irish folk songs, glee songs, and madrigals, while on this occasion Sir Kdward Elgar is represented with two

ae, | songs from the collection "From thé Bavarian Highlands" and three partSongs translated from the Greek Anthology. Three Talks GCHEDULED by 8YA for the near future are three talks which should be out of the way. The first, on July 19, is by Mr. 8. K. Ratcliffe, distin. guished English journalist, and BBO announcer, whose recorded subject will be "Changing England." Mr, Leicester Webb, a Christchurch journalist, will continue his chats on "World Affairs" on July 21 and Mrs, Ida Bension will have something to say about out-of-the-way Jewish communities on July 22. Contest JK EEN interest is being shown in the 2ZB harmonica contest, not only by the contestants but also by the listening public, The preliminary performances are broadcast each evening at 6.30. From these competitors twenty finalists will be selected. It is anticipated that the contest will reach its most interesting stage next week, when judging of the finalists will begin. A substantial cash prize and a theatre ene gagement await the winner, Pianist WELLINGTON pianist, Dorothy La ° Roche, will present a recital from 2YA at 8.28 p.m. on Monday, July 18. She will perform Bach’s "Organ Fugue in @ Minor No, 7," "Intermezzo in Major, Op. 119,’ by Brahms; and the Chopin "Impromptu in F Sharp Major, Op. 86." Light Operas OVERS of Gilbert and Sullivan operas have reason to thank the ‘inventors of the gramophone record and the wonder of radio for the opportunity of frequently hearing these works. Visits to New Zealand by Gil-

bert and Sullivan companies are, unfortunately, few and far between, but with the aid of records and radio, together with. the policy of the NBS, the musical gap is adequately filled. Be- . Sinning at 9.5 p.m. on Sunday, July 17, the Dominion station 2YA will broadcast complete musical presentations of two of the shorter operas, "Trial by Jury" and "The Sorcerer." Drama Festival O great length of time elapses between a performance of one sort ‘ind another by one or another of Dunedin’s many amateur theatrieal societies. Next week the Otago branch of

the British Drama League will hold a festival of one-act plays at the Town ' Hall Concert Chamber, extending over a period of three nights. Nine teams will be competing, these coming from Dunedin, Kaitangata (rather a strong little centre for amateur: work), and Balelutha. The judge will be the wellknown Mr. Victor Lloy'd, of Wellington. Send A "Whang" OUTH DUNEDIN community sing, launched by business men in the interests of the St. Kilda Unemployed Committee, had an auspicious opening last week, there being standing-room

only in the Mayfair Theatre when the mayor of Dunedin (Mr. A. HB. Allen) officially performed inaugural honours. The leader of this new weekly sing is Mr. R. ("Whang") McKenzie, 4YA’s popular sporting commentator. "Whang" proved himself a_ splendid leader, and patrons assisted him greatly by entering wholeheartedly into the spirit of the singing. Novelty touch: This sing does not send "Cheerios" over the air, but sends ‘‘Whangs" instead! Memories LISTENERS whose memories go back to the ’80’s must have had keen enjoyment from the talk on W. II. Jude broadcast on Sunday from 2ZB hy the Rev. W. Brady. Jude was an organist, composer and preacher who visited New Zealand long before the days of radio-when concerts by visiting artists afforded practically the only opportunity music-lovers had of keeping in touch with musical developments in the old world. Mr. Brady gave a graphie word picture of a man whose works will long remain popular with singers and organists. Early Birds (THOSE men who were on duty in a southern broadcasting station early one frosty morning received the surprise of their lives when four young Beau Brummels, in evening dress, wandered in and asked to inspect the sta-

tion. The hour was 7.40 in the morning, but the attire of the visitors suggested it was evening. Tactful inquiries revealed that the party had been present at an important ball, and the night had ended (for them) at an awkward hour when the piecarts had gone home and other houses of refreshment hacl not opened. It had semed such a bright idea to fill in the "dead" period by inspecting a radio station! Generosity ALES of Australian generosity have heen brought back to New Zealand by Misg Jessie MeLennan, Dunedin, for three yetrs announcer at 4BC Brisbane. "There was a time," said Miss MeLennan, "when the children in the Montrose Crippled Children’s Home got the knitting: bug. But they had nothin: to knit with, so 4BC appealed to listeners to send along scraps of wool. Exactly 120 pounds weight of wool came in, and if you have never seen 120 pounds of loose wool in a heap you have no idea what an enormous amount it is. There was another time when we had an Easter egg drive in the interests of hospital children, I never silw so many Waster eggs together in all my life after the appeal had gone over the air." When Miss McLennan joined 4+BC it was the custom to visit the thie¢e city hospitals during the week, spending two hours in each. Every time a visit was mude hundreds of papers, parcels, and letters were delivered from unknowns who had responded to appeals over the air. The time was, later cut down, reluctantly, to one visit only a week, the hospitals being visited in turn. Band’s Loss AFTER haying been secretary to the St. Kilda band for 11 years, Mr. A. G. Homer has now retired. His retirement is a blow, for he had at all times been unsparing in his efforts on the band’s behalf. Mr. Homer was a player first, having joined the band in 1928, and proved successful on severa! occasions jn solo competitions with the Id flat bass, At the annual meeting o" the band held recently Mr. Homer was given a presentation, and Mr James Dixon, former conductor, whe led the band during its remarkable per iod of successes from 1926 to 1985, paid tribute to Mr. Homer’s services, On Leave "PHE absence of Bryan O'Brien from 2ZB’s session during the past two weeks hag given rise to numerous queries as to whether he had left the service. Mr. O'Brien is on annual leave in Sydney and is doing a fair amount of broadcasting during his holiday-mak-ing. He is due back about July 20, Come-Back (PEN-MINUTE stunt that was quite impromptu in the 1ZB Children's Magazine of the Air last week brought quick results to a 1ZB man. He was "The Fun Man," a clown at the microphone and a veteran in radio. ile brondeast a series of sounds and inviied the juvenile listeners to identify them and offered a small prize to the successful one, The next day 3384 -lefters arrived addressed to him, and, as you may believe, he put in a bit of gratuitous overtime that evening. He announced that the first correct entry

opened would he the winner, bur he opened and read every one withont finding a correct solution and so he went through them all again and picked out the best reply. Next time "The Fun Man" thinks he’ll tell a story o7 , sing-or do something that will have n comeback At 1ZB TAst Sunday week, on a brief visil to Auckland, the Prime Minister. the Hon. M. J. Savage, spoke from 17? during the Diggers’ Hour and announe ed that at last a site had been bought for the new studios. He hoped the new premises would he soon under way, At the invitation of the station director, Mr. Walter Elliot, Mr, Savage went to the microphone and accepted Rod Talbot's invitation to remain in the studio during the broadcast of the Diggers’ Hour. Only Lapse GOMETHING of a record has. been established by Neddo, of 1ZB in his daily lunch-hour sessions during the past five weeks. Besides playing the drums and having guest artists featured on this session, Neddo has sung 150 numbers himself. Only once has he had to include a_ recording. That was when he broke some teeth (not his own) and was unable to sing.