Radio Round the World

Radio Record, 22 July 1938, Page 24

Radio Round the World

HAT Richard Tauber enjoys a joke against himself is evident from this story which both he and his wife relate with glee. His. film-star wife, Diana Napier, boasts a frankly unmusical family. Her mother, however, is justifiably proud of having such a celebrated son-in-law, and reminds everyone of it when opportunity. occurs. Mrs. Tauber tells how recently when her mother was playing bridge with a visitor from Australia (a distinguished singer) she remarked "My son-in-law is singing at Covent Garden this season, in fact, he’s opening it with ‘The Fiddle.’" At the astonished look her visitor bent on her, she added "You know-‘The Fiddle,’ by Wagner." Incidentally, Mozart’s ‘Magic Flute," so abused, has provided Richard Tauber with his most successful role. NOTHER triumph for realism in microphone background effects was scored in a recent episode of an American NBC feature, which was laid in an operating room. Unable to obtain the sound of instruments clink-clinking as he wanted it, the sound-man slipped out and borrowed a set of surgical tools from a physician friend. He clinked them with the authentic tinkle. SEVERAL years ago a young San Francisco musician, Grace Adums East, trumpeter, made her first appearance in Washington and _ instantly caught the attention of music-lovers in the American capital. Miss East, who arrived a few weeks ago in Sydney, has been engaged by the Australian Broadcasting Commission for a Commonwealth broadcasting tour. Com-’ menting on Miss East’s opening recital, the Washington "Evening Star" said: "It is not often that one has the opportunity to hear some of the orchestra instruments in a eoncert hall, and the trumpet recital of Grace Adams East, of Berkely, California, given last evening at Wesley Hall, was a distinct novelty in the routine concert season. Not only is the trumpet seldom used in recital, but it is also rare to hear it played superbly by a woman. The curiosity naturally attendant on hearing this instrument as a full-length solo programme was outbalanced by the high artistry which Miss Fast brings to her performance. Under her skilful handling it becomes a medium of interpretation in which colour and expressiveness are the outstanding characteristics," °