PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

Radio Record, 5 August 1938, Page 16

PERSONALITIES ON THE AIR

\HE musical critic of the London "Times" once attacked Ignaz Friedman, the pianist, for having the gross bad taste to play a cadenza in Beethoven’s "G Major Concetto." It happened to have been written by Beethoven himself, so Ygnaz did not worry. Incidentally, a Dutch critic fell into the same trap years ago when the great Busoni played the cadenza. Busoni read the criticism and waited-waited. until midnight. On the stroke of twelve he walled the critic on the teléphone. | "Hello; is that. Mr. Blank? This is Mr. Beethoven. I wrote the cadenza!" Ignaz Friedman, ‘pianist, will be heard at 3YA on Sunday afternoon, August 7. .

MACBETH IN FORM OF OPERA

Considering the charges of non-ap-preciation of opera made against the

British public, one would think nobody would have the courage to compose anothey of these works. But criticism did not deter Lawrance Collingwood. He set "Macbeth" to music’ and conducted its first performante at Sadler’s Wells fotir years ago. He won suecess because he contented himself with making his thusic observe the interests of the immortal lines, 4YA listeners will hear the London Symnhony Orchestra under Lawrance Collingwood on Sunday afternoon, August 7%.

’ WAIKATO MAN TELLS OF FREEBCOTER

Well known in the ‘New Zealand dairying industry is Mr. A. J. Sinelair,

of the Te Awamutu Dairy Company. As a gifted public speaker he has frequently broadcast from 1ZM during the last few years, and, in fact, is tremendously enthusiastic about broadcasting. | Sometimes he is featured by 1ZM twice a week, and each time has to drivé the 100 miles from Te Awamutu to Auckland and back. To d6 that one has to be an enthusiast! His latest radio subject is the old enemy of James V of Scotland -Johnny Armstrong, freébooter. With his four and twenty horsemen Armstrong pestered authority until one fateful July day in 1530 he ran into a trap. and with those of his followers who survived the fight was strung up on some trees at Carlanrigg. Tradition has it that the trées on which they were hanged were immediately blasted, and withered away. In the churchyard near the scene of Armstrong’s last stand is @ memorial stone let into the wall, which recounts the story of the treacherous capture and the fate of the rebels, The stone was erected as late

gs September, 1897, for tradition dies hard in old Scotland! This fascinating Border tale will. be retold by Mr. A, J. Sinclair at 1YA on Friday, August 12-the day when the Scottish countryside will re-echo to the shots of grousé-shooting hunters.

COMPOSER AT ELEVEN YEARS

In 1908, when George Séell was 11 years old, he at-

tracted the attention of the musical world at Vienna py filling the dual role of pianist and composer. He made further appearances as a pianist in Germany with the Dresden Court Orchestra, and later in London. In 1914, at the age of 17, Szell made his debut at a eoncert at the Berlin Schoo! of Music, appearing for the first time | as conductor as well as composer and pianist. Two years of apprenticeship under Richard Strauss followed at the Berlin Opera House. On Strauss’s recommendation he succeedéqd Klemperer in April, 1917, when scarcely 20 years old, as chief conductor at the Strasbourg Municipal Theatre. Since then he has conducted various British and Continental orchestras, and is at present visiting Australia under contract to the Australian Broadcasting Commission, The Ozech Philharmonic Orchestra of Prague, under George Szell, will be heard at 2YA on Tuesday, August 9. VAIN SAMUEL Many are the ANNOYED stories told of the DOCTOR SAMUEL vanity of Samuel Richardson, first of English novelists. He particularly annoyed Samuel Johnson, who said once: "You think I love flattery, and so I do. But a little too much always disgusts me. That fellow Richardson, on the contrary, could not be contented to sail quietly down the stream of reputation without longing to taste the froth from every stroke of the oar. "Nevertheless, apart from his vanity, Richardson’s private life was exemplary. He was hospitable, friendly and generous. Married twice, by his first wife he had five sons and a daughter, and by his second wife he had five girls and one boy. He lost all six sons and two daughters, bereavements which affected his outlook deepSYA listeners will hear a talk on, Samuel Richardson given by Mr. Hi,’ Winstone Rhodes on Wednesday; August 10.

"GIVE "IM A CLOUT 1"

As a youth Vivian Foster used to imitate his ¢lergyman father. The old

man took it in such good part that by the time young Vivian was old enough to marry he had become such an expert "Vicar" that he followed his wife’s advice and took up entertaining as a profession. Apart from his clever monologues (which, incidentally, are most popular with the clergy), Vivian Foster is an able dancer and an accom: plished ventriloquist. So realistic is his ventriloquilism, indeed, that at one northern theatre a Yorkshire patron excitedly yelled out, "Give that cheeky

Goering Stood Hitler Against Wall.

AN Englishman has given an amusing account of a visit to General Goering at his palatial house in the Leipzigerplatz. The great than received his guest in a study, the wallpaper of which is blood-red and the carpet pitchblack. Along one side of the large room are three white busts, two of , politicians-Herr Hitler and himself. The third is the bust of a musician, Dr. Furtwaengler. Tach face is illuminated by arc lights trained upon the busts from the other wall. A desk the size of a small island is the most conspicuous piece of furniture, aud on it stands a telephone and a switchboard with a bewildering number of: different coloured buttons. "If I press this one," said Genéral Goering amiably to his English guest, putting his. finger on one of the Knobs, "you will be arrested within five seconds." The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, undér Wilhelm Furtwaengler,. will be -_- from 4YA on Thursday, August

kid a clout in the ear’ole and shut ’im oop 1? 2YA listeners will hear Vivian Foster, "The Vicar of Mirth," in the music, mirth and melody session on Tuesday, August 9,

CAREER OF RUSSIAN PIANIST

Born at Odessa in 1896, Simon Barer commenced | piano

studies When he was eleven. In 1911 he entered the conservatoire at Petrograd, studying under Madame Essipov, and subsequently Blumenfeld. He completed his studies in 1919, winning the "Rubenstein Prize." He became professor of piano at Kiev Conservatoire, and during that time made a concert tour of Russia, visiting all principal towns. He then set about conquering successive European capitals, cities and towns and finally arrived in England in’. 1934. Simon Barer’s flexibility of touch and astonishing elasticity in staccato passages hold his audience spellbound. Listeners to 2YC will hear Simon Barer, pianist, on Friday night, August 12.

ROLLS ROYCE FOR THE CANDIDATE

One of Mark Hambourg’s stories tells of a dinner given by Arthur Croxton,

manager of the Coliseum, to meet one of the principal labour leaders of the day. Mark found this "son of the people" excellent company. When the party left the Savoy, and the pianist was picking up his small Buick car, a huge white Rolls-Royce rolled up for the labour man, "Ah! Here is my small car," he remarked. Mark replied: "I see you are not above liking the flesh-pots of life; the best food and the best car are none too good for you." "My constituents presented me with the car," was the answer that gave the pianist furiously to think. Mark Wambourg, pianist. will be heard by 2YA listeners on Tuesday, August 9.

FUN WITH THE OLD-TIMERS

Compere of the popular 2YA_ oldtime dance session.

Mr. Fred Barker, called "Mr, Announcer" by the "Drummer Boy" of the outfit, finds amusement in ascertaining the correct pro-

cedure of some of the old-time set dances, Even .0w he igs sometimes pulled up by an _ old-time dance fan on a technical point. He believes in endeavouring to vateb the atmosphere and spirit of these dances, to revive tender memories of an older

generation. To Mr. Barker, radio is a relaxation and hobby which he has followed from its early days in Auckland in 1927. In 1929 he had a persona! interview with Sir John Reith and well remembers Sir John’s interest in the New Zealander’s viewpoint on the accent of BBC announcers. The next old-time dance session at 2YA is scheduled for Saturday, August 18.

VIOLINIST AND COMPOSER

_ Seven year old Henri Vieuxtemps, son of a _ piano

tuner, was one musical prodigy lucky enough to catch the interest of the right master, De Beriot was so struck by the lad’s talent that he took him to Brussels and gave him free tuition. By the time Vieuxtemps was 10 years’ old he had made ag successful appearance iu Paris, and within another three years he had begun the wandering life of a musician, taking advantage of his présence in yarious centres to take les50ns fron; the best masters, Each appearance of this gifted boy created a sensation, for his technical dexterity was wonderful, In 1871 Vieuxtemps succeeded De Beriot, who had become blind, in the post of first yiolin professor at the Brussels Oonservatorium, But misfortune quickly overtook him. Within two years he suffered a stroke which prevented him ever playing

again; paralysis of the left side sealed his fate. His earthly pilgrimage ended in Algiers in 1881, when he-died at the age of 61. Vieuxtemps’s playing of the violin is said to have been remarkable for its broad singing tone, its great poetry in the reading of a work, and so complete a technical equipment that difficulties seemed hardly to exist. His ’ compositions are among the best in modern violin literature. On Friday,- August 12, 3YA listeners will hear Concerto No. 4 in D Minor, Op. 31 (Vieuxtemps), played by Jascha Heifetz (violinist) and the London Symphony Orchestra.

AUSTRALIAN REMADE . OLD TUNES

The Australian composer, Perey Grainger. has deft-

ly arranged several light-hearted old tunes from Ireland and Bngland. "Molly on the Shore" was made up from an Irish reel of that name, and another reed: tune called "Temple Hill." "Irish Tune. from County Derry" (or Londonderry Air) -‘lovingly and reverently" dedi¢ated to Edward Grieg-is now one of the best-known Irish tunes in the world. "Country Gardens" is a_ traditional English Morris dance which has as a sub-title "Handkerchief Dance." "Mock Morris" contains no folk music tunestuffs: it is Grainger’s own conception. Grainger’s four dances will. be heard from 1YA on Sunday afternoon, August q.

WAS AFRAID APPRECIATION |

Some of Hngland’s finest serious mu: Sicians have been ectuallv afraid ‘of

appreciation. It is recorded that Sir Hubert Parry rewrote. the whole -of a movement of one of his symphonies because, as he said, "People liked it so much I thought there must be something wrong with it." This theory that the cultured are always right and the populace always wrong is one which has always heen keenly upheld by the cultured. But. of course, posterity does not always abide by such a silly rule, as the Gilbert and Sulivan operas, for one, have shown. The decision of the conductor of the Auckland Municipal Band to play selec-

tions from these giadsome works shows common sense, 1YA listeners will hear a2 fine Gilbert and Sullivan programme by the Auckland Municipal Band, under Mr. T. J. O'Connor, on Sunday, August 7.

Jesters Honoured In Own Land

HOW many thousand gramophones in the North of Engiand churn out the humour and pathos of Gracie Fields and Sandy Powell it would be difficult to estimate. Both belong to that happy school of entertainers who have found honour in their own country. Gracie from Rochdale and Sandy from Rotherham afford a fine example of perfect understanding between Lancashire and Yorkshire. Individually they have enjoyed brilliant successes, but the blending of the white rose and the red is something more impressive still. 2YA listeners will hear Gracie Fields and Sandy Powell in one of their joint records, "At the Coronation," on Wednesday, August 10.