PERSONALITIES ..ON THE AIR..

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 27, 16 December 1938, Page 10

PERSONALITIES ..ON THE AIR..

— N his first appearance at 2YA some little time ago, Mr. Leslie Souness, pianist;

maae a very tavouradie 1mpression with his playing of one of Alexander MacDowell’s splendid sonatas. To adapt Kipling, ‘‘How little they know of MacDowell who only the "Woodland Sketches’ know!’’ Born in Dunedin, Mr. Souness was cdueated at the famous Otago High School, later graduating as B.A. He has also earned the musical distinctions of L.R.S.M. and L.T.C.L. He eame to Wellington from Invereargill and is on the staff of Miramar South Public School. Young musicians like Leslie Souness are a definite asset to Wellington’s artistic life. He has to his eredit a few original comnositions in MS.

ORGANIST WHO GOES ‘SWING

Leslie Souness, pianist, will be heard from -2YA on. Monday, December 19.

Sidney Torch’s technique and , the rapidity with which he "regis-

ters (or Changes his stop combinations) leave organ enthusiasts and organists bewildered but exhilarated. There can be no doubt that as a "swing" organist he has shown the way to new and un-thought-of possibilities with the modern unit organ, and he is the pioneer of a revolutionary style of theatre organ-playing. His records and broadcasts have been widely discussed py organists all over the British Isles, and all are agreed that .he is a sort of uncrowned "King of Organ Rhythm." Like Reginald Dixon, Sidney Torch owes much of his technique to the fact

that he is a brilliant "straight" pianist.

SONG THAT CIRCLED THE WORLD

Sidney Torch, organist, will be heard in 1YA’s music, mirth and melody session on Friday, December 23.

August 12 last was the unnoticed musical centenary of some importance.

It marked the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Sir Joseph Barnby. In the days of his obsecurity as a young man in London, Barnaby devoted every spare moment to study and to composition, during which time he wrote a little song, setting a tune to the tender little verses of Tennyson, "Sweet and Low." The composer sent the song to Henry Leslie, of "Leslie’s Choir," and immediately forgot it. Not so the public. The song became a "hit." It was sung every-

where. Men were heard amorously lisping it in dark places; street boys got part of the tune of it; young girls called it beautiful; and it sold,

sold all over the world; and brought to its composer the appointment of musical director to the publishing firm of Novello’s. From that day his path onward was almost clear of rocks.

RITUAL DAYS OF THE JEWS

4YA listeners — will hear Barnby’s "Sweet and Low" on Tuesday, December 20. Although it will be played by massed bands, it will still remain ‘Sweet .and, Low."

One of the most sacred festivals in the Jewish ritual takes place from December

17 to 24, "Chanukah" or "The Feast of Lights." Festival celebrates the solemn dedication of the Temple by Judas Maccabaeus and is a delightfully domestic ceremonial. A candle is lit on each of the eight days during which the celebration lasts -one candle on the first day, two on the second, and so on to the eighth day, when there is much rejoicing and feasting in every home, It is interesting to note that whenever a Jewish family takes over a new habitation, a little ceremony very reminiscent of the feast of lights takes place. This is called "Chanukat habayis."

EXIT LADY ON A HORSE

All this ceremonial, with glimpses of Jewish home life, manners and customs, will be described in detail in a_ talk, "The Feast of Lights-A Glimpse of the London Ghetto," to be given by Mrs. Lola Maries from 3YA on Tuesday, December 20.

Yetanother Australian soprano has scored a big success as Brunhilde. Bri-

tish and Continental opera houses have been the. scenes of many successes in this role by Florence Austral, and now comes news from New York of the triumph of another Aus-

_ tralian singer in this role, Marjorie Lawrence, who reappeared at the Metropolitan recently. Born at Geelong, the home town of John

BIE EO LOLOL aE Brownlee, Marjorie Lawrence has had experience at. the Paris Opera House, and three years ago she made a. sensational debut at the Metropolitan in the role. She is the only Brunhilde of the present day who carries out Wagner’s instruction at the end of "Gotterdammerung" to make her exit on horseback. She was denied ‘the more spectacular equestrian leap into the flames. As the Americans would say, "the Metropolitan wouldn’t stand for it."

ORIGINS OF — JAZZ PIANIST

Marjorie Lawrence, soprano, will be heard from 2YA on Sunday; December 18.

Dark, quiet and anything but temperamental, Mary Lou Wil-

ilams, 18 one OL the outstanding women instrumentalists of jazz today. She began the piano when she was five and after two years of scales and exercises was considered a prodigy. Always a symphonic music enthusiast, much of her fine musicianly feeling springs from these classical beginnings. After leaving high school she toured on vaudeville circuits with an act known as Seymour and Jeanette. One of. the musicians with this act was Johnny Williams, "the saxophonist, whom Mary Lou married in 1926. After twelve happy years they are still together jn Andy Kirk’s Orchestra. She is a clever musical arranger and a brilliant pianist.

HE FEELS ALL THE BETTER

1YA listeners will hear Mary Lou Williams, pianist, on Saturday, December 24.

Although Sir. Seymour Hicks > has played the part. of Scrooge in "A Christmas

Carol" over 2000 times, he hds felt

better every time for the tears he has shed when listening to the words of Scrooge’s clerk, . who, smiling through sorrow, speaks of that "green place" where Tiny Tim was resting. How thankful, says Sir Seymour, should we be to Dickens, who taught us that at Christmas time no man, who is a man, could think anything but well of all his fellows. The world is full of Cratchits. The universe is peopled by 2 thousand Tiny Tims and also, alas! by many, many a Serooge. Charles Dickens let loose floodgates of pity for the weary and oppressed, and gave also to the rich a glorious Christmas gift-a golden key with which to unlock gateways and enter kingdoms where real happiness may be bought by giving. "A Christmas Carol," by ‘Charles Dickens, will be read by Professor T, D. Adanis on Friday, December 23.