IN THE WAKE OF THE WEEK'S ...BROADCASTS...

Radio Record, Volume XII, Issue 28, 23 December 1938, Page 9

IN THE WAKE OF THE WEEK'S ...BROADCASTS...

"TOPS" IN HER RADIO TALKS

Ngaio Marsh, Christchurch, gains the title of Public Speaker Number One among women radio talkers. From 38YA the other night she

talked about ‘‘Three Months in urope.’’ Her work was admirable.

First her deep rich voice is suited to the microphone; second, her matter is excellent, and third, underlying everything she has to say by radio is sound commonsense tempered with a vein of subtle humour. Miss Marsh may well star as "‘tops’’ in this field.

MICROPHGNE SENSE OF CHOIR

Over-the-air chohrs can he some‘what indifferent,.no matter how ‘well they sound in @ hall. ‘This is usually due to unsatisfactory placing of the microphones, or a lack

of the right balance of voices, so that strong voices drown out the lighter ones.

No such com‘plaints, however, regarding the transmission given by the Opoho ‘Church Choir from 4YA the other ‘Sunday. Indeed, no complaints at ‘all; instead, praise for the singers ‘and for theix unknown :conductor, -The choir’s singing was a lesson in real harmony. In "The. Glow Worm," I honestly thought I was ‘listening to a first-rate recorded .presentation.

SHE SPOKE TO CHILDREN

Farewell broadcast of American woman .trumpeter, Grace Adams Hast, was generously given last week in a national hook-up for a talk to the children of New Zealand.

She does not speak over the air quite as well as she playswhich, admitted-

. ly, would be ask‘ing almost an impossibility-but -her voice was well-pitched and soft, So that the American accent became a pleasant variant to the New Zealand ear, without harshness and with a quaint interest of its own, ‘Material of the talk was excellent, wise advice masquerading as pleasant entertainment. . One suspects that Santa Claus will have numerous requests for trumpets this ‘Christmas,

WELL DONE BUT NO SURPRISES

There was no violent excitement about the first Christchurch wool sale, even though prices were Steadier than many expected and the demand more animated. Wool.

almost alene among primary commodities, has for a year now Yemained extraordinarily stable.

without great Huctuations either way in any of the important markets. However, the two Christchurch stations, 8YA anc 3ZB, managed to infuse some enthusiasm into their retailed reports to listeners. Station 38ZB. turned on the "barkers" at various times during the day and enterprisingly interviewed an auctioneer, who came to the microphone immediately after Selling 256 lots in 324 minutes, Peak prices and comments on purchases were given during the day. Station 3YA, having an expert at the hall where the sale was conducted, sent frequent reports over the air, complete with prices in full range and the state of competition, Country listeners-those most con-cerned-were more than well served by the Christchurch: radio services. A day or so before the sale, 3ZB conducted a sidelight, ‘in which listeners were taken through the whole wool process, from the time the sheen arrives at the shearing

shed until the bales are offered for sale. This was excellently done, and interestiis to everyone-for wool prices have a mirror of their own in the pocket of the man in the street.

STUDY OF SOPRANO

Recital from 2YA last week by Wanganui-born soprano Julie Werry, touring from Australia for the NBS, gave listeners a glimpse of fine achievement, even finer possi-

bilities. Criticisin of the first group she sang, "Arise, O Sun by Day," "Hush-

eeh, and "Gorn Home," was a slight breathlessness, as if she had hurried a little on her way to the studio, but the second bracket, "At Parting" and "A Birthday Song" were near faultless. In the first song of this bracket, she sang as Tauber must

have heard her sing when he said she had the perfect musical comedy voice. In the second she sang with a native integrity that only just missed, to my mind, the full interpretative values. When she gets those just right-and that will come from living rather than singing-there is no telling what she may not do. Mr. Claude Tanner notably assisted with his cello obbligatos.

STATION 4YA HAD THE HONOUR

Station 4YA was lucky in having the honour of presenting to New Zealand listeners Mary Scott’s recorded talks, "Leaves From A Backblocks Diary.’ Only one of these

talks has been given up to the time of writing, but its quality was enough to make all who

heard it tune in eageriy for the others. Mrs. Scott has been a pro-

lifie writer of backblocks life to New Zealand periodicals, her essays being marked by an unusually strong literary ability. I found the iaik, delivered in her pleasant voice, of real, and of undoubted New Zealand, interest. I don’t know how many of Mrs. Scott’s articles I have read, but it’s no small number, and as it is obvious her spoken articles are to be as fascinating to hear as her others are to ead, I for one shall not mind how many I hear. Other centres in New Zealand can look forward to the @ay when the NBS stations there present "Leaves From A Backblocks Diary."

CONQUEST OF SHYNESS

Pioneer broadcasting station in New Zealand, 4ZD is quick to encourage juvenile talent. Every Wednesday the "Sunshine Session" fives the children an hour and a

half’s freedom of the air, and some surprisingly good talent comes to light from time to time.. Myself

I often find more enjoyment inthese performances than: the more Strained efforts of "artists" who | are often old enough to know better. Any steps made to bring children out of themselves-and I doubt if there is any better method of conquering shyness and self-conscious-ness than the placing of children before a microphone — deserves praise, And those who are in charge of this particular session do their utmost to put children at their ease. Last week I was highly amused by the rendering of "The Greatest Mistake in the World" given by 4 three-year-old. I don’t think it was a mistake to send that child to the studio, for he revealed a near approach to artistry. Session concludes with the excited youngsters being allowed to call up "hullos" and "goodbyes" to parents and relatives.

MOAN THAT HAS

i was amused one day when a@ commercial announcer. said, "Dorothy Lamour will now moan the ‘Moon of Manakoora’."’ The announcement prepared me for the

worst, and virtually all I remembered of the record after it was played was its moaning note.

Since then I have heard the record from other stations. Later hearings satisfied me that the 4ZB announcer upset my perspective. Maybe the song is "moaned," but -by its:very theme and native air -demands that treatment. Dorothy Lamour gives the song with artistry, mood and voice regulated so successfully she can create in the mind’s eye an Island moon, lazy lagoon waves, and swaying coconut palms.

PEOPLE KEEN ON WORDS

Recorded talks over 3YA by that learned man Professor Arnold Wall on "Fhe Meaning of Words," have been among tke most délightful items of their kind

on the 38YA schedule recently. And some of his verdiets have given people furiously to

tink. or instance, a Hstener in Timaru, writing to the station last: week, queried the origin of the American expression "O.K." The correspondent claimed that it came from "Oll Korrect," signed on papers dealing with battle arrangements made by Stonewall Jackson during the rebel rising. The correspondent cunningly added, "Jackson was not regarded as an educated man." This one is new to us! .