The Washington times., 1926-09-02
PIANO PLAYERS
ETHER STARS

The static Hight brigade made
merry ON the wave lengths
throughout last evening and the
roar Of its battles was heard from
every point of the compass. But
there was good reception OF high
mower stations, as has been usual
during the past week. In fact,
in some cases the reception was
remarkably clear - particularly
from some Chicago and Canadian
stations. The South was quiet.
ana there seemed q slight shift n:
several stations from their usual &
nOinfs az diaIIing. The night was
good for careful and persistent
tuners.
piano players and the light opera
efforts of WEAF appeared to have
the call over other forms Of enter.
tainment In the loud speakers last
evening the regular Wednes-
dav orchestras delivering fair to
middlin' programs here and there.
The star features of the evening,
however. were three successive piano
recitaIs. that Of Katherine Floecker
Cullen from WRC coming last in
chronological order, but right at the
top in artistic excellence. The other
two were provided by the pianist Of
the Rose Dreeben Trio from WIZ
and an unnamed player from Wis.
Tho WIS effort was one Of the
clearest bits OF piano reception
heard In these parts for many
moons from a station as distant as
Chicago and the playing was Of
the highest order.
OFFENBACH OPERA
PROVIDES THRILLS
II the WEAF light opera section
does nothing else in its presentation
Of Offenbach compositions, IL will
at least have uncovered to radio
listeners the source OF most Of the
tunes heard In musical comedies
these days. 1.-THE Daughter Of the
Drum Major" which was the
vehicle with which the talents Of
Cesare Sodero and his helpers rode
the wave lengths last evening, pro-
vided one of the most brilliant and
delightful bits Of entertainment that
has been heard from WEAF Tor
some time past.
The story OF the opera, as recitsd
by Graham McNamee is that 1t was
written IN the late seventies, pro-
duced by Abbey in New York in
French in the early eighties and
later produced In English. Like
wise It has three acts. It doesn't
require q musical mind TO know
that with such thrilling story be-
hind It, the music must be
magnificent!
Who the lady who occupied the
right hand box was and what she
was doing In an opera house with
out her maiden aunt and whether
the cello player in the Abbey or
chestra had red hair or smoked q
pipe, were just q few Of the essen
tial things about the plot and idea
that McNamee didn't touch upon n
his announcement. Neither did he
say anything about what the opera
was all about--but Of course that
IL non.essential. At any rate, the
music was enjoyed because 1t was
Offenbach at his lifting, laughing
best and the opera hour was the
shortest OF the evening.
SAXOPHONISTS STAR
IN VARIED BILL
The United States Marine Band
played the overture of the evening
program from WRC, from The
Capitol Plaza, and after the Irving
Boernstein washington Hotel unit
had done its very good best with
a number of things, the yeast pow
der saxophonists came on from
New York with a most varied as
sortment Of musical wares. Some
Of the sax efforts were given to
the air in a most pleasing way and
some of them were slightly off
color.
The tooth paste entertainers came
next on the schedule and made
things lively with host Of dance
tunes-and a dog that was sched-
uled to broadcast a good baritone
solo bark, but didn't-showing that
you can put dog on the program
but you can't make him bark.
Then came Katherine FIoeckcr
Cullen and one of her typical piano
recitals from WRC-whicIl was
over all to soon. Mrs. Cullen
played accompaniments for Frances
Bingham Cole, nezzo soprano, who
has q voice of excellent quality,
but who needs to learn enunciation
is half the battle in singing heart
throb melody.