ESSEX CHRONICLE

 

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1922 

 

MUSIC  AND  SPACE.

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Transmissions  from  Writtle

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Novel  Scene  Described.

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 The wonderful potentialities of wireless telephony and the point of excellence to which the invention has been advanced were again demonstrated in a striking degree at the first of a series of ''aerial'' concerts by the Marconi Scientific Instrument Company, one of the associated Marconi companies, on Tuesday evening. Hundreds of amateur wireless devotees as well as the experts enjoyed half an hour's musical treat seated at home by their self-constructed receiving stations. The finely adapted Marconi station at Writtle was utilised for transmitting purposes, although on this occasion the power had to be restricted in accordance with the terms of the Post office licence to 250watts, providing a wave length of about 700 metres. Mr. Robert Howe, the possessor of a delightfully toned baritone voice, who is the musical director of the Harold Wood and District Musical Society, was the vocalist, and selections on a ''Cliftophone'' were also transmitted with most satisfactory results.

 By courtesy of the management at the Chelmsford offices of the Marconi Company, a special permit was granted to The Essex Chronicle for the attendance of a representative at the Writtle transmission station, he being the only person thus privileged apart from the technical staff engaged and those responsible for the musical items. Sharp at 7.15 the novel programme started. In a specially fitted up cubicle the musical party were accomodated, replete with piano and a bulky repertoire. After a series of telegraphic signals for calibration purposes, a member of the Marconi staff informed his expectant hearers that the proceedings were about to begin, and it needed only a little imagination to dwell on the size and sort of the scattered audience. Mr. Howe's first contribution was a ''Floral Dance'' which, heard through receivers by the Essex Chronicle representative in a separate building some distance away, sounded beautifully clear and resonant, totally lacking anything in the nature of ''tin.'' The accompaniments, too, rendered in pleasing style by Miss Elsie Berry, were distinct and tuneful, completing a wholly successful presentation of ''wireless'' music. Mr. Howe stood close to the piano, and sang through a sensitive hand receiver. He was well acquainted with his present duties by reason of a long experience in singing for the making of gramophone records. His high notes in particular were most accurately  transmitted.    Then came a selection, ''The Lost Chord'' on the Cliftophone the soundbox of which had been ingeniously connected with the transmitting apparatus. This is a greatly improved type of the gramophone in the form of an attractive looking musical box, and its notes were a real pleasure to hear. In the song  ''Old Barty''  Mr. Howe seemed to tell his hearers in just the rollicking mood he was. Although unheard their appreciation could be safely assured. Not only words, but spirit, were faithfully interpreted.  Two more selections were given on the Cliftophone,  ''Robin Adair'' and ''Salut d'Amour.'' At the close a verbal message was sent out that reports on these transmissions would be appreciated, this being repeated in French and Dutch. In commemoration of the occasion a flashlight photograph was taken of Mr. Howe at the piano, holding the receiver by which he transmitted his songs.    

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