Herman Neuman

Veteran announcer Tommy. Cowan speaks of the early days of radio and his long association with WNYC.

This episode is from the WNYC archives. It may contain language which is no longer politically or socially appropriate.

This episode of Speaking of Music varies from the usual format, instead of an individual artist discussing music, four experts converse on the subject.

Guests include:
Dr. ...

The works of great Norwegian composers

Herman Neuman conducts the WNYC Concert Orchestra.

3 extant discs, one broken.

Incomplete.

Some skips/fused grooves.

Actual rundown:

Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus, 1756-1791. Symphony K. 385 "Haffner", D major (mvts. 2 and 4, incomplete)
...

A special program airing on the day WNYC new Greenpoint, Brooklyn transmitter was dedicated.

Weber announces "Gypsy" violinist Martha Kovacs accompanied on piano by Herman Neuman. Kovacs plays "Resignation" by Charles Dancla (incomplete), and "Melancolie", by Hubert Leonard (incomplete), and a Serenade by Drdla (incomplete). Ms. Kovacs is only heard playing briefly at the end.

WNYC archives id: 73806

Virginia "Jean" Rea sings Gloria Swanson's well-known song, "Love, Your Spell is Everywhere", with Herman Neuman at the piano. This is followed by a rendition of Irene Canning's song "Just Been Wondering" and Wilfred Sanderson's "Until".

Severe speed fluctuations throughout.

WNYC archives id: 73689

WNYC Sign-on by announcer Roland Weber. Time (6:00:30 PM) weather and an announcement about holiday mail delivery, followed by a brief piano interlude performed by Herman Neuman. A passing mention of Football Commissioner Walter F. Ocean's decisions regarding referee assignments.

WNYC archives id: 73691

The Musical Pastels Trio performs (Arthur Jaffe [?], violoncello; Mary [Jane] Genovese, violin; Melvin Feldman [?], piano), along with Nita Novi, accordion, and Clara D'Angelo, soprano.

Musical Pastels Trio performs "Hungarian Serenade", by Victorin Joncières.

Nita Novi performs "Accordiana", by Charles Magnante.
...

Time is given at the tone (6:00 PM), by host Roland Weber, followed by a brief weather report based on information gathered by an airstrip on Long Island.

A piano selection is played by Herman Neuman.

Roland Weber with a complete, clean Station ID. ...

Roland Weber announces time of day and the weather for aviators. Herman Neuman provides a short musical interlude on the piano. This is the earliest known evidence of WNYC's first Music Director and one of the founders of the American Music Festival. Program is cut short.

WNYC archives id: 73651

Herman Neuman introduces a selection for violin. "Variations of Corelli" [Tartini or Kreisler?] performed by violinist Edwin Grasse. No music.

WNYC archives id: 73796