First Anniversary Program: The Nutcracker Suite

Announcer Rex Benware introduces Music and Ballet's first anniversary program and he reads a telegram of congratulations from WQXR co-founder John V. L. Hogan. Guest, André Eglevsky in introduced.

Eglevsky talks briefly. Kyra Alanova (a.k.a. Kyra Deakin, daughter of Adolf Bolm (and wife of Irving Deakin), who speaks briefly and reads and translates a congratulatory telegram, in French, from Bronislava Nijinska, the famous Polish choreographer and dancer.

Announcer Benware introduces and plays an excerpt of a recording of Leonide Massine, from a prior Music and ballet program [program no. 10] and reads a congratulatory telegram from Massine and a congratulatory telegram from Col. Wassily de Basil, the Russian ballet impresario whose Monte Carlo ballet is now on its fifth American tour.

Benware has words of praise for impresario Sol Hurok who speaks briefly about Irving Deakin's great contributions to ballet. The announcer then introduces WQXR's Music Director, violinist Eddy Brown, who speaks briefly about the Music and Ballet program and WQXR's willingness to take a chance on a program devoted largely to visual art form.

Announcer Rex Benware then introduces Deakin who talks about his gratitude to the people who have made the radio program successful. He goes over the show's conception, original production, and the music of the ballet Casse-Noisette (The Nutcracker).Deakin thanks the listener's for their many letters. Music selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker are played accompanied by Deakin's commentary and the host concludes by talking about the aim and intent of the show. Closing remarks are made by announcer Rex Benware.

(ca. 48 min.).

Audio courtesy of the NYPL Dance Division.

WNYC archives id: 152554