(For 3.0-3.30 Programmes see opposite page)

Relayed from Birmingham
('DAS NEUGEBOR' NE KINDELEIN')
(' THE NEW BORN BABE ')
Relayed from THE MIDLAND
INSTITUTE, BIRMINGHAM
KATE WINTER (Soprano)
ESTHER COLEMAN (Contralto)
Tom PICKERING (Tenor) ARTHUR CRANMER (Bass)
CYRIL CHRISTOPHER (Continuo)
The BIRMINGHAM STUDIO ORCHESTRA and Chorus, conducted by JOSEPH LEWIS
COMPOSED for the Sunday after
Christmas, the Cantata is one of the very last which have come down to us from the great store which Bach Iwrote. It is based on an old hymn published at the very end pf,.the sixteenth century, which Bach uses in full as the Chorale at the end, and as the basis of his first chorus. As so often, in these opening choruses, the melody of the Chorale is given to the soprano voices, with the others and a full orchestral accompaniment weaving interesting parts about it. Here and there, in the other voices, are little imitations of the Chorale melody, in diminution, adding in a very natural way to the joyous effect of the whole.
The bass aria which follows is a splendidly expressive one, demanding highly finished singing on the part of the soloist, end another specially interesting number is the Trio, No. IV, which is cometimes sung by the choir... The Chorale appears in it again, now as the middle voice, and almost throughout the accompaniment there is a dancing figure known to Bach enthusiasts as ' the Angel motive,' suggested to him, no doubt, by the text of the previous recitative.
I. Chorus : ....
Sing we the birth of God's dear Son, From highest heaven to earth come down,
Bringing to us a glad New Year
And to all folk good Christian cheer.
II. Aria (Bass) :
We mortals, scarred by sin's dark blemish,
As angels now should joyous be; For hear how jubilant they tell
That God on earth descends to dwell. So comfort take, and care bid vanish !
III. Recitative (Soprano)
The angel band, who did from man of old shrink as a thing accursed, now swell the courts of heaven with anthems rolled, and man's salvation tell. his foes dispersed. God, Who did once in Paradise drive man from His reproving eyes, again to full salvation calls you, and comes from heaven above to Eden to restore you. So, thank Him now with praise o'erflowing. Whose grace this blessed lot on man's bestowing.
IV. Trio :
God is our Friend and Helper true, 'Gainst Him what can fell Satan do Hell and its iron gates must yield ; For Christ our Lord is Sword and Shield.
0 happy they, in God confiding
The foeman's power and snares deriding!
His raging now doth vainly vex us ; God shields his own and will protect us.
V. Recitative (Basa) :
This is the day the Lord Himself hath made. Who sent His Son all in a manger laid. 0 blessed time that's now fulfilled! 0 faithful watching, doubt and longing stilled ! 0 faith, see, the goal's in sight ! And love, too, draws man to God's light. Ye joyous hearts, come now, give troubles wing, and God your praise and homage bring!
VI. Chorale :
Come, let us hail this happy year, And put away all doubt and fear. Raise our glad hearts to God's high throne.
Saved by the grace of Christ, His Son!
The words are taken from ' Bach's
Cantata Texts, Sacred and Secular,' by C. Sanford Terry , by permission of Messrs. Constable and Co.
Cantatas for the next four Sundays are :-
January 5. Nos. 5S and 50-Ach
Gott wie manches Herzeleid (All God, how many a Grief of Heart). Nun ist das Heil (Now is the Grace).
January 12. Ko. 124—
Meinen Jesum lass' ich nicht (Ne'er my Jesu will I leave).
January 19. No. 13-Meine Scufzer, meine Thranen (My Sighs, my Tears).
January 26. No. 21—Ich hatte viel Bekummerniss (My Spirit was in Heaviness).
(For 3.45 to 5.45 Programmes see opposite paqc

ISABEL GRAY (Pianoforte)
THE WIRELESS ORCHESTRA
Conducted by JOHN ANSELL
IT has already been pointed out how César Franck left the pianoforte severely alone for a good many years of his busy life, although it was his first instrument. In the last part of his career he turned to it again with enthusiasm, and this piece was the first outcome of that renewed interest. It is a symphonic poem in one movement, in which the pianoforte is used rather as a member of the orchestra than as a solo instrument with accompaniment-a new departure at that date. The subject is one of the poems in Victor Hugo 's book, ' Les Orientales,' with the same title as Franck's piece. The Djinns were malevolent spirits in the Arab mythology, and in his music Franck sets before us some of the terror which they inspired.

by JOHN COATES (Tenor)

PAUL'S LETTERS——III
Romans vii and viii, 1.17

Conducted by The
Rev. L. E. MEREDITH , PRECENTOR
Relayed from CANTERBURY
CATHEDRAL
Hymn, While Shepherds watch'd their flocks by night' (Ancient and Modern, 62, English Hymnal 30)
Confession and Thanksgiving Psalm 23
Lesson, S. John I, v. 1-5, 14, 18 Prayers
Hymn, ' Hark, the herald angels sing' (Ancient and Modern, 60; English Hymnal, 24)
Address by the Right Hon. and Most
Reverend Cosmo GORDON LANG , D.D., LORD: ARCHBISHOP of CAN
TERBURY
Hymn, ' Soldiers of Christ, arise
(Ancient and Modem 270 ; English Hymnal, 479)
Blessing
The concluding Voluntary will be played by Dr. PALMER, Organist of Canterbury Cathedral
(For 8.45-10.30 programmes see opposite page)

Appeal on behalf of THE JEWISH BOARD OF GUARDIANS by Miss HANNAH F. COHEN , O.B.E., Vice-President of the Jewish Board of Guardians
THE Jewish Board of Guardians is a comprehensive
Charity. It looks after all the poor Jews of London. It maintains the widows and orphans and aged who are not qualified for State Pensions. It has an Apprentices' home for the homeless young, and Almshouses for the homeless old; it does constructive as well as relief work ; it grants loans without interest for any deserving object, from the purchase of tools to the starting of a self-supporting business; it has a Convalescent Home for adults at Walton-on-tho-Naze, and for children at Broadstairs and Brighton ; it looks after the families of tuberculous patients, and finds suitable work for them after their discharge from sanatoria. It meets any need and any form of distress, and never says No ' to a deserving case.
Donations should bo sent to [address removed], and marked ' Broadcast Appeal.'

Local News (Daventry only) Shipping Forecast

DOROTHY BENNETT (Soprano)
HORACE STEVENS (Baritone)
THE WIRELESS MILITARY BAND
Conducted by B. WALTON O'DONNELL
BOIELDIEU was so modest about his own work that, if the story be true, he used to take the completed sections of his early opera, The Caliph of Baghdad, to the Conservatoire in Paris where he was a professor, to ask his pupils for their verdict on the music. If they did not like it, he referred it to the great MehuJ. He need have been in no doubt about the attractive qualities of his music ; nearly all his lighthearted and melodious operas won immediate success, and many of them held the stage for generations after his own day.
THE part of Lucia in Donizetti's opera, based on Walter Scott 's novel, has always been a favourite with singers of the coloratura school. It is an exceedingly effective rôle with more than one fine opportunity. This scene comes from the first act. Near the castle there is an old fountain, beside which Lucy met her beloved Edgar, and here she is awaiting him. There is an old legend that once long ago an unhappy girl was murdered close at hand and her body thrown into the water. Lucy has seen the ghost of the unlucky one, and interprets that as an evil omen for herself. In this melodious air she tells the story of the tragedy.

COMPOSED, as its name suggests, specially for young people's benefit and for the festive season, this Suite is a good example of the melodious and picturesque gift which the composer has at command. In the first movement, called Toy-land,' we are first to imagine the making of the different toys-bells, toy trumpets, drums, cuckoo, and so forth. A whimsical little sec. tion presents a Punch and Judy show, and then a March of Toy Soldiers.
No. 2, beginning and closing softly, is called
' Starland.' The third is very neatly expressive of its name, ' On Tiptoe.' and the Suite comee to an end with a graceful waltz called ' Christ. mas Joy.'

'LORD WHAT IS MAN t '
'VISION'