Radio_Hong_Kong_1963-1964 — Page 27

64. 'Market Report' was introduced as a daily feature during the year. This report, which is compiled and broadcast live from the Central Market in Hong Kong, advises housewives of the average daily prices for fish, meat and vegetables.

TOPICAL PROGRAMMES

65. On 25th March, 1963, Radio Hong Kong introduced 'Topics' in place of its forerunner 'Today', a daily 15-minute news magazine. 'Topics', whilst still retaining interviews with visiting celebrities and comments on all aspects of the Hong Kong scene, was expanded to include music associated with the subject matter of the programme. This new format aroused considerable comment and reaction amongst listeners and proved to be an interesting experiment. Amongst those who broadcast during the year in 'Topics' were Marlon BRANDO, Peter O'TOOLE, Gina LOLLOBRIGIDA, Kirk DOUGLAS, Jack HAWKINS, Terence RATTIGAN, Ella FITZGERALD, Ertha KITT, Sammy DAVIS Jr., William HOLDEN, Noel COWARD, Greer GARSON and many other international celebrities visiting Hong Kong. In addition to local interviews, material is frequently available from B.B.C. sources as well as from tapes received from Central Office of Information and many other broadcasting organizations around the world.

SERIOUS MUSIC

66. The growing interest in serious music amongst the population of Hong Kong is amply demonstrated by the increasing number of concerts which are given in the City Hall and by the support they receive from the public. Many of these recitals are broadcast 'live' by Radio Hong Kong or, alternatively, the artist is pre-recorded for a special broadcast in the series 'From The Concert Hall' which is heard on Wednesday evenings. The list of those taking part in these broadcasts is too exhaustive to be given in full in this report but it contains, from overseas, such names as Gary GRAFFMAN, Julius KATCHEN, Hans RICHTEN-HAASER, Halina CZERNY-STEPHANSKA, Dennis MATTHEWS, Brigitte de BEAUFOND, Alain MOTARD, Harry HUTCHINS, Heather HARPER, Ruthilde BOESCH, Kerstin MEYER, the Vienna Philharmonic Quartet, the Innsbruck Chamber Choir, the Studio of Early Music and the Kennedy Trio. From Hong Kong circles there have been broadcasts by Annarosa TADDEI, Barbara FEI, Nancy Zı, Sheila and Iris LAI, Barbara WALTER, Irene YUEN, Ellie KIANG, Rosemary To, Nancy Loo, the Foa Ensemble, and Patti DUNCAN.

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