Artur & Arturo

Big news two months ago to devotees of serious radio music was the engagement of Arturo Toscanini to return from retirement and broadcast next winter with the NBC Symphony Orchestra (TIME. Feb. 15). Three weeks ago Manhattan music lovers heard one of the greatest concerts of the season when Artur Rodzinski conducted his special version of Elektra. And last week NBC created another happy radio flurry by also appointing Rodzinski to its concert podium and by making public plans for a whole year of fine music.

Beginning next season, the NBC Symphony Orchestra, consisting of at least 80 men handpicked by Rodzinski, will broadcast one concert a week for 52 weeks. Toscanini and Rodzinski will each conduct ten as sustaining programs. The remaining 32 concerts may or may not be commercially sponsored. Who will conduct them is equally undecided. It seemed certain, however, that Columbia, which usually matches the rival chain feature for feature, would have to bestir itself to equal the first year-round radio concert project under such distinguished auspices.

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