American Babel: Rogue Radio Broadcasters of the Jazz Age

Prelude

Prelude In late December 1921 a farewell reception was held in New York City for the Viennese composer Richard Strauss, who had been touring America. A novel entertainment had been arranged for the occasion: three piano rolls recorded by the composer were to be ‘‘shot from’’ the experimental transmitting station WDY, maintained by the Radio Corporation of America in nearby Roselle Park, New Jersey. At precisely half past four Mme. Elizabeth Schumann, soprano, was to rise, stand beside a radio receiver, and sing along to the transmission of Strauss’s prerecorded piano accompaniment before the guest of honor and a gathering of the New York classical music elite. At the appointed hour, however, the engineer in charge could bring in nothing but static. A decision was made to proceed with tea while technicians worked on the problem. After the tea service had been cleared away, the experiment was tried again. This time the hapless engineer tuned in the strains of a popular air called ‘‘The Jazz Baby,’’ followed by ‘‘The Alcoholic Blues.’’ The fillip of wireless technology was hastily abandoned, and Herr Strauss graciously sat down at the keyboard and accompanied Mme. Schumann himself. Reported in the New York Herald as an amusing curiosity, in retrospect the incident takes on an emblematic aspect as a warning skirmish in the coming struggle over the correct cultural uses of radio.1 ...