Accordiana

 

 

Accordiana was a musical radio series broadcast on CBS in 1934, specifically airing at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday evenings. Each 30-minute episode featured soprano Vivienne Segal and tenor Oliver Smith, accompanied by the Abe Lyman Orchestra. The show was occasionally listed in newspapers as Abe Lyman's Accordiana, highlighting Lyman's significant role as the conductor. Notably, Peter Dixon, in his 1934 column "Inside the Studios," mentioned that Lyman directed the orchestra from the control booth rather than in front of them, an unusual practice at the time.

Beyond Accordiana, Lyman's orchestra—alongside Segal—frequently appeared on numerous CBS radio programs throughout the 1930s. Abe Lyman eventually became known as the regular orchestra for the show Waltz Time, which showcased traditional music during the 1930s and 1940s. This series not only illustrates the musical culture of its time but also marks Lyman's enduring contribution to radio music programming in that era.