Radio: Tin-Pcmners Panned

Radio last week pulled off a whacking satire on the violence done the music of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky by popular composers. The Celebrity Theater (Blue, 8-8:30 p.m. E.W.T., Thursdays) presented “Deep in the Heart of Tchaikovsky.” Bandleader Freddy Martin, whose arrangement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto was a juke-box perennial as “Concerto for Two,” played the role of the Russian composer.

The plot: Tchaikovsky comes to Tin Pan Alley, tries to sell his works, is accused of stealing from Freddy Martin, Larry Clinton, Andre Kostelanetz and Mack David—all of whom are indebted to the Slav for top tunes. Discouraged be cause Variety will never say “Tchaikovsky Pop Hits Top,” he mopes toward suicide.

But Beethoven dissuades him, rates him roundly for self-indulgence (“You and your Pathètique Symphony!”). Tchaikovsky tries again and comes up with a smash hit—a jive version of the opening theme of Beethoven’s Fifth.