Music from the Disc

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 102, 4 May 1929, Page 25

Music from the Disc

ißlilitary Precision. . Knter mu-e more, also Ihe mij'hly .rhiladelphia Orcheslia, trained lo'tho Inst man as pcrlVi-My as a military itnil. The vast host gave us a dazzling licrfoniiaiiee of the voluptuous music ■ol." the ".March ol" Ihe (.'aueassia.M <.'hief," pairing it willi the contrasting !: -"l)ance Orientale,'? by (iia ? ,oimov, -.played with the same brilliance and pre'■cision in attack. Tin; Philadelphia Sym'.yhtjny Orcheslra is easily Ihe linest' recording team in tho world. "Ilamo is Whore Yo Aio." . (1) "A Norlhcru LiiniL-nt"; C 2) ■f'.Uanio is Where Ye Are."' Sung 'by ;Klder Cunningham (wilh oreliesira). ;-yVnot.lirr couple of songs by CunningMiam liud their way into our hearts '.through this disc. " This splendid bassbnritone's singing, line as it is, is for;Kiittcn in his masterly intprpret.ilion. Seldom indeed arc we privileged to ■ hear such expressive vocalism and such ■finely arranged orchesl ral background '!»to a voice. Rachmaninoff. Bich tone, a clear melodic, line, and transparently executed embroidery .■phrases make "Bees Wedding" (Men- ■ ■.delssohn), played by KachmaninolT, a '•Joy to hear. On the same record is no kother Mkiii Iho eternally popular "j're-'.-ludo in C .Sharp Jlinor." Here is a sense of rhythmic compulsion. Uallaus by Carmiclinel. (1) "Our am (Hen"; (_) "lletnlre's •Karowell to Scotland." Sung by Alexander (.'.•irinicliae.l. Aoolher .Scots baiifonn of exceptional vnicu a nil vocal .ability is Alexander ("armichael. lie -■-ings with true sincerily, and (he feeling Ihiit he evokes carries absolute conviction. The spirit of Ihe "I)einln.\s .•:ii-are,well" ii wonderfully well cau"hi both iv voice and rc-onl. Magniflccnl. Peter Danson i,-i truly magniliceul, in "Tho Song of the i'lea," by Moussorsky. This is auroly Iho firsi; time justice has been done lo this song in English. No moro biting satire" has ever benn given a moro satirical selling, and Dhwhoii displays tho half glee, half, scorn in the manner of Chnliapin. On the reverse side lie sings "Oh! Jty Warriors," from "Klgas Ciirnctacus," a- stirring air that suils Ihe voice admirably. The oivhoslral ii.ccoiiipaniinenls lire under Uarbi-rulli. One wr.il.br said rccmilly that l.iawson. was the. cheapest, bargum on tlie grniuo-.plu-nit, and here he lias plenty of ground for his opinion.

Albert Handler and his Fnrk Lane Hotel Orchestra. (1) "Adorer" (West); ("., ■M,,,v0 JOvorb sting" (Prim!). I'bvod liy Albert •Sandier.and liis I'nrlc Lam: Orchestra. "Adnreo" is n. new f.ix-trot with ;, hnuni iujr, mifnrgiMfnhlo melody, ;iii.| "Lov,. JCvprlfiHlirif;'' is mi,/ „f 'Un.folL* i-M-lllllV llldst y,,,pillnr Compositions. J-olh lilies :iri) crrliiin nl" wide popularity, ployed and recorded as Ihov am I.V Hie popular orchestra of Ihe '|';,vk -Lane Hotrl, London. "La Eolicmc" Coiuplc!,a. Willi " I,;, Uoliemo," I'u.-.ini placed himself doliniloly :il, Ilio head „r (ho vomiger generation of Italian composers. Tlio librctLists wisolv made no attempt 1o construct a dramatic whole from uungpr's novel, but chose .('our scenic each complete in ilsnlf, l.dit alt conLrasl<<i with oho another, which together «ivc n capital performance of lifo in J'a-ris about, 18.10. f'ueeini's music reflects tin! alternative gaiety and puVliof* ot Muger's hook with ;i truth and sineerily to -ivliieli no name but, that, (1 f genius e;in ho applied. 'What, opera hivpr docs nr.l. lovu 1.1 i,. beautiful duel .• O soavo l°iinii:iill;i," Ilio poet's son;/ '-'Oho goiida innnina" ("Voni- Tiny Bands aro Frowii"), |.|, O K »y " Mlm . rtt.-i.-s W.-Hl^," „,U | (1,,., j^thoHo Mimo's i-'jirewrJl." The c.omplclu opurii liiis liocn recorded \>y n. company oj" ivcll-kiiown nrtiata from Ijii. fScala .Milan, under Curb .S;ihajno, rißsistud l>>' tbo Iju Son In Orchestra. Ooorgini, Iho ieuor, roiic.hus n K r C! |(; climnx in "Clio Kcfulu immimi," foul (lio sopnmo niiiis are rxqniaitcly suiifj. 'j'lio various ensembles lire /incly resonnnl..

_(l) "Two Old Tramps" (Seeley „,,,) JTolloway); (!J) «|) ( ,,rt Marry Monday" (Henry and Kiehnrds). Jtaymoml JS'ewell. This .performance of Iwo very popular songH could not; well be bcMered in voice or stylo. Newell has onfe more proved himself an exceptionally tine .•Htist, and his wide, and appreciative public should be delii'hled with this latent release.

(I) "V,y the AVaters of Miiinelonka" (bieurance); (2) "Al, Hawning" (CadJiian). .Snug by Coriuno Hider-Kolsey. 'Hns recording must liavo come pos'thii.sto direct, f r ,, m Anmrica, as it I,a H mil. yet been released in Kngbiul. Coriniie Jfider-Knlsey has a voice of great beauty, of exlraordinary range and expressiveness, and in he',rendition of these popular ballads she infuses (he right sentiment, and aliuosJihcro.

_ . fcommciiling on tli<- Mozart .Symphony in h Flal, -which was recentl>-'recorded by tho Berlin 8(nto Orchestra Sir Henry Coward, tho ruinous music writer, in tho "Yorkshire Evening .News," writes:—"This is a. fine scries. J-lio long introduction is presented with -well-ordered contrasts mid very plena--I'ig tono-quality, and tho allegro, which J3. joined on, displays virility and mastery of details as tho wonderful constructive] skill is unfolded. In the imtlinitc, tho convincing phrasing puts the seal ot tulistry upon the interpretation. Tho short interludes of the oboe and bassoon, and tho firm nssertivo strings are conspicuous features of tho movement. The inenuctt averts tlie cipli'rating quality which has made it famous. The hcnvenly trio comes like an oiichjiutmeiil between the bold ihVl'hmie. swing „ft),,, mcmiell, ;,,„( |.|ic" it•])nsr. Hilarity -j B the mood of the allegrotlo, and this jocund atmosphere U iJiuvpr ahscnt. cv.-n in the subdued pas*.'igcs. Tho opening limb of tho prin<-i----,;p«l subject—tho presto rush .lownwurd. I'roni tho dominnnt to tho tonic is in■■•'.ossantly loused from one insl-riiiucnl -1o another, rind suggrsls a inprry-go-l-oiuid of (lashing colours. Thi 3 is" „-ir'•'(■■l on to the last bar, and the mi T'l-ession uiade fully accuunts for Hans .Kiehter's humorous remark, 'There is •n. future for this young composer.' " - Clarity and reiinemcul. aro tho two features of tho perfornianco of Hchubert's "Trout" Quintet by I3ii.-,khaus (piano), Mnngcot. (violin), Howard (viola), Willierfi (Velio), and Hobday ,(doubln-bass). Tho pianoforlo tono is

excellent —as is usual willi Jlai-khnu-!— the balance is goo<l, and altogellier thii is a rlinnning set of records. Sclnilinf, as Liszl finely said, is (he most ponficai musician Mi at ever wa«. The perfnniiance gives Schubert's mrlodious nuisi.in a happy and peaceful way. Uaekhaus, perhaps the most correct of all pianists, suits his style to the Quintet. To no set of records could Ihe descriplion "sweetness and lighl " be more admirably applied. There is nu piece of lyric music more beautiful.

(11 "Flow Oentlv, fjweel Alton"" (.Spilman); (2) "Jtobir. Adair" (Old Celtic Air). .Sung by Barbara Msturci, niezzo-soprauo. These Bcotlish ballads have an abundance of real human warmfh, and Miss Maurel invests them with singular pathos in addition. This fine record could be well classed willi thy best of Columbia's Sjcollish reroidiiifcTs for April. Jleifelz must charm all willi his performance of "Kstrellilii" (Little Star), which affords him something more Mian mere, opportunity for spectacular technique. This time ho wins us by tho caress of his magical bow, threading his way through the poignant melody willi devotional fervour of rarest intensity. On reverse Urigo's "Valsn Jlliielle" is played by Ileit'etz with that grip and masterly poise, so essenli-illy (he ilominanl ipialilies of his genius.

".Symphony No. r, ;„ |.; M ; „,„.■• (Tchaikowski). I'luyed by ||,c Concertgebouw Ondieslia coinlueleil by William Alengelbeig. Written in one of Tchaikovsky's happiest yen is. his liJlli H.ympliouy has little or nulliing „r 1],,. morbid pessimism of Ihe "I.'al hel ie 1' (his sixth and last). The second movement b of unL'orgetlitble beanlv, and Ihe Mi HI is a wall* as liylil and 'charmintc as that in tin- Nut .'Cracker Suil.-. AtengellH-rg's inlerpietation is a. truly great one, and (lie, Concerlgelioinv Orchestra, plays wilh all Hie retinement <"■ llio stark slrenglh Iliiil Iho score demands. It is a most conviin-ing reproduction. s

There is an excellent ensemble (J L' voices in Ihe record made by tho Maulers Lough, Mil I let, and others ol: Sir Walford Dnvios's pleasant nursery rhymes, and on llio reverse side is 'a, beautiful harmonised version of "Orink to Me Only With Thine Eves." The ri-cmd is worthy O J' llio Iradilioua of the Temple Church, which has now become world-famous 'because of its soloists and choir.

(1) "AVliero is Hie Sour of Sonys for Mo" (tox-frol.); (1!) Muni a Wweetliefirf," (I'ox-lrol). l Jhi,ved hv J', lU | Wliilenian and his orclic'stia. 11. mnsl. not. be l'orcotlcn t.lial. I'iinl Whil.eiiiuii, :iillion>;li he. is Mm accepted Ivinir o f •la/,/,, is liiHl and t'oremoHl, a intish'.ian. Ills arranyemeiils of these sparkling foxtrots an; marked with delightfully even tempo, in .spile of (Mover and unusual instrumentation. JioUi this record nnd the number below should prove '■"■" »f I'iinl Wliilunwin's hirgcsl. The Kniriish ciilic. Complon Mackenzie, considers Stuart, Uolierlson 1,0 ln< Iho l.esl; Kut;lish-sin X in X baritone. Mia blest re«i#ds includos ."Mysidf When Vonng," from \A/.t, Lehniann's "I'er■sinii (iarileu Suite," and t.lm new lifo ho puts into what, had becomo a, tnero peK on which l.lie Kinder' Imiif liig i'rniticst notes is remarkable. Uvory word is clear and. what ii more, every word is given iln jnst, value. o n 11,' ( . oilier side ho sings llkil. exfjnisile nonnet, of Koswtli's calleil ".Silent, Noon," which Vau^hiin Williams set. to eipiallv Jovely music. ' (!) "ISlue Ni(fhl" (fox-lnd.)! (\i) "O'hitpnta." (waltz). I'layed by I'anl Wliilemau and his orcliestra. Thenhave, been innumuraldi; i.i'oids i.f "Chiipiila," bnl. it, is doubtful whelh'T nniongst this galaxy of recordings, the oxccllonco of Paul Whil.omnn'H version, is ovon nearly approached. 11, is doubt fill oven if any other wall/, record equals it, in steady tempo and pcriVcl rhyllim. 'I'lie foxlrol, coupliii K „„ |),,. reverse is equally tine in i| K (lwll class, and rncordiiiK of hold numbers is beyond repruiiuli. A welcome addition lo urainophdoe lileraturo in "The tiolden 'I'reasnry of .Recorded Music," of which Ihe "first number has ;jhrl been issued. Of (!,,» intended series Mr. Alec Itoberlson, A.X.A.M., is Ilio editor and foinpilcr.' Mr. Koborlson aims in (heso booltlels at providing "an inlelli K i|jlo (juido lo a wido rango of recorded music." lie has set to work, therefore, lo select a number of records nnd to discuss the inherent features of each side of (heso records. IMb comments aro more mij;Reslivo than iixlmusl.ively technical— like tlio very best oi 1 coiumm-I. pro^rammo notes—mid that the aim of Ihe lniokn Ihu series will bo e.onslanlly added Id, I urn told—is plainly sincere the editor 1 and author makes clear by Hie fact |lia|, lio invites kindly criticism or sujjjje.sl,lion from those who seek lo {jot Ihe most out, of Iheir rccord.s as lo how lo improve the handbooks. Tlio present book deals with J.iacli and I'.eethoveu. Tlio glorious Concerto in 1) Minor, six movements from the 11.I 1. Minor Muss, and the Motet, ".Tosh, Joy iJII( | Treasure " are among the. lined'records discussed (with musical examples), and of J'.eethoven arc tlio violin concerto, Ihe 0 minor symphony, the Quartet in (!, from op. !>!), and tlio overture to "Coriolanus." Thero should bo a wide audienco for these delightful little lectures, which are, as unaßßuming in stylo as they are informalivo in matter. (1) "Away Down South in Heaven" (Clrcen and Warren); (i!) "Is Jlo the lioy Friend?" (Volleu and Ager). ,Suii|;

by .Sophie Tucker. Sophie Turk, r records are limk'-d for moaHi by montii by numberless, admirer* all over lii. world. .In hrr inimitable v.ay she „..,-- vide:i us again with .-= I ill Hmd'hcr "winner."' Ted. Shapiro's Orche-itra is. .■;' course, a t'eattuc of her surc-ss -;r- ---■'''•"". ol" i-iiuisi', is "Tvddv" liim.~p|r. You'll find all w,u .'xpect and nn.r I hi'; disc. (I) "Tin.- Standard on ihe Miaifi'.Mai"': (L 1) "Duncan (Jray." .Sun- l.v Kldrr Cunningham Mvit'l, ..i.-li.wi"ra i 'I" fro.lbh.lls 1..v.. a flair „i I), :,., (fray has n.. V er be,,,,- 1,..,.,, . M m- and lepriidllei.il wllll Mich ■.■'nil and .|'V ap. I'l'vialive huuioiir. llcaiing 'llievr l.wo sniii's makes us reali^. thai, il l:ik.-,i ■•'. really line S.-.,h vola. isl. lo mal,i. a proper siiccks "f [-entlish ballads. .\n,| r-ucli iiiidoubtrdly i~- Klder I'iiiiiiin^iiain. Beit Sellers. Tin: following' li-:| of 1,, .| <„11...|.J |,a s been coni]>iled I'lom tin- iale^l relnrii;-----•>1" retailors: — "Dance Oricntali-"' (Ula/.onnov), played by (] K . 3'hiladelphia Svinpliony Orchestra. "Gay Caballcro." sun;: by Frank Crnmit. "A Konni with a View" (I'ovlrot) l).y the Jfhylhm JJainl. "Oluilita," sung by (.ienr«o Melaxa (tenor). "181S! Overinre" (Tsi-liaikowsky), tdayed by (he Coldslream (.iuards Hand. "Arlesiuiinu," pl.-iyod by Hie Kreisler rirolluTH. Shakespearian Speeches, by Jolm L'.arryniore. "■lmponete," dnot from "La Traviata" (Verdi), by Calli-Curci and De Luca.

"Tin Campanula" M/iszl), played In l-i-vit/.kc. "Song of I In; Vagabonds,'" l.v iN-nr.iK King (baritone) ;,n,| chorus. "Darky Stevedore" (I'oxlrol) .l.v N:il. Shilkrcl iihd his Oiclicslin. Two ill' (In; most, litmcum ol" .l«li:iiiii Strauss \s w.-illms art- oxqiiisilelv played Iby the Chicago Symphony (jfcliosl ia under Frederick Stuck. Tho pieces are "Wine, Women, 11.1111 Nrtny," which liiia also formed Iho snlj-jtM-t "of :i piauoforto solo by Unehmaninoli. anil " Roses of! (hc-.South." Strauss., Jilt.- all tin' ol.licr famous Viennese composers, is a niMsk'i- at combining rhyf.lim' wiUi lyric ! music. With liitu tho'wall/, in never maudlin, hut. vivid, and I'aseiiialing. The playing of llio orchestra is bcnufifully J.irillinnee and verve characterise, llio I wi.lU uong "G'annoiiii," by Dusoliua. Giruiiihii, a, glorious soprano, who is to visit Now Zealand this year. Mho sings with a Spanish-like, abandon, and oneis carried away with iho accelerating rhythm. A marked cunt nisi is provided by (ho reverse, number. "My Mother," which is given with sympathy and tenderness.

I'erhapa tlio most striking fealuro of modern light songs and music has been Ilio advent of (ho Iheino son;;. A eiiitpje of yciirs a«o only a few und ion pictures had conga aceompanvinn tlioin. but. owing to their popularity, and owing to the increasing desire for vaudeville turns ou [jicluro pro^ranimeK, the theme boiijj has become a vofue! and Ihe producers are paying lii;; priCes for satisfnclury numbers. This has brouirhl, souio of the befit, composers into the iield, and such songs as "lioniance" .'mil "Jeiiiinine" have been t,he result. We hnvo in (he 11.M.V. list "My Angel" and "Out of tlio .Dawn," played by Jesse Crawford on (he Wnrlitzer organ; "Some day" and "Neapolitan Wighl.s," two dance „iuuliers played by the Tronbndoiirs"Honny Itoy," and ",leaniiine." siiu<r by .Icno Austin; and "Angel." by Johnny Ma.win. I.'rael icallv- all the theme songs are available 'i M \ wit „,. Ihree forms.