GRAMOPHONE MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 252, 23 October 1926, Page 33

GRAMOPHONE MUSIC.

ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDS.

(By SOUNDBOX.) Chaliapin on the concert platform, and perhaps to an even greater extent by means of the gramophone, has popularised the "Song of the Volga Boatmen." It appears in a new guise, played by KirillofTs Russian Balalaika Orchestra (H.M.V. lOin), an unusual but rather fascinating combination. The other side, by the same players, presents a Russian folk song, "Shining Moon/ , bright and rousing, and melodious witihal..

An "indestructible" record is to be placed on the market in- England this month. They may be bent in the hands, and there is no danger of breaking them by dropping them. A writer in the "Gramophone" say*: "Since they are both cheap and tearable, the prospect of indestructible popular conga ig not as formidable as it sounds!" Let tts fervently hope that the reference to eheapneas will be borne out when the pricee are announced.

Rosa Ponselle, whose beautiful soprano voice has only to be heard to be appreciated, may be known to gramophbniste by her splendid singing of "One Fine Day," from "Madame Butterfly," recorded by Columbia. She haa now been recordeo by H.M.V. in her roles of La Gioconda and Aida, from the operas of the same name. From the former she singe "Suicidio," in which 'she contemplates death by her own hand, and "0 Patria Mia," one of the finest arias in Italian opera, in the opinion of a famous critic. Rosa Ponselle has a voice of unusually wide range and the dramatic talent and personality to do justice to such roles as those from which this record is made.

j Just now, when Dick Henderson on I Aco and Imperial records is being adveitised at "the man who made the King laugh" at the variety gala performance recently, one is reminded that Harry Tate was, 14 years ago, also known as the man who made the King laugh, at a Royal command performance. The famous sketch "Motoring," which achieved this triumph, was immediately recorded .by Columbia, and was at that time the only 12in record of its kind in the world. It is said to still hold its own as one of the best comic record* in existence.

The Mayer-Mahr Quintet, playing for Parlophone, produce a good record of Schubert's Trout Quintet," theme and variations!, fourth movement, the various instruments maintaining the interest through both aides of the record. Readers' of the "Gramophone" may have seen mention of this composition as being used by the editor, Compton MacEenzie, to overcome opposition to "chamber music" by those who fear it as "highbrow." The simple expedient has been adopted successfully of lending records of the Trout Quintet on the understanding that it must be played and listened to. The result ia always the winning of another lover of chamber music.

Recollections of the successful picturisation of Rafael Sabatini's "Sea Hawk" will accompany the hearing of Stephen Langley's stirring singing of the song of the same name, which breathes the spirit of the rover. The reverse, "Adelai;" rang by Billy Desmond, aa admirable singer of light songs, is another Arabian love-song following the Sheik tradition. The record is a lOin Aco.

A splendid introduction to the Edith Lorand Orchestra playing for Parlophone is "Hej Haj," Danse Hongroise (Drdla), and "Scene Passionall" (Becci). Edith Lorand is a Hungarian violinist*, who has organised an orchestra of capable musicians, tlie result being a series of very fine renderings of a wide range of music, of which the record mentioned is chosen as a typical example. Edith Lorand visited England several months ago, bat the general strike seriously affected her London recitals, and must have caused disappointment to many of the admirers the gramophone has won her who were unable to travel to hear her.

An unusual record that add* to novelty the merit of being well rang by a good voice is "Invocation to the Sun God," and "Peyote Drinking Song," sung by Chief Os-ke-non-ton in the native dialect (H.M.V. 10in). The singer who has a fine baritone voice is a Canadian Red Indian. Even when a native race survive* the contact of civilisation, its old customs tend to die and this and similar records will be more appreciated a* time panes. A New Zealander hearing this record might natnrally regret that the beauties of Maori folk-song are not available for gramophone lovers. Rosina Buekman'e singing of "Waiata Maori" was a thing of beauty, but alas, not "a Joy for ever" ac it has disappeared from the Columbia catalogue, an absence regretted by at .least one who heard and liked it without securing « oopy.

For those gramophonist* who must consider ways and means when indulging their hobby, and they must be tthe vast majority, a good, cheap source of music is provided by €he makers of Imperial records, which sell at a lower price than most. As indicating the wide range of the Imperial catalogue, the following are a few titles chosen at random: "March MiHtaire" (Schubert) and 'Tolonnaile" (Chopin); "Blenari" (Wagner), two sides; "Morning, Noon, and Night" <Suppe), two tides, all played by Anderson's Military Band; 'Shepherds' Dance" and "Morris Dance," from German's "Henry Vm.," played by the Newcastle (Australia) Steelwork* Band; "Rose Marie" and "Indian Love Call," songs by Yvette Rugel; "Help to Make a Little Sunshine" and Tm Sitting on the Top of the World," songs by Chas. Bonheur; "The More I Sμ of Mary Seymour, the More I Want to See" and "Moonlight and Roses," fox trote;. "Jesu, Lover of My- Soul," and "Old Hundredth" and "Abide With Mc," rang by St. Paul's Cathedral Quartet; "Souvenir" (Drdla) and "Solveig's Song" (Grieg), violin solos by F. W. Hill; and Gilbert and Sullivan music by the Amal Symphony Orchestra.