GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1928, Page 7 (Supplement)

GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDS

(By SOUNDBOX.)

Wonderful bass singing by Ezio Pinza are. his Possenti Nutni," f rom Mozart's Mag to J lute » and " Suore die

wJJ 1 ® ati . OTial Symphony Orchestra jP. y a fantasia of the airs from Pucw?th tv a Bo . he ! Me " Aa one acquainted with this melodious opera would hope the present fantasia, both in selection juatico tS tilis f av °urite opera

Following the recent reference to the International Composers' Contest, for a symphony in honour of Schubert, whose centenary year this is, or for a continuation of the 'Unfinished Symphony," it Is interesting to learn that already over forty worlts have been submitted by .British composers alone.

The fine soprano voice of Gota Ljungfocrg records splendidly in two arias from Verdi's "La For/a del Destino." lace, lacc, mio Dio," and "Madre Pictosa Vergine." The harp accompaniment of the one and the chanting of lie],). 01 "" " e

Continuing the series of operatic airs they have been giving us, Creatore's Band now offer the chief melodies from Verdi's "La Traviata" on both sides of A 12 inch disc, filled with interesting jnusic played with the finished perfection that lias won this famous band it& •nviable reputation. (E.B. 21).

Tributes to tlio Throne have been recorded by the Band of the Coldstream Guards, who play "God Save the King," and "God Bless the Prince of Wales." A very notable feature of the record is the martial roll of the side drums and the success with which they have been recorded. (B. 2613, 10 inch).

Miguel Fleta, a tenor with tho vocal equipment of the more florid Italian school, sings "Spirto Gentil" from Donizetti's "La Favorita" and "Chiudo Gli Ocelli" from Massenet's "Manon," better known as "The Dream," in which Manon's lover, Des Grieux, describes a dream he has had of her. (D.B. 98G. 10 inch).

Tlio London Symphony Orchestra, tinder Albert Coats, play one of the movements (No. 3, Mercury) from Hoist's suite, "The Planets." The record is completed with the ballet "Dance of the Spirits of the Earth," from the same composer's burlesque opera, "The Perfect Fool." (D. 1308, 12-inch).

Conducted by Siegfried Wagner, the London Symphony Orchestra has made a ▼ery noteworthy record in its playing of the "Lohengrin" Prelude in two parts. Richard Wagner took pains to hand on to his son his very definite ideas regarding his music dramas, so the playing of such a symphonic body under the baton of Siegfried may well be considered to give an autoritative Interpretation. (D. 1258, 12-inch.)

One of the finest efforts the vocal quintet known as "The Revellers" has given us for some time is "Nola." It is cleverly written, and as cleverly sung. The verse opens slowly with quite a hymnlike air, but the chorus, in marked contrast, is remarkably melodious and "snappy." On the reverse is the very popular "Souvenirs." (E.A. 285, 10 inch). The latter is an English success, and on this record appears Tinder its English title. In America it ■was titled "Among My Souvenirs," and It must be admitted that the additional two words make it much more attractive. Indicating the shrewd business sense of the American.

As Moiseiwitsch is now appearing la Auckland, perhaps a list of the great pianist's recorded work will be of interest to readers. With the Royal Albert Hall orchestra, conducted by Sir Landon Ronald, he has recorded "Concerto No. 1, in G Minor" (Op. 25). (D 969-970-071.) His solos are "Berceuse" (Chopin) and "Chant Polonaise" (ChopinLiszt), D 57; "Scherzo" (op. 31), Chopin, two parts, D106o; " The Cuckoo," Daquin, and (a) Chopin's "Prelude in C Minor" (op. 28. No. 20), and (b) "Valse in D Flat" (op. 04), (E10); "Spring Night" (Sciiuniann-Liszt) and "Dream Visions" (Schumann) (E265); "Gopak" (Moussorgsky) and "Mazurka in A Minor" (Chopin) (E319); "Playcra (Grandos) and "Si Oiseau J'etais" (Henselt) (E417); "Polonaise in B Flat Major" (Chopin) and " Grillen" (Schumann) (D 1280); and Mendelssohn's "Hunting Song" and "Song Without Words in F Major" (E478).

The monthly supplements of the leading recording companies are becoming more and more informative. Inside the front cover of the current His Master's Voice list is the story of the opera * Carmen," which takes the full page. The next page lists the many records of tli© opera. There is so much to know About music that it would be a fine tiling if the companies each month did something of this sort. The reason so many gramophonists appreciate only the obvious in music is, I think, that they have not become acquainted with more pretentious works. If each month a list could be given of "real music," worth while classics that every music lover should know, perhaps it would assist those who at present miss much from lack of guidance to add to their collection of recorded music the gems that have stood the test of time but require to be known and understood to to appreciated.

Giovanni Mariinelli needs no introduction to gramophonists as the recorded work of this fine tenor in solo and duet have won him a large following of admirers. His offering*this month is "Addio alia Madre," from Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana," and "O tu che in seno," from Verdi's "La Forza del Destino" (D.B. 1089, 12-inch). By the way, surely Verdi's "Force of Destiny" is one of the most gruesome operas as regards plot. Here is a very brief synopsis: Young lovers, consent to whose marriage has been refused, are eloping when the girl's father overtakes them, is mortally wounded, and, with his dying breath, curses his daughter. She seeks refuge in a convent. Her brother swears vengeance for the death of his father. The men fight and the brother is mortally wounded.'' He stabs his sister and the lover throws himself over a cliff. For want of characters to carry it further the opera then comes to a close. Yet in opera the story matters less than the music that embellishes it, and a musical friend of mine insists that this oMra is his favourite. _ f inr