GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 9 (Supplement)

GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

' artists and their records.

(By SOUNDBOX.)

Xhe fox trot "Rio Rita," from the niiuical play of the same name, is a melodiously catchy thing, while "The Kinkajou," which completes the record, is infectious. (0958.) warm welcome should be accorded another fine record by the choir of St. George's Chapel, Windsor, "'The King of Ix>ve" (St. Coluinba) and Psalms 122 »nd 123. (0994, 10-inch.) ffell contrasted items are offered by the Grenadier Guards' Band in "La Pfcloma" and "Twist and Twirl." The former gains much by the introduction of castanets, and the latter is a catchy ODe-step. (0987, 10-inch.) By means of a record Miss Adele Collier gives a dancing lesson on the hesitation waltz. Steps are explained, then a few bars of 'music are played while the dancing mistress counts the time. On the other side is "Huguette," from "The Vagabond King," & hesitation waltz with which to practise the steps. (0992, 10-inch.) A versatile instrumentalist, Len Fillis la equally at home with banjo or guitar! , On the former he plays "Banjoviality" and "Uncanny Banjo" (0990), and on the gnttar the very popular "Souvenirs" and 'When You Played the Organ a*d I Sang the Rosary." (0991.)

There is a very definitely marked tendency on the part of the recording companies to revive the favourites of yesteryear. And a wise move too if it results in a series of records as satisfactory as the playing by Eddie Thomas' Collegians of "The Missouri Waltz" arid "Till We Meet Again," the latter with vocal chorus well harmonised. (02553,12-inch.) Described as "a very laughable record," a comedy monologue by Al. Herman is just that. In "I Thought I'd Die" he tells us his ideas of love, and details his matrimonial experiences. The subjects an by no means new, and it is something of a triumph that the comedian deals with them go freshly. (0973, 10ineh.) That clever band of mandolin experts, •ixty-five in all, known as Circolo Mandolinistieo, continue their triumphs with - the intermezzo from Act 4 of "Carmen," and the serenade from "Les Millions IVArlequin." Contrary to what one unacquainted with this band would expect, their interpretations are always nrasicaj, and, by the use of mandolas and _ giMtars, very much more interesting than « seems possible, until their records are heafd. (0089, 10-inch.) Sir Hamilton Harty and the Halle Ordiestra have recorded Dvorak's "Carnival" overture. Since the coming of electric recording, which enables the recording apparatus to be moved from .. .iplace to place as required, it is quite i., interesting to notice where the various musical organisations face the microphone. In this case the Free Trade Hall, Manchester, was the scerie of operations. A splendid series of operatic selections is offered' this month ly the New Orchestra. The 'y»ygementjE,are by Tav'an, who has the nappy Knack/making the right choice as to what 7 ,t0 include and what to omit. Selections stich as these from "Aida" (02661)/fit* Tosca" (02502), and "Madame^Butterfly" (02503) all in one month'*;issue represent alm6st an embarra,isnjent of riches. All are 12-inch.

TJiO Jounje mouth Municipal Orchestra (sanest capable body, doubtless largely jw tp the standing of its conductor, Sir W"/Godfrey, assisted in some measure tbmi support accorded by the crowds WW Tisit this favourite resort. Quite •nrunusual gort of record has been made ! by soloists of this orchestra. "Gee nTMaz" is a"xylophone solo, while "Rippling Streams" is a duet for piccolos. Both are fine, the orchestral support being as notable as the work of the soloists. (02575, J2-inch.)

A new contralto, as far as tlic gramophone is concerned, Sophie Braslau, a Russian !>y birth, is another artist whose reputation has been assured by her suctoiees in America. Her first record is "Come to Me, O Beloved" (Bassani-Mali-piero), and the well-known "Drinking Song" from Donizetti's "Lucrezia Borgia." Tfe reason, by the way, that this song of carousal is sung by a contralto, is to»t in the opera the part of the young Count Orsini is always taken by a contralto. (04067, 12-inch.)

Following the remarkable success of the record of the boy soprano, Master Ernest Lough, "Hear My Prayer," it has become necessary for the choir of the Temple Church, London, to find a use for the funds accumulating as the result of the huge sales. It is surely wonderful that the beauty of a boy's voice singing a beautiful anthem, should have brought •ucli a volume of business to the recording company that on a basis of 5 per cent of the proceeds it is possible for the choir to consider the foundation of a scholarship for singing, and the formation of a library of recorded sacred music for training choirs.

For the finals of the dancing competition held in England, four of the leading dance bands were engaged—Debroy Sowers', The Kit-Cat, The Piccadilly Revels, and the London Radio Dance Band. Two reijr4s were made of all four bauds playing together, the four conductors taking turns. The result is an amazing volume, with an even more amazing reproduction of t-Ke "atmosphere" of a huge crowded ball. . The titles are "It's Ray-Kay-Raining," and "I'll Never Be Happy Till I Get You," fox trots (0083) and "Bless Her Little Heart," fox t-rot, and "I Left My Sugar Standing in the Rain," Yale Blues (0084).

Da me Clara Butt's biography has been written by an old pupil of hers, Winifred Ponder, and an amusing story is told concerning George Bernard Shaw, *nd a foreword to the book. In reply to Dame Clara's suggestion that he ■hould give the book a send off, G.B.S. replied, "Good gracious, I'd never dare. You are a much bigger person than I. I should look like a ridiculous little busy-body making a pretentious bow in .</ /your limelight. And, anyhow, what y Could I say! 'Witnessed her debut as i. f■■ pjffeo. Loved her. Would have married, s Ker if she'd asked me. She didn't. Might actually have chosen Bernard ... Shaw and chose a Mr. Rumford instead! What a woman!' Don't you let anybody touch your book except yourself. If you find anyone impertinent enough to venture, burn his foreword and drop Jim into the dustbin. Ever and ever, Q. Bernard Shaw."