GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 242, 12 October 1929, Page 8 (Supplement)

GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDS. (By SOUNDBOX.) This iveelv's definition : Ancl.uite cantabile, literally "going" and "singing," hence moviup: along steadily with unbroken songlike melody. This week we consider recent issues of the lower-priced catalogues. Here are a, couple of Zonophones for those who fancy accordions and out-of-the-ordinary instruments—"Oriental" and excerpts from Gershwin's "Ehapsody in Blue" (E8162) and "Drops of Brandy," jig, with '"The Milliner's Daughter," reel. (50G5.) t . It takes a negro to do justice to negro spirituals, and the Utica Jubilee Singers (male voices, unaccompanied) have a very acceptable offering in "Angels Watching Over Me" and "Climbin' Up de Mountain" (Zonophone 5159). William Kennedy singing "The Oldfashioned Mother" and "'Tis an Irish Girl I Love," is sure to please the many to whom Irish sentiment and the McCormack style of voice make a strong appeal. (Regal, 62045^)

Sir Harry Lauder's latest is "Love Makes the World a Merry-go-round" arid "I'm Looking for a Bo;inie Lass to Love Me," both his own compositions; indeed, he seems to have a preference for thoroughness, eo often docs he write his songs as well as sing them into popularity. (Zonophone G. 0.84.) Here is a 12-inch Regal that is a real gem. The Minster Singers, among whom are several very good, voices, sing a selection of the most interesting solos and choruses from Handel's "Messiah," a total of nine items, concluding with the "Hallelujah Chorus." (G30017.)

If you want a military band record that has good tunes well played, hear "The Wee Macgiegor Patrol" and "The Turkish Patrol," by the Eoyal Air Force Band, in which the successful recording of the brass tone is matched by the excellence of the Avood-wind. (Regal, G 20479.)

One of the greatest tunes that over came from America is "Turkey in the Straw," written many years ago as a reel. This and "Little Judy," another reel, played by O'Leary"s Irish Minstrels, make a record that, with its bright cheerfulness, will tickle many ears. (Regal, G20454.)

Here are several recent Zonophone light vocals: "Sweet Music" and "All of the Time," by Maurice Elwin (5,'i01); "If I Had You"' and "Yo Te Amo Means I Love You," two good tunes (EEI4S); "When the Curtain Comes Down" and "My Mother's Eyes," by George Jesse! (EEIS2); "Where is the Song of Songs for Me"" and "When Summer is Gone," Franklyn Baur (EEISB) and "Lady Divine," with "Coquette," by Paul Oliver (EE.100).

Several years ago I used to enthuse over the delightful singing of Billy Desmond in light songs. He had a way of his own with a laughing lilt in his voice. Ge6rge Rose, singing for Regal, has the same voice and the same regular tjme and well-stressed accent. His "I'm Crazy Over You" and "A Dicky Bird Told Mo So," while far from classical, are jolly good tunes, sung in a way one wishes more singers of light fare would adopt. (G20504.)

Lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan, will revel in "The Gondoliers" on two Broadcast records. This opera contains far too many "gems" for one record to do them anything like justice, and the decision to make two records has made possible the inclusion of almost everything worth while in what must be one of the most melodious and popular of the whole wonderful series of scintillating musical plays that resulted, from this great collaboration. These two records, in which soloists, chorus and orchestra arc all of a very high' Standard, are good buying, and 60 arc recommended (5067, ,5068).

Those who attended the last concert of the Bohemian Orchestra aijd took a fancy to Respighi's "La Boutique Fan* tasque," one of the several encored items, will be glad to know that it is available on a 12*ineh Regal, played by the 8.8.C. Wireless Symphony Orchestra, under Percy Pitt, RespigM has taken an interesting series of excerpts from Rossini's works and made this happy arrangement of them, as tuneful and diversified as Rossini himself. (G30018.)

Here is a selection of Broadcast twelves, Frank Titterton, an accomplished English tenor, sings the "Flower Song," from "Carmen," and "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen," from "La Boheme" (5002); Ceredig Jones, bass-baritone, sings "The Blind Ploughman" and "Friend o' Mine" (5057); Frederic Lake, tenor, sings two very well-known favourites, "Nirvana" and "Thora" (5858); the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra plays Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance" March, No. 1, the popular one, and Nos. 1 and 2 of Brahms' "Hungarian Dances," a fine orchestra (5033); Berkeley Mason, at the organ of the City Temple, London, plays Chopin's "Polonaise in A Major" and the Introduction to Act 111. of "Lohengrin" (5065); spleiir did military band work is the contribution of the Life Guards Band, playing "Cavalleria Rusticana" selection in two parts (5064); Jan Rubini plays as violin solos Massenet's "Meditation," from f'Thais," and "The-World'is Waiting for the Sunrise" (A 1002); Ethel Hook, an English contralto, well established in popular esteem, sings "Smilin' Through" and "'My Dear Soul" (5074).

The "Andante Cantabile" from Tschaikowsky's quartet in D, of which it ia the Second movement, is one of the accepted favourites among lovers of string quartets, and has often been recommended as certain to win over to this f6rm of chamber music people who dislike the very idea and think string quartets inexpressibly "highbrow." ' Of course,' it's all a ; question of making the right start, and this "Andante Cantabile" has a tune that will surely captivate all who hear it. As played by the Venetian Players (a string, quintet) it occurs at the beginning of each side of the record. And associated with this tune is the following story. While Tschaikowsky sat near an open windov/ he heard a Russian workman singing beneath. The lovely folk-song haunted him all night, and next morning he called the singer in and set the tune on papeiy later giving it to the 'world to become "one of the loveliest' Islow movements in all string quartet literature." I hope if you hear the re*-" cord that you will like it as well as:l do. (Regal, G20477.)