GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1930, Page 8 (Supplement)

GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

ARTISTS AND JHEIR RECORDS, (By SOUND BOX.) This -week's, definitions:—Staccato, Detached. Applied to notes that are not to be sustained for their full value. "Hear Ye, Israel," from Mendelssohn's "Elijah," is one of the best loved arias in all oratorio, and as sung by Isobel Baillie it displays her beautiful soprano voice to advantage. (Columbia, 01706, 10-inch.) \. . , If Winnie Melville and her husband, Derek Oldham, are as happily matched matrimonially as they are vocally in the series of duets they are giving us, then life for them must be "one grand, sweet song." This month they give us another of Besly's happy arrangements, Chopin's "Nocturne," and "What is Done," from, the musical comedy, "The Lilac Domino." (His Master's Voice, C 1690, 12-inch.) The old-time "square" dances have a fascination in spite of the modern foxtrot and its many variations. Particularly in country districts, I understand, the Lancers are still very popular. The difficulty these days is that there is not much music recorded that is suitable, so that many will be glad to know of "Community Lancers," recorded this month- for Columbia by the Court Symphony Orchestra. The odd side of the second record has "Valse Memories," a waltz medley arranged by Debroy Somers and played by his band. (017012, 10-inch.) |

Respighi is a modern composer, whose works have been creating gramophonic interest, while in Auckland during last winter, the Bohemian Orchestra gave us his "Boutique Fantasque." Now Columbia record his "Fountains of Boone," played by the Milan Symphony Orchestra. The suite follows the sun, commencing with the fountain of the Julian Valley at dawn, followed by the Triton fountain at morn, then the fountain of Trevi at midday, concluding with the Villa Medici fountain at sunset. It is wonderful descriptive music that repays repeated hearing. (On two 12-inch records, 02982 and 02983.) Columbia start the New Year well by listing a number of records by noted performers that are now available at the ordinary dark-blue label price. Among them are Liszt's Second Hungarian Rhapsody by Sir Henry Wood and the new Queen's Hall orchestra (02947-8, 12-inch),; Sir Hamilton Harty and the Halle Orchestra play Dvorak's tuneful and popular "New World" Symphony— five records in an album; Mengelberg and the Concertgebouw Orchestra play the "Tannhauser" overture on two 12inch discs (02945-6); while the Symphony Orchestra, under Sir Dan Godfrey, play jWagner's splendid marches, "Homage" (02960) and "Kaiser" (02961). on 12-inch, just to mention a random selection.

For the opening of the English opera on January 31, 1891, D'Oyly Carte commissioned Sullivan to compose him a grand opera. Though Gilbert had no desire to aim higher than comic opera, Sullivan found the task much to his liking. Julian Sturgis wrote a libretto based on Scott's novel, and in due season ' "Ivanhoe" successfully ' opened Carte's new venture. Throughout the rehearsals the greatest care was taken to prevent any knowledge of the music reaching the public. Sullivan declared that if "Ho, Jolly Jenkin" became known people would be whistling it in the street before the opera was produced. A selection of the best of "Ivanhoe" is played by the Grenadier Guards Band, the item referred to completing the first side. (Columbia, 02980, 12-inch.)

Peter Dawson can't keep a secret! This month he sings "The Smuggler's Song," Mortimer's setting of Kipling's words, and "Boots," words also by Kipling and music by McCall. Let this quotation from the current His Master's Voice supplement reveal the "secret.!' "'Boots' is on© of the finest marching songs ever written. Eumour has it that 'McCall" is the bushel under which a great singer is hiding his light. Who is 'McCall?' Peter Dawson is 'McCall,' and this song was written while the famous baritone was on a train journey to Margate, where he was to give a recital. He had as a travelling companion a volume of Kipling's poems, and reading through 'Boots' felt how easily its wonderful word-rhythm would set to music, so he jotted down the tune on a sheet of notepaper he had with him, and it has been published under the pseudonym 'McCall.' With typical modesty Dawson said little about it, but a friend to whom he sang it, was so impressed by, the wonderful sense of atmosphere and his fine swinging rhythm that he insisted that Dawson should include it in his next programme. It created a furore." (83072, 10-inch.)

Those of us who make the gramophone our hobby would no doubt welcome any constructive criticism, based on facts. The letter of "Amateur" that appeared in last Saturday's correspondence column, however, bristles with inaccuracies. Amateur has already been answered in the correspondence coltfmn, but, as indicating his lack of knowledge, I would mention his reference to "the price of four or five shillings" for records of poor class music. At present, 5/ as the price of records in New Zealand is non-existent. The theme of the letter is that records of jazz are cheap and of good music expensive. The amazing statement is made that "should there be any demand for works by good composers or 'classical' music, the price jumps to 12/6 and away up to £1 or so." Now the standard price is 4/, and a study of the catalogues of the four main companies will reveal a wealth of music of all classes at that price. There are few, if any, records for which we may now pay 12/0". With the removal of import duty this price was reduced to 10/6. The most expensive record I know costs 18/, while for "fl or so" complete works may be purchased, including annotated albums. This (I say it kindly) is ill-informed criticism that may prevent others- from making the gramophone their, hobby. Enjoying the pleasure of music at home is now one of the accepted, good things of our times, made possible by the commercial development of the gramophone. Taking it by and large it is an inexpensive pleasure. I have referred,to this matter for one reason only, a desire to help. If "Amateur" will, as suggested, study the catalogues, I think he will be agreeably surprised. If there is any assistance I can give him I shall be happy to help if he will write to "Sound Bgx/' (care office U J