GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 102, 2 May 1931, Page 8 (Supplement)

GRAMOPHONE NOTES.

ARTISTS AND THEIR RECORDS

(By SOUNDBOX.)

Music is love itself—it is the purest, most ethereal language of passion, showing in a thousand ways all possible changes of colour and feeling; and though true in only a single instance, it can yet be understood by thousands ol men who all feel differently. —"Weber. Described as a comedy duologue, "Dizzy," by Burns and Allen, is very funny, with witty cross talk between the lady and gentleman of tho team. The girl's stylo of work is refreshingly different. (Columbia, DO2BB, lOiheh.) Robert Eadford, from whom we have not heard for some time, makes a welcome reappearance with "In Cellar Cool" and "Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep," both of which suit this great English bass admirably. (His Master's Voice, E497, 10-inch.) J. H. Squire, ho of the Celeste Octet, has the happy knack of writing quaintly delightful compositions, usually based on some idea indicated by the title. This month the octet play two of the happy triples J.H. puts together so effectively, "The Ants' Antics" and "The Fly's Courtship." (Columbia, D.0.305, 10-inch.) With those who have more than a sneaking regard for "the good oldfashioned waltz," I cordially agree, and so welcome and pass on with a confident recommendation Charles Aucliffe's "Nights of Cladness" and "Thrills." These are probably at least twenty years old, but in the present recording are played by a fine little orchestra presided over by the composer. (Columbia, D.0.510, 10-inch.) Tito Schipa, after winning a gramophone reputation by excerpts from hie operatic roles, seems to be devoting his energy and his art to a rather fascinating type of Neapolitan song, having given us several such records lately. Many will welcome these opportunities of hearing the great Italian tenor in this simple but very attractive music. This month he gives us and "Fa la Nana, Banibin'." (His Master's Voice D.A.1088, 10-inch). Rosa Ponselle, operatic soprano, has during the last few years moved on from one triumph to another, and her recorded work proves that there is ample justification for the high opinions she has earned in the leading opera houses. "La Vestale," a little known work of Spontini, was revived for her in New York and she has recorded two arias, "OKume Tutelar" (0 Guardian Deity), and "Tu Che Lrvoco" (Thou Whom I Implore), and very beautifully she sings them. (His Master's Voice, D.8.1274, 12-mch.) ■ ' • An Irish baritone new to me, James MeCafferty, sings "Off to - Philadelphia" and two songs by Herbert Hughe3. The singer has a natural Irish. brogue and a way with him. It 13 interesting to note that the pianist is the-composer of the two delightful songs that take the second side of the record", "Kitty, My Love, Will You Marry Me?" and "Open the Door Softly," about as dissimilar as might be, but they both charm me. (His Master's Voice, 83447, 10-inch). • I have on many occasions recommended as an introduction to great music Schubert's "Symphony. No. 8, in B Minor," famous among music lovers as the '•Unfinished Symphony." Anyone who can hear its two movements through without wishing to hear them again must bo stone.deaf, if you'll permit mo the contradiction. The "Unfinished" was recorded some time ago by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, and issued in America, and it is now at last available in New Zealand. The two movements require a record and a half each. (His Master's Voice, D 17791781, 12-inch). There is a huge body of music-lovers whose treed may be summed up in the confession, "I like.a tune." The tuneful overtures of Suppe have an irresistible appeal to such people, and now Columbia have discovered (gramophohically speaking another like him who may be depended upon to combine melodiousness with interesting and attractive orchestration, Daniel Auber, whose delightful overtures'they have been giving us, one a month, for some time. I mentioned one last week, and now for May they offer "Masaniello," played as usual by the Milan Symphony Orchestra, and well up to standard both as regards tunefulness and interpretation. (D0X149, 12-inch.)

The Don Cossack choir have rightly, •won themselves a huge gramophone following. It might be said of thein that they were fortunate in singing the "Song of the Volga Boatmen" right, at_ the height of its popularity, most attractively coupled. Some' people liked one side, some -were charmed with the other, while, of course, many were equally delighted with both. And of the many there remain a fair proportion who, apart from the inherent attractiveness of the music they sing, are capable of appreciating the vocal art of these Cossacks of the Don—the precision of attack, the almost uncanny control of volume from a whisper to a storm and the ethereal quality of the falsettos rising above a solid bass background. These lovers of choral perfection will not wish to miss "The Eed Sarafan" and "March, Prince Oleg." (Columbia, D.0.X.153, 12-inch.)

I lave culled the following strange story from a trade paper. A gramophone dealer had a regular weekly visitor, not too well dressed, but whose purchase was always a record of the better class. And he bought only after consulting a scrap of paper pulled out of his pocket. This had gone on for some months, when the dealer's curiosity got the better of him, and while the assistant was wrapping the record he engaged the customer in conversation. Said he: "I've noticed for some time past your very excellent taste in records. Have you a gramophone that does them justice?" "No," said the customer, "I have no gramophone at present, but 111 be getting one later on. You 6ee, I watch the, papers and notice the records that are recommended as the best and get one every week. As soon as I've got a good collection, I shall buy a gramophone!" The answer staggered the dealer, he says, and only after consideration did he arrive at the conclusion that perhaps his queer customer was not so queer after all. Those who start off with a few records probably soon tire of them, particularly if the mistake has I been made of selecting "popular 5 music, which soon palls. Then, if the wherewithal to maintain a supply of new records is not forthcoming, the gramophone is neglected and so the abiding Joy is missed that only the confirmed grsnspphoidst jggggh ,_ . uua^.