Music from the Disc

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 112, 14 May 1927, Page 24

Music from the Disc

Undoubtedly the musical event of 'no year is the visit next month of

fgnace Jan Paderewski, the world - famous Polish pianoforte virtuoso. In the world of recorded music Padere: ivski is a general favourite, especially amongst those who delight ir the highest forms of interI pretive art. Paderewski's recording has not, per-

haps, been so successful as Moiseintitis, Do Greef's, or Bachaus's, but it is, nevertheless, of % very high order of urit. The Paderewski list recommended here includes: Valse C Sharp .Minor, Op. 64, No. 2 (Chopin); Warum ("Why?") (Schumann). Nocturne P. Sharp Major, Op. 15, No. 2 (Chopin) j Polonaise Militaire (Chopin). ' Campanella (Liszt); Aufschwung (Soaring) (Schumann), Hark, Hark, the Lark (Schubert-Liszt); Chant d JAmour (Stojowski). Cracovieane Fantastique, Op. 14, No. 6 (Paderewski); Minuet in G, Op. 14, No. 1 (Paderewski). Nocurne in B Flat (Paderewski); Valse in A Flat, Op. 42 (Chopin). Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 (in two parts) (Liszt). Impromptu in B Flat Major, Op. 142, No. 3 (Schubert). There are others, of course, on the catalogue, to which ! gramophonists'may refer for • further explanation.

There is simply no finer type of music than, chamber music, but it is the kind that has the smallest following and the least understanding.' These records can be—in fact, have been—recommended as ideal for those ready to or desirous of making a move in this direction. They have been detailed at .various times in these columns, and it is unnecessary now to say more than that here is exquisite melody, harmony, colour, and life and rhythm—music not hard to understand, very easy to love — Haydn: Quartette in E flat, played by the English String Quartette; Mozart: Quartette in G Major (the lovely Serenata Quartette), played by the Lener String Quartette; Beethoven: Andante from.Op. 18, No. 5, played by the Catterall Quartette. Quite recently these additions have been made: Tchaikovsky's 'Andante Cantabile," played by tho^ Lener Quartette. For sheer beauty of Sound there are few things in chamber music -oalms to equal this. The Catterall Quartette's debut is with a lovely record of the "Andante Cantabilo" from Beethoven's A- Major Quartette. Wh^ii playing really good string music it is even more essential than with orchestral music, ..nd far more so than with band records, to see that the discs are correctly centred on the turn table. Sometimes the centre . holes through which the turntable spindlo goes are too large, and a certain amount of side-to-side play is made possible. The least swing of this sort destroys the delicate harmonies of this kind of music. Watch for the least lateral sway.of the needle, and adjust it by a gentle nudge on the outer edgo of the record, against the swing.

"Barcarolle, Tales of Hoffman" (Offenbach) ■— "Intermezzo, Cavalleria Eusticana" (Mascagni). Played by the New Light Symphony Orchestra. This excellent orchestra made a gramophone reputation with its rendering of Goldmark's "Bustic Wedding" movement, and a Spanish "Morloguonor," and this, reputation it haa certainly, sustained'in thb disc abovo mentioned. This should pW>vo to bo a very popular bracket, for both are favourite numbors, and though frequently recorded in the past, have never been so clearly reproduced from the machine.

'' Scheliorazado'' (Rimsky-Korsakov), recorded in four parts by tho Royal Opora House, Covcnt Garden, under Eugene Goosens. Tha story of RimskyKorsakoy 's delightful, poem '' Scheliarazade" is the story of tho "Arabian Nights," which had their origin in the idea of the Sultan's favourite to postpone tho threatened exocution of all tho ladies of tho harom by telling a series of fascinating storios to the Sultan, which lasted over 1001 nights. At , tho end of that timo tho Sultan had forgotten his original design. Tho music endeavours to depict tho high lights of tho entertainment, as, for example, the "Festival of Bagdad," tho "Storm," and tho "Shipwreck." Theso are excellent records, and as they are in the "plum-label", class, aro moderately priced.

"Elegio" (Massenet's "Song of Mourning") and "Ich Grolio Nicht" (Schumann's "I Do Not Comulain"), by John Brownloo (baritono)/ John Brownlce, Australia ?s brilliant young baritone, was "discovered" by Melba, who took him ,Tvith her party on her farewell tour of tho British Isles. Ho has chosen two charming and happily contrasted numbers, ono sung in French and the other in German. Brownleo's voice is of sound quality, with a fine resonance and richness of tone. Those records quicken ono's anticipation of future recordings by this very capable artist.

Of tho many Pachmann recordings none has lent itself better to gramophone. reproduction than his rondering of Liszt's Paraphrase of Verdi's "Rigolotto." This exquisite piece, which he almost invariably reserves as a final titbit amongst his encores at the Queen's Hall, London, offers tho pianist probably the hardest technical difficulties of any pianoforte solo. This records the sheer loveliness of the arpeggio passages and the superbly timed rubato show what an incomparable master of hia instrument Pachmann has become. On tho other side of the same record Pachmann returns to his old love, Chopin, and executes two of his shorter passages with the graceful, sympathetic easo ono always expects from Chopin's foremost exponent. The playing throughout is most accurately recorded. TMb is one of tho new pianoforte records that has lost little or nothing in reproduction. A masterpiece in every way.

"Ragtime" (Stravinsky) ana "Navarra" (Albeniz). Pianoforte recording by Marcelle Meyer. In "Ragtime," Miss Meyer gives us a capital reading of Stravinsky's celebrated "ragtime joke." Stravinsky, of course, would consider straight ragtime com position beneath him, but the superiority of is art enables him to make a very diverting play upon the wellknown features of jazz. The companion number is an attractive morceau by the Spanish composer, Albeniz. "Aloha oe" ("Farowcll to Thee"— Hawaiian} and "Prom the Land of the Sky Blue Water" (Cadman), violin disc by Kreisler. Here are two very simple arid appealing melodies, interpreted with all the artistic expression and technical skill of a world-famous virtuoso. That fact in itself makes tho disc well worth while. :■■ Unmistakably Gallic in their, spirited vivacity are tho two recordings of;the Garde Republicainc. This regimental band is easily the most celebrated in France, and though Londoners hayo their own Guards' bands, they are always eager to welcome the Garde Republieaine. Though a military band naturally does not attempt music of the very highest flight, the gramophone lover will find in these two tunes good stirring nnisic. of the sort that goes ■ straight into the heart of everybody. ''La Revo, Passe" in.particular, a tune made famous and familiar in war utiine, will arouse.

"Nocturne in B-Major, "Op. 32, No. 1, "Impromptu in F Sharp Major." Op. 36, No. 2 (Chopin). This is probably Pachmann's best recordirg of Chopin, and should be included in every giamophonist's library. Both numbers are thoroughly representative of Chopin's style. , "Come d'auroto sogno" and "Timor di mot" (Verdi). Amelita Galli-Curci (soprano). Verdi's style is admirably suited to ' coloratura singers of the Galli-Curci school, and in these two numbers the famous Galli-Curci gives us of her best. The record is a very representative presentation of the GalliCurci method.. "Variations on a Theme" (Paganini), Op. 35, No. 1 to No. 13, in two parts. Pianoforte, William Bau'-haus Paganini's extraordinary "Variations," written for the violin, have been, transcribed for the pianoforte by Baekhaus himself, and recorded for gramophonists with all the verve and brilliance for which this great virtuoso of the instrument has become justly famous. To teachers and students especially this disc should be very valuable. ; "La Boutique Fantasque" (RossiniEespighi), Royal Albert Hall Orchestra. This is, in every sense of the word, an orchestral bouquet of sheer delight, and no collection of orchestral records-would be complete without it. Its merit as a musical work ließ in its wealth of tone colour, and its delicate filigree work. The recording of the Eoyal Albert Hall Orchestra under the new process is excellent. "Behold, the Lamb of Goa," "Hallelujah Chorus" ("The Messiah," Handel). Royal Choral Society. When the Royal Choral Society gave its last performance of "The Mecsiah" in the Royal Albert Hall, the British Gramophono Company made specal arrangements for the recording of th- actual performance. The results of this achievement, which v^as entirely successful, are being released from time to time. These two records are excellent examples of the quality of the series. The volume of choral tone, the full orchestra, and the grand organ, are reproduced with a fidelity that is really thrilling. ! '

"Nola" (Arndt) and "Glow Worm Iayll" (Ijincke). Salon Orchestra. Of the various small orchestras whose recordings of dance and other light music are very popular amongst gramophoniats, the Salon Orchestra has an excellent reputation for "good stuff." A very good example of the Salon Orchestra's quality is to be heard on the above disc. Each has a charm of its own, and although it is not of a lasting quality, still very pleasant for interludes. "Nocturne," Op. 27, No. 2 (Chopin) —"Kondo m (5 Major" (Mozart), j'as'eha Heifetz, violin. With the return to this country of the boy prodigy, Jascha Heifetz, there is a reyival of public interest in his recorded work. Of this there is a very long list. Amongst his most recent—new process period—are transcriptions of Chopin's I "Nocturne, Op. 27, No. 2, and Mozart's "Rondo in G Major." These show Heifetz at his beat in strongly-coatrast-ed numbers. "Kashmiri Song" and "Lesa Than the Dust" (from Amy Woodfordo Finden's "Indian Love Lyrics"). Played j by de Groot and his orchestra. Played as orchestral pieces by de Groot's finished orchestra, these charming songs by Amy W)odforde Finden have a double value and attraction. They can be enjoyed aa straight-out orchestral numbers, or used as orchestral accompaniments by those desiring to sing them. The latter is a very enjoyablo experience. "Funeral March of a Marionette" (Gounod) —"Punjam March" (Payne). Black Diamonds Band. It' is a long time since wo heard a really clear rocord of Gounod's quaint marionetto processional, and that is what the Black Diamonds Band has given ns. Tho roverso number shows tho band in excellent form in a good rousing quickstep. "Always" (Irving Berlin), sung by Barington Hooper (tenor)—-"When the Rod, Bed Robin" (Woods), sung by Clnrkson Rose (comedian). These are probably two of tho most popular hits of the day, and in the hands of tho above artists mako excellent entertainment.