Music from the Disc

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 56, 15 September 1928, Page 24

Music from the Disc

New Maria Kurenko Record. (1) La Boheme —"Musetta's Waltz Song" (Puccini); (2) "Mignon—"Connais tv lo Pays?" (Thomas). Sung by Maria Kurenko, soprano. Tins disc provides two exceedingly, pleasant numbers and serves as a further introduction to this lino soprano's amazing clarity and flexibility of voice. Further records of this talented singer's voice aro sure to bo welcomed by everyone who'appreciates personality as well as technique in vocal accomplishment. In both numbers tho recording is as perfect as the rendition. —Schubert Records. The list of records issued to commemorate the Schubert centenary has | already reached imposing proportions. In addition to an even then rich treasury of Schubert's music was issued recently the famous "Great". 0 Major Symphony by the London Symphony Orchestra and Dr. Leo Blech. Now is to come shortly tho "Death and the Maiden" quartet played by tho Budapest String Quartet;. Tl i so records, it is said, are especially notable for their astonishingly Vigorous reproduction, marking a new advanace in the technique of reproducing tho playing of a string quartet. Tho "Quartet in D Minor" is oiio of the most remarkable .of Schubert's compositions. It was written in 1826, but accounts differ as to whether it was ever performed during Schubert's lifetime.' Grove says it was and that Schubert revised the finale by shortening it very considerably after hearing his friends' criticisms. The work is written in a large mould, and in view of the fact that its composition was contemporary with some of the last group of Beethoven quartets one can only marvel that Schubert, who was comparatively immature—especially as regards technique—should have written such an extraordinary work. Then we have the delightful Schubert bracket record by John M'Cormack: You would have to go a long way to hear "Who is Sylvia?" sung with such charm and ■beauty of tone. A feature of additional interest is the inclusion of "Die Liebe Hat Gelogen" on tho reverse side, a beautiful little song that is not so well known as it deserves. Jean Leiisen. (1) "The Clock is Playing" (Blaauw); (2) "Chanson Bohemienno" (Boldi). Played by Jean Lensen and his Orchestra. This little orchestra has really recorded a further selection of their most successful items, and a collection without a Jean Lensen record has still a very important type of number to be added to it. '' The Clock" is indeed one of the finest numbers yet, and the descriptive effects are introduced with a most refreshing originality. ; ■ Remarkable Disc. The latest record by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra is remarkable. It is sensational, in fact. It consists of an orchestral transcription of the famous Bach "Toccata and ITugue in D Minor." It is the reproduction of tho huge and porfectly drilled orchestra which makes this record so astonish.ing; the brilliant orchestration is shown off to the fullest advantage; the effect of "spacious realism" is achieved unlike anything that has ever been done before. Music-lovers will be elated to hear that Cesar Franck's "Symphony in D Minor," played by the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra, under their famous conductor, Leopold Stokowski, will 1)0 issued at an early date. This is the only symphony we have from this composer. It was written in 1889, one of it's chief characteristics being the introduction of the principal theme into all the movements. Fraser Gange. (1) "The Little Irish Girl"; (2) "Nancy Lee." (1) "Annie Laurie"; (2) "Lassie 0' Mine." Sung by Fraser, Gange, baritone. Eraser Gauge's recent tour throughout tho Dominion established without any shadow of doubt this splendid- baritone's enthusiastic popularity. / As will be remembered, his rendering of popular ballads was one of the most successfully received portions of his repertoire. "The two discs under review are splendid re-re-cordings of these four ever-popular airs, .and it is difficult to pick between them.. We leave it to personal preference. (1) "Goodbye" (Tosti); (2) "Waltz Song from Tom Jones"' (Gorman). Sung by Madame Elsa Stralia, soprano. It is a long time since Elsa Stralia, of tho flute-like voice and appealing delivery, was heard on the gramophone. With the new recording, she sounds far better than ever before. She strikes some really thrilling notes in Tosti's famous "Goodbye," holding a top "C" | for a phenomenal length of time. Madame Stralia's production of headnotes is almost faultless, and a sheer joy to, hear. In Demand.' Month by month in the lists of records issued by tho various gramophone companies the proportion of jazz in relation to high-class music steadily grows less. Dance records are always sure of popularity, as the gramophone is so largely used for the small-and-early informal dances, but the demand is ever growing for what is known as "classical music." In the past few months alone, one. company has issued records of Bach, both on the organ and the piano. Beethoven, excerpts from "Die Walkure," the before-mentioned Schubert,. Brahms, Mendelssohn, Haydn, Schumann, Tschaikovsky; and contrary to the popular fallacy, it is amongst these records that the "best sellers" of the gramophone world arc-to be found. (1) "Ka Mate"; (2) "Hine E Hme." (1) "Whaka Ariki" (Hill); (2) E Para Ra. (1) "He Waiata Aroha" (Hill); (2) "Titi Torea" (Hill). Sung in English and Maori by Ernest M'Kinley, tenor. In spite of the excellent work produced by the recording work produced by the recording companies—it has never been bettor—tho sensation of the musical, month for New Zealanders should be1 the magnificent scries of Now Zealand record. Ernest M'Kinley, who sings them, is well known in this country, of which he i.s a native. At present, lie ia principal tenor to the Westminster Glee Singers, now touring Canada. Mo lias

a warm and colourful voice, and a fine sense of the dramatic. Some of his recordings are almost electric, particularly the great "Ka Mate" with its rousing haca. Just as stirring is "Whaka Ariki," from Alfred Hill's well-known Maori opera, "Tapu." Sea Chanties. Tho popularity of Sir. John Goss's "Sea Chanties" is well established. He will give us still a further addition to tho series. His latest record, in which he is -accompanied by tho Cathedral Male Voice Quartet, har exactly the same gusto and heartiness that makes all his performances so pleasing. Two of the songs—there are four on the record—"Biow tho Man Down," "Tom's Gone to Hilo," "Lowlands," and "Highland Laddie" —arc not quite in- the same category, but the record has an irresistible atmosphere of the open air. These will be here shortly. (1) "Le Cygno" (Saint-Saens); (2) "Salut d'Amour" (Elgar). Organ solos by G. T. Pattman. Pattman can always be relied upon to provide good discs, and this month his offering is no exception to the rule. The melodious "Salut d'Amour" sounds truly what it is—one of Elgar's gems—in stead of a hackneyed tune. The tone is rich and sonorous and Pattman 's registration exceptionally clear. "Monty Attends a Board Meeting.'' Monologue in Two Parts, by Milton Hayes. This is .Monty back in his old form. To tell the truth he has been a bit below par lately, but easily makes amends by this rollicking nonsense. He is Monty at his best —and no higher praise can be given to this sort of record. (1) "Serenade —Nocturne" (Abt); (2) ''Contredance — Russian Snugs." Sung by the Kedroff Male Quartette. The magnificent matching of timbre in each of these vocalists' voices is equalled only by their magnificent balance of tone. The most delightful ease is observable in both of these num bers and one can almost feol the enthusiasm they each seem to feel for the splendid harmonies they produce. Those who possess Don Cossack records are sure to revel in these two items. v (1) "Springtime" (Newton); (2) "At Love's Beginning" (Lehmann). Duets by Dora Lal/retto and Norman Allin. Both of these artists have considerable reputations in solo, and in harmony they are indeed well worth hearing. Both duets are really well sung, and the recording is particularly good. The second number, "Love's Beginning," is perhaps the more artistic recording, and is certainly a more musicianly effort than is Newton's setting to' "Springtime." (1) "Killarney" (Balfo); (2) "Come Into tho Garden Maucl" (Balfc). Played, by the J. H. Squire Celeste Octet. Hero are two very, very old friends,but the freshness of their settings prove that in capablo hands these two airs are by no means hackneyed. . The unusual quality of Celeste's stringed notes invite even several rcplayings of this same record. Those who are not familiar with this instrument's particular charm should make a point of hoaring this disc. A 'recent selection of jazz numbers by this splendid dance orchestra include some of tho finest adaptations of well-known airs yet originated by this versatile "King of Jaz." His syncopated version of the familiar "Merry Widow" Waltz is paired with "My Hero" from tho "Chocolate Sob dier" —brought well up-to-date. "Constantinople' 'is another item that will set toes tripping, and its ingenious introduction of trap effects is well worth hearing.