Music from the Disc

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 10, 12 January 1929, Page 22

Music from the Disc

Strauss Waltz. In these clays of heated arguments about the relative valuo oil "jazz" the very term "datico musics"' lius f&lleu rather into bud odoun NuvcrfluelosSj dunce music still includes such lovely old pieces as tho Strausa vvaltzes, ami .Rachmaninoff ia committing no s.'ierilego to hia own reputation by playing tor Ills latest record ;i'transcription .of the famous old Strauss waltz, "One Lives But Once." .It is it brilliant record. ltaehnianinoQi's peculiarities of technique are very sympathetic! to the recording apparatus A number of capital orchestral records is now being'published. Hi fact, ' for balance, tone, ' intei'protation, and beauty.of music it is extremely difficult to liud fault with any of tlieiii. However, few give moi'o satisfaction in detail and teiturc than Leo Bleeh and tho London Symphony Orchestra in Schubert's "Symphony iii C Major." Bleeh captures the right note of l'oniance, and the hoi'n playing is admirable. For music, bound together with a cony prehensive musical stylo, this sot of records would be difficult to surpass. Eric Coates is a popular composer with several of the most eminent tenors of the clay, and 'deservedly so, for few song writers hold a better balance between melody and words. England today has' several gong Writers who are greater than most people imagine, and Coates is one of them. Two characteristic gems, "Little Lady of the Moon" and "Bird Soiiga of Eventide" are .sung with beautiful lyi-iu expression by Sydney , Colthatm This tenor has made admirable uso of the half voice, and his interpretations aretfull of pleasing contrasts. Hero is a popular; English concert performer'at his best, 1 and that is saying a great deal Hits from "Hit the Deck." "Hit the Deck," selection; in two parts. London Hippodrome Orchestra, conducted by J. Tunbridge. "Hit the Dock," vocal modley, in two parts'; London Hippodrome Artists and Chorus with Kit-Cat Band. Here are ths original artists that whirled "Hit the Deck" into fame.' These two discs will bo Welcome as means Of comparison between artists of' the local presentation and the original performers —Miss Ivy Treamand, Stanley Holloway, The Barry Twins, the Prince Bisters, and the Hippodrome Chohis. Brilliant performances, both the vocal and the orchestral fantasias, and these two records offer tllo vdfy oi'eaui of i\\\i most attractive musical play. Happy Music. The orchestra of C'ovent Garden-hits a glorious romp in Balfour Gardiner's "Shepherd?s Fennel's,-: : Dance," 'and cJveryono will, cherish the gay, roniiniscehceof Hardy's Wossex folk at play. Power to the music never dims its sweetness and grace, but the piece is given with polish and artistic control that tho happy work asks for. The Tehaikowsky pieco on tho other side, "Sleeping Beauty Panorama," is played with colour and musicianship that is unchallengeable.

Two Strauss Waltees. (1) "Artists' Life" (waltz); (2) "Talcs from the Vienna Woods." Johann Strauss and Symphony Orchestra. The works of a famous composer interpreted by his famous Hon. Johann Strauss has secured tho true Viennese Spirit'in tho rich tones of liis orchestra ill these two rendering of his father's works. As might bo expected, tho conductor has tho full senso of understanding, and has created a reulness of atmospheiro that makes these two items a sheer delight. "The Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool was crowded in ovcry part, and tho Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra roused tho stateliest audience in England Xo almost indecorous demonstrations of rapture," states N.C. in the "Manchester Guardian" when writing of a performance by this great orchestra. "In the interval we heard involuntary oxprosj sions of admiration, mingled with chagrin that in England we cannot oxpect more than oiice in- a lifetime to hear an orchestra at all comparable with this orchestra from.. Berlin." One can imagine this enthusiasm after hearing the recorded performance of "Carnival ] Eomain" (Berlioz). Every note is en-' i'dowed with the life-giving touch of music. The playing is remarkable for its flexibility and warmth of stylo, and the many colours and contrasts so bolived by Berlioz find artistic expression.

POr Organ Lovers. . , , I "Light Cavalry Overture'" (Huppc). i Organ solo by Qucntin M. Maclean. In I two parts. One of the most brilliant performances of this celebrated organ- | ist of Shepherd's Pavilion, London. | Effective registration is shown in this Organ solo, particularly in the opening, whilst the closing portions arc exhilarating in tho extreme. This record is one of the most perfect of organ recording that I havo listened to, and its appeal is very wide to organ lovers. "The Eeal Guy;" "Domestic Blisters." Talking by Billy Bennett. Billy Bennett holds . a placo of honour amongst comedians. For the two comics described ,as just "talking," these items will take some .equalling and evoryone nowadays is searching for real humorous records. Billy Bennett puts individuality into his work, his humour is broad, but ably disguised in subtlety. The recording. is good, doing full . justice to this comedian's clearness of speech.. As he would say himself, this record "delivers the goods'." , .'"'■■

There is plenty of swagger in Sir Harry Lauder'g new song, "The Pirate," which is amongst this month's releases., Sir Harry can always paint a vivid as well as an amusing picture, and he is an artist even to the roll of his "r's." "Just got off the Chain" tells of the joys of a henpecked husband whose wife has just broken her leg. The singer certainly celebrates the •occasion. Both songs are Sir Harry's own composition. Chauve-Souris—"A Russian Barcarolle," Mmes. Birse and Ershova, Mm. 'DedovitclT and Shovtchcnko; (2) "Bound tho Hay Wain," Chauve Souris Company with the Vaudeville Tlieatre Orchestra. Two Russian^ recordings of truly welcome voices—the "Barcarolle" marks the singers as fine artists; tho tone of their voices iv the deeper notes and the purity or 1 the higher notes are real pleasure. The recordings were made in the Vaudeville Theatre, London, the conductor of the orchestra being Mr. Skogan.

I The virtuoso String Quartet gives a j sharp-set, pungent, and yet pleasantly sentimental performance of "Quartet in G Minor" (Debussy). Naturally this work is little known in New Zealand, but it is one of the French composer's greatest inspirations. The finest and most delicate,tones are clearly N defined, and these players lack nothing in. polish. On the spare s'de is a movement from Mendelssohn's '/Quartet in E Flat," Which is given a'suave reading.

(1) "Kathleen fttavourneen"; (2) "Oft in the Stilly Mght." Sung by Alfred o 'Shea, tenor. 0 'Shea, whoso visit to this country some months ago roused considerable enthusiasm, has recorded many beautiful things, but none so acceptable aa his Irish ballads. He sings the. old favourite "Kathleen Mavourneen" with -great charm. "This Australian tenor has a really beautiful voice, which', he uses with great taste. On the reverse side is a. pleasing old ballad, "Oft in. the Stilly Night,"

sung vci'y expressively aiid with great sympathy. Another Suppo overture, "The Bcuutifiil Galathea/' played by the Berlin State Oi'iihdstl-a under Ei'iiest Viebig, is amongst the latest releases. ,'This Is the fund of music that leaves little to argument. Its ' rhythm ami accent seems lo put an end to diseussiom The orchestra gives a weil-balanccd performance, with Ox'celleht tonal ((utilities. ' ■ , ■ (1) "There's Soiiicthiiir' Spanish hi My Eyes," (2) "He's. Tall, Dark," With Tod Shapii'O and his orchestra. This month the inimitable Sophie has made a ; brilliant feoord which is Sure of extraordinarypopularity. Her really fasciiiatiilg personality ■ and original style have made her easily the World's best singer of jazz songs. Her.cross talk with Ted Shapiro is fine comedy, and the accompaniment by Shapiro's orchestra is novel and full of fine harmony. This record of these two London ''hits" is without doubt her best disc yet. .It seems incredible that Brahms Violin Concerto should be recorded now for the first time, having regard to its importance in musical literature; yet.such seems to be the ease. If the delay is due to the fact that the company held their hand until Kfeisler could be the soloist, that would explain matters,' for there is none quite like Kreisler in a work of this calibre and quality. The concerto is recorded complete, and the very effective cadenza towards .the close of the opening movement is by Kreisler himself. The Berlin State Opera Orchestra, under Dr. Blech, have, as, it were, "assisted" in tho making of a very remarkable album of five double discs.

(1) 'On Wings of Song" (Mendcls- | sohn); (2) "Avc Maria" (Bach-Gou-nod). Played by the J. IF. Squiro Colesto Octet. Tho popular J. 11. Squire Octet give their best in two fine numbers by Mondelssohu and Bach, both numbers illustrate the secret of this orchestra's sucfiess —their ability to : arrange good music to suit their own j combination. The Mendelssohn is a . trifle sugary; very pleasing on a first , hearing, but one that should not be played too often. They are touch; more subtle in the familiar Bach-Gounod I pieco. The Squirt Octet lias just fln-' isliod a very successful tour of Italy, and this record is ahip'lo evidence that they have thoroughly deserved their success. The band Of tlio Coldstreunr Guards, under LioUtenant 11, G. Evans, hus grouped three pieces by the Fronch composer Oliamiuade on Its • current offering. The ilumbors are "Air do Ballet," "Callishoe," and "Pas dcs Cymbalos." They provide sharp contrasts, and something out of the iigtfal for English bandSi Howevor, {lie Guards enter into tho spirit of the compositions, and the "Pfts de CymbaW i* pl&yed with animated and a swinging rhythm. (1) "Uluwcln 0 Kaala" (Kanehomauoie), (2) "Good-b/c, Hawaii" (Mei'ton H. Borics)i Norman Clark and his South Bda Islanders. This most popular company scores a certain favourite in those two well-knowu and always enjoyablo Bongs. Vocal refrains accompany the swcet*toned Hawaiian guitars in both items, and all the haunting beauties of those plaintive in-' stfuments aro admirably !-ught in process of recording. Norman Clark's onsomblo holds a more or less unique position in tho world's favour, and this is .undoubtedly due to each member's individual mastery of the national instrument. Beethoven's nine symphonies are of deathless magnificence. We are told that tho penultimate movement of! the

Ninth Symphony surpasses the possibilities of artistic expansion. Tho subject is humanity itself, with its sufferings and ideals, and here instrumental music speaks her last possible word. There can bo nothing better, nothing higher, nothing beyond. "Only attempt further," says Wagner, "is but progress backward. ..The symphony has infinite sublimity and dramatic power that 'surpasses all, other human emotions— emotions which very few on this earth havo experienced, let alone expressed. Hero Is solemnity, breadth; and magniloquence—allied to gorgeous . colour. Thus the task set Albert Coates and the Symphony Orchestra, in presenting an ■adequate recording of this immortal work was tremendous, ' but . they seemed lo have . boon inspired by the occasion. The records are notable for tlicil" loveliness of expression, and the four soloists, Edna Thornton, Nellie \Valker, Webster, and George Baker, who take part in tho choral movement, have realised the greatness'of 1 the occa-

sion. Tho whole performance Is au exalted one, and Albert Coates's en-' thusiasm and musical scholarship will not go unrewarded by the gratitude of music-lovers tho world over. "II Trovatore" (Verdi) —Selection. Percy Pitt conducting the 8.8.C. Wireless Symphony Orchestra. Tho re-re-cording of some of old favourites by tho electric process gives Us a chance to make Comparisons very flattering to the new 'record. In this "II .Trovatoro" selection, for example, tho whole tone of tho orchestra is brighter and clearer, greater voltimo is secured' with less distortion,' and. every instrument h;is an equal chance of coining through. Tho strings are much swufeter and: tlfo brass is less inclined to blaro. Porcy Pitt conducts with authority'and a nice senso.of melody, as becomes a former chief, of Covetifc Garden. .