RECORDED MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 19616, 23 July 1927, Page 18

RECORDED MUSIC

[Written by Philip J. B. Mabchant, for the ‘ Evening Star.’] LATEST DANCE RECORDS. HA. 125: ‘ln a Little Spanish Town ’ (waltz!, ‘ There’s a Boatman on tho Volga,’ played by Paul Whiteman and his orchestra. This number was released about a month ago, owing to the great 'demand for the recorded versions of ‘ln a Little Spanish Town,’ but it now appears for th.o_ first time in tho July list issued by His Master’s Voice. On E.A. 149 wo have the organ version of ‘ln a Little Spanish Town,’ beautifully played by Jessie Crawford. This number is coupled with ‘ Just a Bird’s Eye View of My Old Kentucky Home.’ These two records are among the best sellers for the present quarter, and are well worth the attention of all lovers of light music. A fortnight or so ago in my notes on Beethoven I dismissed one of his most popular compositions, the overture to ‘Egmont.’ At the time of writing there was, unfortunately, no electrically-recorded version, so I advised Gramophiles to wait a little while until the new issue arrived. This overture is now obtainable, superbly recorded and interpreted by the Victor Orchestra, under the baton of_ Josef Pasternack, who is musical adviser to the Victor Company, the American branch of His Master’s Voice. The record is obtainable at tho low price of 7s (id, and should be in every collection of records whether the taste of the owner is for classical or light music. Tho number is E.B. 8, and so far has not appeared in any of His Master’s Voice monthly lists. The evergreen ‘ Blue Danube ’ (Strauss) has never been better_ recorded than on E.D. 2, a twelve-inch Black Label record, which costs 10s. The reason for the high price is because the waltz is played by the Philadelphia Orchestra, under Stowoski, all of whoso interpretations on His Master’s Voice are 10s a record. THE AUGUST BECOBDS, Instrument used. His Master’s \oice portable gramophone. Fibre and steel needles. H.M.V.. D.B. 997-8-9-1,000 (four twelve-inch records in album), Kreisler and the State Opera House Orchestra, Berlin, conducted by Dr Leo Blech. ‘Concerto in C Minor,’ for violin and orchestra (Mendelssohn); and ‘A May Breeze,’ from ‘Songs Without Words’ (Mendelssohn), ar-

ranged Kreisler. There is maturity and strength in this rendering of the concerto. Some may prefer a more silky and suave tone than Kreisler gives us. hut these splendid records are hound to remain the standard rendering of what must he the finest concerto for the violin which has been written since Beethoven.

Tho andante is the finest piece of violin recording I have yet heard, and those who do not. care to spend £2 10s on the* complete work will find the andanto movement on D.B. 1,156 well worth the money. The arrangement, ‘A May Breeze,’ on tho odd side of record four, is another of those delightful little pieces which Kreisler has been supplying his admirers with during the last year, and makes a good “fill up’’ for the extra side.

The next big work which we may expect from Kreisler shortly is tho Beethoven ‘ Concerto for Violin and Orchestra.’ This has been spoken of very highly by the English critics, and is eagerly awaited in New Zealand. Tho conductor of this and the concerto mentioned above is Dr Leo Blech, a new conductor to whom the Berlin Opera House Orchestra owes a great deal. Unfortunately in tho Mendelssohn concerto the orchestra is kept a little too far in the background, and thus tho balance is at times affected. However, the whole set reflects the gratest credit upon soloist, orchestra, conductor, and recording exports of the His Master’s Voice Company, who made the records from an actual performance in the Singakademie, Berlin.

]).A. 8-10: John M'C'onnaok—--1 When Twilight Comes I'm Thinking of You’ (Hoimo), ‘Calling Me Bark to You ’ (Seavcr). Two more trities which this tenor supplies his admirers with this month. Why not take a leaf out of Kreisler’s book and give us something worth listening to this month? _ Recording excellent. M'Corraack is such a wonderful artist that tho listener is almost of tho opinion that tho songs are great . . . until ho hears someone else singing them. D. 1,210: The Symphony Orchestra (conductor, Albert Coates)—Overture from ‘Prince Igor’ (12in black label. 10s). In two parts. Coates is at his best in music of this type. Ho has spent years in Russia, and has studied tho Russian music perhaps more than any other English conductor. This record is a good sample of modern orchestral recording, not quite clear in places, but, on the whole, a wonderful rendering. It will not do for the beginner in orchestral appreciation, however. ‘ Peer Gynt Suite,’ analysed in another place, is the set for tho average listener. D. 1,197; Sir Har*y Lauder—‘ I Love a Lassie,’ ‘ Doughio the Baker. (12iu record, black label. 10s). Lauder at his best. He might almost be in the room, so clear is the recording. _ The price is rather heavy considering the excellent records one can buy for 5s on Zouophono, not recorded by electricity, but quite good enough for nine out of ten persons. C. 1,303: ‘The Harmonious Blacksmith’ (Handel), ‘The Sunken Cathedral’ (Debussy), pianoforte solo by Mark Hamhourg. (12in plum label. Price 7s 6d), Under no consideration miss this record. It is another of those "wonderful records which have been reduced from 10s a piece to 7s 6d. The quality of playing and recording has increased and _ tho price places the disc well within the range of the average man, who is apt to jib at 10s for a record. The music is not in the least “ highbrow,” and the Handel tune is just a simple tune with variations.

GRAMOPHONE SOCIETY. The first meeting of the Dunedin Gramophone Society was held on Tuesday last in tho piano showroom of Messrs M'Cracken and Walls. There was a good attendance, and after Mr Marchant had briefly explained to the meeting the benefits to he derived from membership in such a society, it was decided to hold tho next meeting in tho Y.M.C.A. Building on Tuesday, July 26, at 7.30 p.m. At this meeting officers will be elected, and a musical programme is to follow. All gramophone enthusiasts are invited, and a large attendance is expected. Owing to lack of space the Beethoven notes and tho gramophone in schools notes are held till next week’s notes.