RECORDED MUSIC

Evening Star, Issue 22514, 5 December 1936, Page 5

RECORDED MUSIC

I ■;'"■■ ■ '■ [By Ebato.] Pride of place in the December supplement unquestionably goes to Toscanini and the Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York for an exquisite performance of the Prelude to Act 1 of 'Lohengrin.' Toscanini is the world's greatest conductor, and his reading of this imperishable work is genuinely moving. The poetic meaning of the wonderful prelude •is sensitively suggested in a masterpiece of orchestral colouring. The great crescendo of the prelude, with its central climax and long diminuendo, is a sheer delight. This is a, performance that should be added $0 the library of every discriminating musician. There is another Wagnerian representation in this month's releases—Kirsten Flagstad singing Isolde's Death Song from 'Tristan and Isolde.' This is the final gloom of the opera "Isolde's great apotheosis of love, longing, and grief that she sings over the body of her dead lover. It is an arresting performance we hear from Flagstad, one that admirably sustains the reputation she achieved with that singularly electrifying recording of Brunhilde's ' Battle Cry.' She sings with fire and intensity land with great power.

The Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, under the dynamic young Eugene Ormandy, contributes an engaging interpretation of the overture to ‘ The Gypsy Baron,’ one of Johann Strauss’s most successful operettas. Its bold melodies and rhythms are clearly and vividly defined. The Boston Promenade Orchestra, conducted by Arthur Fiedler, plays the * Meditation ’ from Massenet’s ‘ Thais,’ which is notable for its brilliant violin soloj and the Handel ‘ Largo,’ the flowing beauty of which is beautifully sustained. The Light Symphony Orchestra has recorded Elgar’s ‘ Like to the Damask Rose ’ and ‘ Queen Mary’s Song,’ both of which are arranged and conducted by Haydn Wood. These are most agreeable little sketches.

In the vocal list Elisabeth Schumann gives two charming performances of ‘ Sleeping Child Jesus ’ (Schlafendea Jesuskind) and 1 Joseph’s Song ’ (Der Heilige Josef Singt), by Hugo Wolf. Schumann is in the front rank of the groat sopranos of the world, particularly in lieder and her© her captivating voice and style are admirably set. These lovely Christmas songs are most expressive in their delicacy. John M‘Cormack, almost as consistent in his contributions as Peter Dawson, • sings ‘Little Child Mary’ (from the negro spiritual ‘ De New Born Baby,’ by Burleigh) and ‘ Oh, Gathering Clouds (arr. Bain) with the simplicity and charm that invariably characterise his work. Miliza Korjus, that brilliant young coloratura, who has now made a succession of arresting records, is heard in a vocal arrangement by Seidler-Winkler of two of the best known Chopin nocturnes, E Flat and G Minor. It is_ the first time w© have heard Korjus in a reflective and dreamy mood, and both are studies of unusual interest.