GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 June 1927, Page 3

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

■ THE LATEST RECORDS. The Best “Pagliacci” Prologue Yet. Laurence Tibbetts does not sound a Very promising name in a world of grand opera inhabited mostly by Italian singers, or singers with conveniently substituted Italian names —the old story, you know, of the prophet in his own country. But Tibbetts, beyond all doubt, is one of the greatest baritones who have yet recorded for His Master’s Voice. In his first disc we are given the much-recorded “Prologue” from Leoncavallo’s “I Pagliacci,” complete with the long orchestral opening. Tibbetts has a wonderful reserve of vocal strength, his voice has a fine resonant quality, and there is no doubt about his interpretative powers. Both singer and orchestra are splendidly recorded. This, eminently, is a disc to possess, and boast about. This record was mentioned in a former note, but deserves a fuller and more adequate praise.

John McCormack Again. “Just a Cottage Small” (Hanley) and “Mother, My Dear” (Trebarne). John McCormack, tenor. “Just a Cottage Small” is extremely popular just now, whilst its companion is a “mother” song of exceptionally appealing character. The records are notable for the clear reproduction of McCormack’s voice and for the attractive orchestral accompaniment by the Salon Orchestra. Bagpipe Records.

“March,” “Strathspey,” “Reel,” “March” —Massed Pipe Bands. An inquirer recently expressed some difficulty in procuring suitable pipe music for Highland dancing. This record is eminently suitable for the purpose, as the concerted volume of the massed pipers results in a terrific gust of exhilarating music. For open-air dancing it should be • very popular amongst our Scottish friends.

After Many Moons. “Concert-Piece” (Op. 98 —finale). Hofmann—“Concertino” (Op. 107), Chaminade. John Amadio, flautist. It is many moons since we have had a flute rendering. Though we are more accustomed to regard the flute as an essential member of every orchestra. rather than as a solo instrument, the instrument has its great players in much the same way that the violin and piano have theirs. John Amadio is one of the greatest virtuosi of the flute, and the record which he has made should prove very attractive, both by reason of its novelty and its charming subject matter. The rich tone of the lower register (reminiscent of the chalumeau of the clarinet), together with its exceptional agility, are particularly in evidence in this record.

A Great English Tenor. “O Mimi, tu pui ton torn!” (“La Boheme”) —“Solenne in quest ‘ora” (“La Forza del Destino”); Joseph Hislop and Granforte. One of the musical events of the future will be the visit to New Zealand of the famous English tenor Joseph Hislop, who, strangely enough, is better known in Europe than even in his native country. No definite date has been announced so far for his recitals in this country. The Hislop list in the catalogue is not very lqj-ge, due to the fact of this singer’s frequent absences on the Continent. Quite recently, we had a magnificent duet bracket in which Hislop was associated with Apollo Granforte in duets'

from “La Boheme” and “La Forza del Destino.” A New Tenor. “Maire, My Girl” (Aitken) —“For You Alone.” Tenor, John Turner. Turner is one of the latest acquisitions to the list pf recording artists. He has a delightful voice of true tenor quality, and a Simplicity of style which is very appealing. These two numbers make a charming addition to one’s vocal collection. The former, it may be remembered, was recorded years ago by John McCormack, while the latter, which is from “The Lily of Killarney,” was the first recording whiph the late Enrico Caruso did in English. One wonders whether that disc is now procurable —it was one of the old single siders. 1 Two Tenor Songs. “At Dawning” (Cadman) —“At the Mid-Hour of Night” (Cowen). These are two 'perfectly charming songs,...and as sung by the favourite tenor, Sydney Coltham make a bracket well worth adding to one’s song collection.