RECORDED MUSIC

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1927, Page 3 (Supplement)

RECORDED MUSIC

THE DON COSSACKS AGAIN. Recordings of the celebrated Don Cossacks Choir are always interesting, particularly when their undoubted abilities are tested by such excellent material. Their interpretation of an old Russian folk-song, “Monotonously ; Rings the Little Bell,” is a rare mus-< ical treat. The bizarre persistence on a single treble note is saved from lack of colour by the skilfully blended accompaniment of the deeper tenors and basses. The vocalization is remarkable, and, one imagines, very accurately recorded. On the other side of the same Columbia Record is the well-known “Song of the Volga Boatmen,” too familiar to need much comment. As

i one expects from such a thoughtful choir, their rendering reveals new beauties in this piece. Columbia No. 9085—“ Song of the Volga Boatmen,” “Monotonously Rings the Little Bell. ”, Another brilliant recording by the same choir contains two .numbers which though of remarkably subtle voice texture, will be easily appreciated by anyone with an ear for pleasant harmony. Both numbers are more dramatic than pretty, “The,Road to St. Petersburg” especially asking from its listeners an appreciation of the motive«of the song: but neither can fail to impress by reason of its sheer vocal beauties, and the skilful arrangement of the voice parts. ' This record should be heard again ami ' again.

Columbia No. 9155. —“The Twelve Robbers,” “On the Road to St. Petersburg,” The Don Cossacks Choir.

FROM SERBIA AND ITALY. Amongst the lighter numbers issued by Columbia is one of particular interest, a recording by the Royal Serbian Tambouritza Orchestra. Following the recent visit of the Orchestra to Great Britain, and coinciding with the awakening of a musical consciencencss in Serbia, this record has enjoyed a great vogue in London and elsewhere. It embodies the two well-known Sorbian folk-songs in the form of a waltz, lively and tuneful, which will appeal for different reasons to alftclasses of music lovers. On the other side of the same record the same scheme has been adopted to introduce familian Italian melodics to British audiences, and here La Nouva Orchestra have been just as successful in producing a fox-trot at once effective and gay, and redolent of the music best known to the Italian “man-in-the-street. ” This record should be very popular.

Columbia No. 3066 — “Kossova Waltz,” Royal Serbian Tambouritza Orchestra; “Italian Foxtrot, Di Napoli,” La Nouva Orchestra. FOUR REMARKABLE CORNET SOLOS. Critical London audiences have paid Corporal West, of the Grenadier G.uards,

thh high compliment of showing a marked preference for the cornet solos which have been a feature of the Guards’ performances, and this popularity has induced Columbia to give them special recordings. These records have enjoyed a great and deserved success. All four solos are well known, particularly the favourite “Softly Awakes My Heart,” from Saint-Saen’s opera “Samson and Delilah,” and they arc all rendered with intelligence and taste. Both these records will be •welcomed by a large public. Cornet Solos by Corporal West (H.M. Grenadier Guards). —Columbia No. 4028, “Softly Awakes My Heart,” “D Bacio,” Columbia No. 4029, “Cavalry of the Clouds,” “Dawn of Freedom.” MORE MARCHES FROM THE GRENADIER GUARDS. The amazing versatility of the new Columbia electric recording process is never more clearly shown than by its fidelity in recording a full military band. The ever-popular “March of the Mountain Gnomes,” as interpreted by the band of H.M. Grenadier Guards presents a problem in recording to which not other process could do full justice. The result is delightful. The essentially pictorial aspect of the piece is very intelligently brought out, the heightened tempo and the dramatic climax being particularly effective.

On .the other side of this record is a 1 lesser known but extremely interest- : ing work by the same composer, Eilcnberg. Columbia No. 3087, “March of the Mountain Gnomes,” “The Mill in the Black Forest,” Band of H.M. Grenadier Guards. STIRRING MILITARY MARCHES COLUMBIA FEATURES A FAMOUS FRENCH BAND. Unmistakably Gallic in their spirited vivacity are the two Columbia recordings of the Garde Republicaine. This regimental band is easily the most celebrated in France, and though Londoners have their own Guards ’ Bands, they arc always eager to welcome the Garde Republicaine. Though a military band naturally does not attempt music of the very highest flight, the gramaphone lover will find in these two tunes good stirring music of the sort that goes straight to the heart of everybody. “La Reve Passe,” in particular, a tune made famous and familiar in war time, will arouse tender memories among “diggers.” Columbia No. 2738, “La Rove Passe” (March); “Le Tout Paris,” (March); the Band of the Garde Republicaine.