RECORDED MUSIC

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 205, 13 August 1927, Page 10

RECORDED MUSIC

GEMS FROM LATEST “RAGES.” Tile latest musical comedy “rages” are undoubtedly “Tiptoes" and “Sunny,’’ each of which is at present having a great run in Australia One of the best musical comedy discs to hand recently presents on the one side vocal gems from “Tiptoes" and on the other gems from “Sunny” by the Light Opera Company. The singin" is excellent, all the best hits of each piece—and these are bv no means few—being presented with the right swing and tempo, accompanied by an excellent orchestra. The recording by H.M.V. (C 1293) is excellent. A FAMOUS SONATA. Frederic Lamond. one of the bestknown of British contemporary pianists, is accounted one of our finest interpreters of Beethoven's music for his instrument. As a recording artist he is perhaps not so effective as Moiseivitsch—playing for the recording appartus appears to be an art in itself, and is probably associated in some subtle wav with the player’s touch. The new electrical process has added greatly to his reproductive powers, as all who mav hear his latest recording of Beethoven’s famous “Moonlight” Sonato (in C sharp minor) will readily testify. It is a sterling performance, well recorded, and a worthy addition to one’s library of pianoforte discs (H.M.V. D 1140—1.) LAUDER’S GREATEST LAUGH. Most of the Lauder laughs come with the “patter” of the Lauder songs. His greatest laugh, however, is in that particular turn where it is all talk and no music—“Doughie and Baker,” a most amusing “Eternal Triangle” skit, the motif of which, however, is that if one must have rows in married life, there is much consolation in “making up again.” In this Sir Harry is in great form. (H.M.V. D 1197.) The reverse side has that famous song hit “I Love a Lassie.” A MUCH-DISCUSSED KREISLER Many people probably said when they saw the announcement recently that Kreisler had recorded a really classic number—the Beethoven Concerto in B minor—after a long series of musical trifles, that here at last was the real artist. Nevertheless, there has never been anything co well done in the recording of these so-called trifles as the disc on which he has impressed his own “Libeslied” and “Liebesfreud” (H.M.V, D 8985). Both are melodious, expressive of the sentiment of each (“Love’s Joy” and “Love's Sorrow’’ respectively), and played with rare delicacy of feeling, while the recording does ample Justice to the musician. WHERE IS JOHN McCORMACK? Those who have been listening to recent recordings from that mellifluous tenor singer of ballad music. John McCormack, must have asked themselves, remembering his previous successes in more ambitious flights, where exactly that artist stands, If the truth must be told. , McCormack is essentially and most convincingly a ballad singer, and nothing else. In grand opera he mav occasionally “fit in’ where a role suits his sentimental temperament, but one judges that he has realised his forte and made the most of it. Me have had quite a number of acceptable songs from him latelv. including three or four from recent musical comedy successes. “Just a Cottage Small,” which has been made into a fox-trot even, is one of these, and not at all a bad one On the reverse side is a typical McCormack ballad, “Mother. Mv Dear.” sung in the best McCormack style. (H.M.V. D 765). GOOD SONGS PRESERVED. The life of even a very good song from a modern song writer is not a very long one on the platform in these days of quick changes of popular fashions. For that reason one is the more grateful to the grainjphone for enabling one to revive and enjoy at pleasure our former delignu. One such song is “1 Passed By lour Window,” bv May Brake, which had a great vogue when it was first presented. One heard it everywhere, at concerts and in drawingrooms. I.’en it disappeared, practically ana its place was taken bv a succession of new “crazes ” Fortu. nately for those to whom the song had a real appeal, it has been embalmed on the disc. Ope of the best of the recordings is Walter Glynne's, whose artistic tenor is admirably suited to the sentiment and musical treatment of the theme. On the reverse side is that tine old favourite. “There is a Flower that Bloometh” A really good disc (H.M.V. 2429). HEIFETZ RECORDS. Jascha Heifetz, the famous violin virtuoso, who is now in New Zealand, has a tremendous list of H.M.V. recordings under his name—probably the largest list of any living musician —for he records perfectly Amongst his most recent impressions, under the new electrical process, are Debussy’s “La Plume que lente,” a delightful valse, to which is bracketed Coupenn’s “Little Windmill.” and Bach's “Minuets Nos. 1 and 2 (H.M.V. D. 8.945). His most recent recording, which mav be released early, on account of his visit—it is catalogued for the September issue —is Schubert’s “Ave Maria.” wonderfully played, ana a Schubert “Rondo” —a splendid disc (H.M.V. D B.1O47). INSTRUMENTAL TRIOS. There is always an audience for well-played instrumental trios. Some excellent work has been done recently by the H.M.V. Instrumental Trio under the new process. Amongst the latest discs ntay be mentioned “Autumn Song”—“Spring Song” (Mendelssohn). “Ave Maria” (Gounod) —“Ln. Serenata” (Braga” : and “Serenata’’ (Schubert)—“Serenade” (Op. 15—Moskowski). All these are more or less familiar, and very popular with a wide circle. The catalogue numbers respectively are. in the above order, H.M V. Clll3. 81500, Clll2 A “VOICE” FROM THE PAST. One can hardly call a violin a “voice.” but the term is used for convenience. lu the old days Marie Hall was one of the greatest amongst her contemporaries of the violinistic art. She is still quite effective, ns may be judged from her H.M.V. second “Cavatina” (Raff) .and “Moto Perpetuo” (Paganini). I). 777. For sentimmeut’s sake this disc should appeal to many of th" '