RECORDED MUSIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 287, 7 November 1925, Page 7

RECORDED MUSIC

THE WEEK’S' NEW RECORDS. The most remarkable records in tho His Master’s Voice latest London list (says a reviewer) are one or two" which seem to be- the first fruits of the new recording process announced some time ago. One is of the New Light Symphony Orchestra (conductor unnamed) playing the bridal song from Goldmark’s “Rustic Symphony” and Aioszkowski’s Spanish Dance, No announcement is made regarding the recording, bub tho difference is too marked to pass unnoticed. There is a brilliance of tone which other records have ijot yet attained, a depth and definition and sharpness of detail which arc constantly apparent. The songs of Roger Quilter have a pleasurable appeal to English cars, because of their English llavour and their tunefulness. Two characteristic Quilter numbers —“0 Alistress Mine” and “Fair House of Joy”—are included in the new budget of H.AI.V. reeurds just arrived. They are sung by Derek Oldham, whose pleasing tenor has been beard many times in H.AI.V. light opera records.

One turns with pleasurable anticipation at times when tho gymnastics of violin technique involved in the presentation of virtuoso compositions to simple melodies played by a skilled musician. This is the feeling one experiences when listening to Cedric Sharpe’s eloquent playing ol tile old Irish song, “Believe me, if all those endearing young charms,” and Elgar’s melodious “Rosemary.” Una Bourne plays Greig's music exceedingly well. One of her best pianoforte numbers in previous recordings was the composer’s “To Spring/’ though it is doubtful whether that record is now in local stocks. In the latest budget of arrivals she gives us a Greig double- disc, wherein she has recorded delightfully two pieces from the composer's “Lyrische Stuckchcn” (Op. 12)—-a “Wnltzer’ (No. 6) and a “Volksweise” (No. J). On the reverse side of the disc is the “Wedding Day” (Op. (id, No. 0). A Paul Whiteman novelty is amongst the newly-arrived records —a “Suite of (serenades” (Victor Herbert), played by Ills concert orchestra. The suite includes Spanish, Cuban, Chinese and Oriental numbers, each of them characteristic. and all ol them very enjoyable. The playing, ol course, is first rate.

A new baritone to H.AI.V. listeners , is Cyril Newton, who, we arc" inforined, is well known as the leader of the Savoy Havana Band. His is a pleasing voice, nicely suited to such not too . pretentious offerings as “Do You tte- > member tlm Love Nest?” and “Back in Hackensack, New Jersey.” The titles give one u very fair idea of what to expect. A recent musical course, attended by between sixty and seventy school , teachers, given at the Royal College of Alusie, South Kensington, London, in which eight out. of the- forty lectures were illustrated by gramophone records, indicates that the education authorities are daily becoming more alive to the claims of the gramophone as an important item of the school curriculum. The gramophone is t-hfi only practicable medium for teaching music on a large scale in schools. Visiting masters are all very well, but they lepresent only their own branches ol the art, whereas the gramophone embraces all. Would-be singers can learn how to make the most of their voices, and those interested in orchestral music can revel in. the many line symphonies that are in the catalogues ol the recording companies. Alost classical music has a definite educational value, hut much of it is far too complex to he understood by the lay mind. It is probable, therefore, that when the teaching of it in. schools becomes general. the gramophone companies will cater specially for school requirements. The H.AIIY. Company (says a London reviewer) appears to be leaving us a good deal in tho dark with regard to their new electrical* process ol recording. Examples are being tried out here and there, and the public are left to discover for themselves exactly what advance has been made, with nothing more than their ears to guide them. It is sal’.; to hazard the guess, however, that a record just made by the New Light Symphony Orchestra of Aioszkowski’s “ALalaguena” and the intermezzo from Goldmark’s “Rustic Wedding Symphony,” is one of the new reproductions. How else could it have achieved its hundred-per-cent, superiority over all previous orchestral recordings? These two numbers provide a surprise of the first order. 11 with a light orchestra such effect can be achieved, then, indeed, we can be optimistic with regard to the heavier combinations. In the intermezzo the music is packed lull of contrasting colour. There are delicate pianissimos and splendid crescendos, and the identity of die individual instruments is much. 1 more clearly established than ever before. In the climax of the music one can actually bear the our" —the actual notes —of the tympnni, instead of the toneless “thud” of yore. The volume, too, is considerably increased, and, although this ol itself would count for nothing, in the particular instance under consideration it emphasises the wealth of contrast in the recording. The Aloszkowski. dance is equally fine, the tone of the buss strings, for example, standing out with a body and resonance hitherto almost completely absent. The record can be interesting compared with the “Alarriage of Figaro” Overture and the minuet and trio “.Divertimento” (Alozart), which come 1 com the Albert Hall Orchestra under Landon Ronald. Considered in the light of previous standards, this is a finely reproduced and well performed effort, but it facies into insignificance before the admittedly poorer music but wonderful recording of the New Light Symphony Orchestra. One assumes, of course, that tho Albert Hall Orchestra record is “old process.” The new budget- of records includes one humorous disc by Frank Crunit, who presents, with ukelele and pianoforto accompaniment, “Knock at the Door” and “Got Yourself’ a Broom and Sweep Your Troubles Away.” Sonic of the now gramophones are fitted with tiny spirit levels, a reminder that wo are not always kind to our gramophones when wo carry them out to garden or verandah and set them on an uneven surface. A carrying case for records is a worth while investment for a gramophone’ which r e out of doors; it keeps the discs . a r, and by storing thorn flat prev .. arping—and if loft lying about i: untight they will warp ' pretty q> My. A great deal may lie written about record storage, but when kept flat in their envelopes and as free from dust as possible, they will keep in very good order. A warped record can be straightened by being set towards tile, base of the pile, which should never be allowed to exceed a dozen records, as their weight is considerable. As to labelling them, a simple method is to use on each envelope a tab of the gummed linen tape sold in convenient rolls. This holds firmly, and’tho title, written clearly, can be scon without tho need of disturbing the records from their piles-