RECORDED MUSIC

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 203, 27 July 1929, Page 7

RECORDED MUSIC

• Brilliant Fiddling by Joseph Szigeti'.— Joseph. Szigeti, the young Hungarian violinist, gives an exhilarating performance on three sides of Tartini’s Sonata in G Major. It is an object lesson in broad phrasing and double-stopping. It is hardly a masterpiece, but so great are this artist’s powers that it seems possible to listen to it for ever and ever. Great technical domands aro overcome as if they didn't exist, and there romains tho joy over the purely musical eminence of this great violinist. Tho Beethoven is dashed off brilliantly. Shortly Coming to Now Zealand.—Music lovors will bo pleased to hear that Harold Williams, tho famous leading baritone of - the British. National Opera Company, will soon be touring New Zealand and his native Australia. His compatriot, the brilliant pianist, William Murdoch, will accompany him. It is interesting to recall, by tho way, that Williams played as a Warratah against tho All Blacks in pre-war days, and also appeared regularly for tho Wavcrley Cricket Club, Sydney, which has produced more of Australia’s famous cricketers than any other. In his latest record—to got back to musical matters—Harold Williams pairs Wagner’s “O Star of Eye” with Allitsen’s “The Lute Player.” His striking voice should be immensely popular here, for ho hides a fine poetic insight under a simple unaffected delivery. Clever Singing from the Trix Sisters. — Tho Trix Sisters, Josephino and Helen, have tho knack of taking the latest hits and making something entirely novel out of them. Daring harmonies and little tricks of accompaniment make their records quite out of the ordinary. Their latest is “Sweet Ukulclo Maid” and “Out of the Dawn.” Saxophone Solos.—Wiedoft, recognised as the foremost exponent of the instrument, plays a haunting Tchaikowsky “Mclodio” with great feeling, and pairs it with an equally ■ delightful “Serenade Badine” by Gabriel-Marie. Because the saxophone is often used for purpose .of humour wo are apt to forgot that it is really an instrument of beautiful tone and expressive powers. These appealing numbers are played with splendid effect, and are perfectly reproduced. The Grenadier Guards Band.—“ Merrie England” is deservedly a warm favourite, but Edward Gorman’s other comic operas are full of cheerful light-hearted tunes that must not bo overlooked. “A Princess of Kensington” for instance ... it ' has many .first-rate numbers beside tho “Four Jolly Sailor-men.” And here they are, delightfully recorded by the Grenadier Guards Band. The music has only to be heard to win tho popularity it deserves. By' the Dobroy Somers' Band.—The Debroy Siomers Band have long been famous among dance enthusiasts for the novelty of their arrangements and for their irresistible .senso of rhythm. This latest record is a double-sided medley of old and new waltz favourites entitled “Valso Memories,” which range from the old “Blue Danube” down to our present day “Charmaine.” This is a record that will interest many besides dance lovors. “Show Boat” and “01’ Man River.”— Paul Whiteman, with his Concert Orchestra, together with Paul Robeson and mixed chorus record, in “01’ Man River.” This number has easily proved to be the most popular in the Drury Lane success. On the other side of the record is a selection of vocal gems from the “Show Boat.” On another record we have “01’ Man River,” 6ung by the Revellers, the worldfamous male voioe quintet. On the reverse side Helen Morgan, the well-known comedienne, sings “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.” Miss Morgan is the owner of probably the most famous night club in New York, and recently appeared at the Cate Anglais in London.

1 Light Opera “Gems.”—Light Opera Company, in vocal gems from “Patience” (Part 3), and “Pirates of Penzance” (Part 3). This record still further enhances this excellent series. “When the Roeman bares his steel 1” from the “Pirates” is irresistible.

Sir Harry Lauder. —Sir Harry Lauder (comedian), in “The Lass of Kilhocrankie" ghd “That’s the Reason Noo I Wear a Kilt.” Another record by Lauder is always a welcome addition to one’s collection and this one is very fine indeed. A Very l ino Record.—A " very fine record by the Philadelphia Orchestra is the Bach Prelude in E Flat Minor, No. 8 of the immortal “48”. This has been transcribed for strings and harp, wood-wind and horns being introduced in the last four bars. It has gained _ by tho process, the sostenuto effect obtained being impossible on any piano. On tho reverse is a transcription lor orchestra of the chorale, “I Call Upon Thee, Jesus,” which also is beautifully done —the best of good taste being displayed in its treatment and reflected by the performers. Th.€6e two records should convert any waveror who has doubts as to his ability to appreciate Bach. A Good Tenor Disc. —Barrington Hooper (tenor)- with piano, in “My Dreams” (Tosti) .and “1 Hear You Calling Mo” (Marshall). Another good record. Fine songs by a really eminent singer. Good ■ Sea . Songs.—Foster Richardson (bass) with orchestra, in “Lads o’ Devon”

(Loughborough) and “Shipmates 'o’ Mino” (Sanderson). Good old 6ongs of tho sea, into which Foster Richardson, with his tremendous deep voice, gets a really maritime broeziness. Yodelling.—Jimmy Rodgers, who accompanies himself on the guitar, sings “My Little Old Homo Down in Now Orleans” and “Treasure untold” introducing yodelling into the choruses —musical yodelling. iianjo and Mandolin.—Tho banjo has found an artistic exponent in Mario de Pietro,' wlio on a record just to hand gives us “Frivolous Joe,” a merry piece of his own composition. On tho ot.h,er sido de Pietro plays “Concert Mazurka, Op. 126" (R. Calose) on the mandolin. The tono of theso instruments is unusually good and a revelation to those accustomed to the ordinary vaudeville turns. Carillon- Records. —It is a pleasure to note tho great improvement in the quality of the carillon as played by W. E. Jordan, the borough carilloneur of the Loughborough War Memorial Carillon, and tho comparative subjection of the overtones which came near to spoiling some former carillon records. Mr Jordan’s records include “Country Dance” (Nowtoun), “Fantasia on Popular Songs,” and “Spring Song” (Mendelssohn). Thero is an appealing quality and purity of tono about theso records. Highly Coloured Music. —The Londcjn Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Albert Coates, records Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Czar Sultan,” the first and second parts of Suite 111., and with an almost uncanny understanding of tho composer’s mentality has interpreted tho work with the subtlest and most sympathetic fidelity. The “Czar Sultan” was a legendary Emperor of Russia. Tho brilliant orchestral colouring is defined with extraordinary clearness.