RECORDED MUSIC.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 6, 6 December 1930, Page 7

RECORDED MUSIC.

Celeste Solos.—John Firman (celeste solos), in “My Old Kentucky Home” and "The Old Folks at Home.” This is another novelty number that will prove popular.

Accordion Intrigues.—J. Fiers (accordion solos), in “Temptation Rag” and "Jealous” fox-trot. Here is another accordion recording that will set you swaying.

Christmas Dance Music.—Arcadians Dance Orchestra, in Savoy Christmas Medley, one-step, including, "The Mistletoe Bough,” "The Seven Joys,” "Jacob’s Ladder,” "Drinking,” "Uncle Tom Cobley,” "I Saw Three Ships.” Savoy Christmas Medley, fox-trot, including “Landlord, Fill the Flowing Bowl,” "Little Brown Jug,” "God Rest You Merry Gentlemen,” "Good King Wenceslas,” “Joyful- Carol,” “Christmas Bells,” "The Vicar of Bray,” "The Moon Shines Bright,” "Here We Come a Wassailing,” "The First Nowel,” “Auld Lang Syne.” There’s volume, melody, rhythm, and everything of the best in this record. Elgar’s Violin Concerto. —Once upon a time there was a cut version of the Elgar fiddle concerto available. It, however, vanished into the limbo a couple of years ago and for a while there was no recording of this most exacting of all violin works. Albert Sammons is the soloist in this new performance, and he, of course, is the ideal interpreter. Although this work was dedicated to and first performed by Kreisler, Sammons has since made it his own pet tour de force. Elgar _ himself confesses that Sammons’ is the ideal interpretation. This English violinist is without any question one of the greatest piayers of the ago; one of the ftyst five or six great contemporary masters of the violin. Sir Henry Wood and the New Queen’s Hall Orchestra provide the orchestral part of the work, and this is perhaps one of their finest achievements. Full of unforgettable beauties, this violin concerto defies a brief analysis. Perhaps the second movement will make the greatest appeal on first hearing, but there is not a moment of the entire work that will not grow more lovely with each repeated hearing.

Grand Opera Gems.—Renato Zanelli (tenor) and members of La Scala Orchestra, Milan, in "Andrea Chenier” (in Italian), Giordano; linprivviso—Un di all azzuno epazio (Gazing One Day into the Boundless Blue (Act I). Si fui Soldato (I waa a Soldier Onoe). (Act III). Renato Zanelli is considered to be one of the finest operatic artists before the public to-day, his voice and style being reminiscent of the great Tamagno. His magnificent voice and vivid interpretation of these two excerpts from "Andrea Chenier” have been splendidly recorded.

Schipa Songs.—Tito Schipa (tenor), Marechiare (Canto Napolitano) (Tosti) ; Ideale (My Ideal), (Tosti). No one could deny the charm of "Marechiare” —a Neapolitan serenade, or "Ideale” — an Italian love song. It is because they are so difficult to sing that they are neglected. Only a singer with the voice and technique of a Schipa can do justice to them.

A Rich Contralto.—Marquerita Carlton (contralto), in "A Request” (Woodforde-Finden), and “My Prayer” (Squire). Marguerita Carlton has the richness of tone and sympathetic style that the singing of ballads demands, and in these good and popular songs she is at her best.

- The Art of Singing.—The International Educational Society’s Lecture No. 75 is by Plunket Greene, author of "Interpretation in Song,” one of the finest books on singing in English, or in any language, for that matter. This lecture should be a source of inspiration to all who take singing seriously; and not only inspiration, but also real and useful help. "A Country Girl.”—The recent revival here and there of this entertaining musical play should have created a welcome for this recorded selection of “Country Girl” tunes. The Royal Air Force Band are the purveyors, and right well they purvey. There are few musical comedy band records so well done as this.