GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3494, 2 November 1926, Page 14

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

HINTS AND RECORDS. NEEDLE ANGLE. A good many gramophones —particularly the cheaper and lesserknown makes—have a stylus bar angle on the reproducer so sharp that the needle literally digs into and quickly ruins records. One may get volume this way, but at too great a cost. The angle is best 45 degrees, and should bo altered to this where necessary—excepting when fibre needles are used. These, call for a GO degree (7 o’clock) angle for the best results.

In any case, alteration of tho needle angle is .practically useless and hopeless if the. needle track alignment is far out. In such a case, lessening the angle saves record wear in one way only to impose it in another—by resulting in increased friction through still further mis-alignmcnt. Fortunately, most good modern instruments are as scientifically constructed as regards the correct needle angle as they are made to produce natural tone -and volume. Outstanding New Dance Records.

Ever hoard the saxophone play the guitar? If not—and one has to admit that the saxophone is astonishing enough an instrument for almost anything—one should got one of the latest and best dance numbers— Columbia’s “Drifting and Dreaming,” an unusually clover and “different” Hawaiian fox-trot' creation, played by Ted Lewis’s Band. In it, take particular note of the really wonderful imitation of the guitar, played on, by, and with the saxophone. This is a unique innovation indeed, and since the simulation almost defies detection, it is one I hat has the merit of true novelty as well.

Other up-to-date dance music “hits’ l arc “Bobadilla,” 'the recognised successor to the one and only “Valencia.” This is brilliantly played by Porcival Mackey's Band. “That Certain Party," by Ted Lewis’s Band, is one of the newcomers that will last, for it is decidedly tuneful and catchy, and wonderfully orchestrated. “T Never Know How Wonderful You Wore" is the appealing title of yet another London-New York Cabaret success well worth getting, with the Denza Dance Band at their best. All these arc to the credit of Columbia. Handers “Largo.” Handel's lovely “Largo in G" is familiar to many gramophonists, either in string or orchestral form. Columbia have, a good record of it (L If 03) played ■by the always popular New Queen’s Hall Orchestra. Sir Henry .1. Wood conducting, ft is a work that, in the hands of any considerable body of musicians, calls for an unusual sense of restraint, lor it is nothing if not a delicate and graceful specimen! of Handel's style. Coupled with if, is the inspiring and wonderfully orchestrated Coronation March from Mey- \ erbeer's “The Prophet.'*’ Four Piano Pieces. '■Most of Chopin’s’ finest works were in the shorter forms — his innumcr- I (able Nocturnes, Vaises, Preludes and ( I Btudes affording immortal instances) (of pianoforte writing that will prob-( ) ably never ho excelled. His smaller) /works usually have an exquisite tune ( \ given to the right, hand, with a) I suavely moving accompaniment in ( j the left. This is the case in the i Columbia recording oC Busoni's Chopin ptaying. This great pianist, in record number L 14 70, has chosen ! that composer’s Prelude in A Major, and Bfudc in G Flat—simple but fascinating little pieces every lover of good music will enjoy. ( On the reverse wo have Bach’s Prelude to Choral, and Beethoven's melodious and rhythmical Scotch Step. This is a quartet of piano pieces easy to enjoy over and over.