GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6803, 5 January 1929, Page 14

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

MAGNIFICENT RECORDING OF GRIEG’S PIANO CONCERTO. “Piano Concerto in A Minor.” (Grieg) in S Parts. Played by Ignaz Friedman, Pianoforte, with orchestra conducted bv Philippe Gaubert. Columbia 02702-02705. On first playing, I had a feeling that this was the most wonderful pianoforte plus orchestral recording yet produced, and replaying it did nothing to alter this idea* Many brilliant piano recordings have been released lately, but few of them give such an effect or realism, such a richness of overtones, and such satisfying volume. From the thrilling opening to the dazzling close, this performance, both of pianoforte anr orchestra, is possibly the most magnificent recording Columbia have made. That this work is darkblue labolled should do much to further populariso thi*. the mast popular concerto of modern times. Maria Kurenko. (1) “La Danza” (ltossiui); (2) Marion —“Voyons, Manon plus do Chimercs” (Massenet); Maria Kurenko, soprano. Columbia 0-1160. Maria Kurenko's rich and flexible voice is admirably suited to Rossini’s sparkling tarantella. It is a brilliant picco of vocalism, and admirably contrasted on tho reverse side with the lovely meditative air from “Manon,” “And End to Dreams, Manon”—what a world of wistful sadness she puts into that phrase. She is a superb actress as well as singer. Percy Grainger’s “Colonial Song.” “Colonial Song” (A Song of Aus-

tralia), (Grainger) Parts 1 and 2; soprano and tenor, duet by Anita Atwater and Luis Alberto Sanchez. Columbia 03592. Grainger’s genius as a composer bids fair to equal his mastership of pianoforte technique, and he has happily turned his talent recently to producing what in later years will form part of Australia’s National music. Both orchestrally and vocally this performance is very fine. Its success is perhaps partly due to Percy Grainger’s own conducting of the work. On the whole, a record of distinct interest. “Lilac Time.” “Lilac Time”—Selection. In 2 Parts. London Theatre Orchestra. Columbia 02699. This most popular musical play is of course musically based on Sehubertian airs, and as an introduction to the immortal Franz Peter, northing could be more delightful. Tho selection is a particularly happy one—altogether ten of the loveliest excerpts are included. This should prove one of the most universally popular of the Schubert Centenary recordings (if we can call it exactly that). Anyhow, it deserves to be. Sascha Jacobsen. (1) “Berceuse” (Gabriel Faurc); Sascha Jacobsen, Violin. Col. 01147. This talented violinist is rapidly gaining fame through his undeniably fascinating playing. His presentation of these two delightful morsels provides five minutes of very real musical pleasure. This is a disc that will enjoy many playings. Negro Spirituals by Layton and Johnstone. (1) “Ev’ry Time I Feel the Spirit”; (2) “Were You Where?”—(l) by Layton and Johnstone and (2) by Turner

Layton, solo. Col. 01248. Layton’s and Johnstone’s singing of traditional negro airs is deservedly famous. The duet on the first side is particularly good, and Columbia’s electrical process of recording does wonderful justice to every tiny inflexion of voice and quality of tone. Barbara Maurel. (1) “Homing” (Del Riego and Salmon); (2) “Love’s Magic” (Grey and Twohig). Sung by Barbara Maurel,, mezzo-soprano. Columbia 01197. Here we have a concert hall artist of exceedingly high calibre. Her rich voice is vividly displayed in this well chosen couplet of songs. Barbara Maurel’s singing is always artistic, and her perfect yet seemingly,unstudied phrasing in even these two simple airs is a really-whilo object lesson to coneert platform aspirants. New Zealand’s Brilliant Tenor. (1) “TitiTorca” (A. Hill); (2) “Ha Waiata Aroha” (A. Hill); Ernest McKinley, tenor. Columbia 01062. Two more of Alfred Hill’s charming Maori ballads, sung in the same inimitable way that characterised his earlier recordings. This disc, together with “Waiata Poi,” “The Song of. the Locust,” and “Kamatc,” should undoubtedly be in everybody’s collection. James Melton of “The Singing Sophomores.” (1) “Fleur de Lis” (Green and Bloom); (2) “La Bosita” (Dupont), James Melton, tenor. Col. 01195. This disc should prove another really popular number. The two items bracketed above arc entrancing morsels, and it is much the way they are sung as the songs themselves, that will conrtibutc to the success of this release.