’NEATH THE NEEDLE

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7412, 20 December 1930, Page 4

’NEATH THE NEEDLE

Graphic Tone Poem. Very graphic is Respighi’s tone poem, “Fountains of Rome,” which has been recorded by the London Symphony Orchestra. The work gives four “impressions” of different fountains at dawn, morn, midday, and sunset. Listening to them, one is assured of this : If Debussy and Stravinsky had not written “L’Aprcs Midi” and “The Fire Bird,” we should not have this symphonic poem unravelling itself on tho gramophone. Rcspihi’s debt to them is incalculable. But if lie has learned from them, he has learned well. His “pictures” of the vapoury veil from tho Julian Valley, into which a miniature procession of animals is merged, is exquisite. At the Triton fountain the water falls in jets through which naiads and tritons pursue each other. At Trevi, it is all huge jets, gaping stone mouths, with great birds wheeling above ; and at the Villa Alediei the waters ripple placidly throughout a melody on celeste and strings into the silence of the night. As for the reproduction, that is perfectly clear and forward ; and for the interprtation, tho London Symphony Orchestra, under Albert Coates,, iis almost perfect, on point of realism and finesse. (11.A1.V., D 1429-30.) Rachmaninoff.

Sorgo Rachmininoff has re-rccordcd one of his most popular discs of several years ago. He plays with his usual crispness and unapproachable rhythmic vigour the brilliant and sprightly draw-ing-room “Polka do W.R.,” composed by his father, who was a great lover of music and an amateur composer. The melody is chiefly in the right hand, and sometimes in chords, or octaves, the 'embellishments being intricate and brilliant.. The , superb precision of Rachmaninoff’s playing brings out every detail in sharp contrast.' The coupling number • is Tschaikowsky’s “Troika" is a name given in former Russia to a team of three horses harnessod abreast, the outer horses being taught to hold their heads to right and left and the centre one straight. It was a favourite winter pastime, the troika pulling a sleigh across boundless snow-covered plains. Here again Rachmaninoff gives an admirable and rhythmic performance. (H.M.Y., D 81279.)