'Neath The Needle

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 5618, 6 April 1931, Page 9

'Neath The Needle

An Amazing Boy. After an all too long intorval, the boy violinist, Yehudi Menuhin, who has been called by Robin H. Leggc, e greatest prodigy since Mozart, lias again turned up on the records. Ono felt reluctant to go in ecstasies ovov his playing when ho made Ins debut on the gramophone, lest his first performance might only be a flash in the nan, but lator results show that he is indeed a child Paganini. Per his latest record he has chosen the Adagio from Mozart’s "Concerto in G Major and. Sarasate’s "Sarabande and Tambourin ” What ono is most astonished at is not so much his extraordinary technique as the intellectual grasp of the great music he plays and the depth of feeling with which ho expiesses it. In the smooth flowing and lovely Adagio, the playing is marked by richness and evenness of tone and real interpretative abilitv, while in the Sarusate piece the "flying staccato” passages he S brilliant ivitli the brilliantc oft . much practised senior virtuoso. The bass tones in both numbers is particularly pleasing and should not pass unnoticed. (ILM.V., D 81595.)

Peter Dawson. The Australian baritone, Peter Dawson, continues his task of reviving old Songs, and his latest record includes "Auld Lang Syne” and Ihc Miner s Dream of Home.” “Aukl Lang Syne” Ss become an integral part of our social life, and its sentiments are sincerely expressed by Dawson, who is assisted by a male quartet. Ihc hnal “to issung with great gusto. "The Miner’s Dream of Home is sung with equal success, and the male quartet again gives valuable assistance to the soloist There is a splendid orchestral accompaniment in which effects are introduced to give atmosphere to the song. (H.M.V., 83543). Rare Lyric Charm. The American tenor, Richard Crooks, who played a big-part in the recording of Sinner's "Crflciflxion,” and whose Accord*ng successes include "Ah, Moon of My Delight” and "Sweet Mystery of Life,” has given raro lyric charm to two favourite numbers from record talking picture productions. Kiom "Rio Rita,” and on the other side of the disc he sings with tenderness and sympathy, “Only a Rose” from lhe Vagabond King.” Crooks, like John ■M'Cormack, seems to be at home in any class of song, and his clear diction enhances his singing. A feature of his performance is the ring of sincerity and this adds to the expressiveness ot a voice marked by both purity and power, which can be modulated to a whisper without losing its eharacteiistie timbre. (H.M.V., DA1099).

Famous Choir. The Westminster Abbey Special Choir with Dr, E. Bullock conducting has made a record of “O Man, Thy Grievous Sin Bemoan” from tho ‘ St. Matthew Passion.” This is only one of the most moving passages . in all Bach’s religious music, and it is sung by a choir which has given many memorable performances of the composer’s music. It is a well-balanced example of choral singing, in which the boys’ voices record with a particularly pure and sweet tone. The basses are sonorous and resonant, and tho organ emerges triumphant from the trying accompaniment. The record makes one realise the high standard of singing in the English churches, and in this instance also the atmosphere of the famous Abbey seems to have been caught up as well. (H.M.V., C 2019.)

Dance Records. The following are three attractive dance records from tho H.M.V. April catalogue:—"l’m a Ding, Dong Daddy from Dumas” (fox trot), played by Johnny Johnson’s Orchestra; and "Tho One-man Band” (fox trot), played by Ted Weems’s Orchestra (EAB4O) ; "You’re Driving Mo Crazy” (fox trot), played by Rudy Valleo’s Connecticut Yankees, and "Ukulele Moon” (waltz), played by the Troubadours (EAB44) ; "An Old-Fashioned Girl” (fox trot) and "You a!ro the Melody” (fox trot), played by Wayne King’s Orchestra (EA845.) • Record of Wellington Carillon.

Tho controversy which has been raging round tho musical merits of Wellington’s War Memorial Carillon has been settled by Miss Gladys Watkins, who has reorded two pieces that should convince all of the beauty of this giant instrument. The record was made while the Carillon was in London, andthe recorders, after a great deal of experiment have boon rewarded with, singularly successful results. The tone of the bells is always clear and supplies the reason why carillon music is so popular on the Continent. Miss Watkins has chosen two well-known pieces, "The Bells of St. Mary’s” and "Annie Laurie,” and her playing shows that not only will Wellington soon have a carrillon of which it may well be proud, but it will also have a skilful and artistic carilloneuse. (H.M.V. EAB3S.) Beautiful Inspiration. Brahms’s "Alto Rhapsody,” which is a setting of three fragments from Goethe’s "Harzreise ini Winter,” as an alto solo supported by a choir of men, is one of the composer’s loveliest inspirations. "I cannot help putting it under my pillow at night so as to have it always with me,” he wrote to a friend, while to Clara Schumann it was "a marvellously intimate profoundly moving piece.” The work has been recorded by Sigrid Onegin, who has been hailed by several English critics as the finest contralto of the day ,supported by the Berlin Doctor’s Choir and the Berlin State Orchestra. It is a most melodious voice is Onegin’s, and one which moves with uncommon smoothness and regularity, sometimes aking incursions to heights often supposed to belong to the province of soprano. She gives a dignified reading of Brahms’s difficult and ■seldom heard music, and both choir and orchestra are very effective, being always resonant and well balanced. (H.M.V. D 8.1442-43.) King’s Speech Recorded.

The latest feat by tho H.M.V. Company of preserving for posterity historic occasions is the recording of the King’s speech at the opening of the Indian Round Table Conference. This great assemblage of princes, rulers and leaders in India was called together for the purpose of discussing tho future policy of the Indian Empire, and His Majesty’s speech at the opening session of 12th November, 1930, must rank as one of the important he has given since his ascension to the Throne. Ho gave a definite lead to the deliberations, and his appeal has a big influence on the subsequent discussions. The recording is very clear. His Majesty’s voice comes through strongly and with a ring of sincerity. The profits from the sale of the record are being handed over to Lady Minto’s Indian Nursing Association, at the request of the” King. (H.M.V. EB 3669.) i