RECORDED MUSIC

Northern Advocate, 22 January 1927, Page 9

RECORDED MUSIC

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

“THE MOONLIGHT SONATA.”

The famous Moonlight Sonata, written by Beethoven in the early days of the piano, and long before the full possibilities of this instrument had been fully exploited, is a new Columbia.. two-record issue one can truthfully term a thing of beauty and a. :,oy for ever.

It is an -amazing blend of romance and power, of tenderness and restraint, and a work never easy to play or to record well. Indeed, it seldom is played as Beethoven intended and up to the present has never received a recording worthy of its immortal reputation. The ultra modern way of capturing and releasing those sound waves we know, as music has, however, at last brought out the glories of this Sonata with extraordinary success. Howard Jones has demonstrated a phenomenal capacity to play this well-beloved work that is ahead of most of the interpretations given to it by more famous pia-.ists. Ho gels all its values without over emphasis, stagey effects or loss of sentiment, and he plays not only with exquisite skill but with a splendid understanding of tho acoustics and requirements of the recording-room. Tho result is that all the delicacy of the undulating first movement is repealed with ineffable charm, and the thunderclaps that occur in the Presto Agitato sections arc brougt scientifically within range of the recording mechanism and not allowed to develop into an incoherent mass of choked sound. |

These two records (9091-9095) stand for today’s culminating achievement in piano recording, not excepting the wonderful Chopin Sonata recently played by Percy Grainger, and they are practically guaranted to give unqualified delight to any ear showing the smallest trace of musical appreciation.

ALL SCOTCH. Scotland has given to the world many undying melodies—nearly all inherently musical, often plaintive and memory lingering, and of course, not seldom gay and lightsome. But if the air be Scotch it is unmistakable as such, whatever the vehicle of interpretation, aiuT readers will find an unusual appeal in the Columbia record entitled “The Thistle,” played by the Grenadier Guards’ Band. The numerous well known but not over-worked airs here incorporated and arranged by Winterbottom are recorded as finely as they are played, and is a. “selection” record that should find wide favour.

BRILLIANT LAYTON AND JOHNSTONE.

The public has come to expect firstclass work from Layton and Johnstone, and gladly accepts all t'hey give, through Columbia, for the reason that these duettists are essentially distinctive. Their mannerisms and characteristics are as original as Charles Chaplin’s famous walk, and originality is always a quick and sure way to public favour if only it has true merit behind it. These American vocalactors sell, in record form, more readily than practically any other couple, for whatever they put their name to is assuredly worth hearing. This time it is the well-tried “Always” and “Oh, Miss Hannah,” on record 4017, and “Then I’ll be Happy,” pins “In The Middle of the Night,” on 4024 both records being the “last word” in clearness and realistic recording.

BEETHOVEN’S SYMPHONIES. All told, an average musical stayingpower will see the “Nine,” through with far greater ease on the gramophone than would be the case with an actual orchestra in the foreground (observes a reviewer). For my own part I found the experiment rather physically refreshing than otherwise, and Milton, I believe, said big music ought rightly to work upon its servitors in this way. But it is also a real test for listener as well as composer. Indeed, there were movements, especially during the slow movements, when time hung all too heavily and the sponge Was nearly in the ring. How flabbergasting it is to have one’s wakefulness challenged, when Grove so unequivocally indicates the road of right thinking. Perhaps the finest instance (of the theme and variation) is in the Adagio of the ‘Ninth,’ in which the melody is varied first in common time, then in 12-8, with a grace, beauty, and strength which are quite unparalleled.” Doubtless this protracted movement will continue to hold the attention of its .admirers. TO FACILITATE RECORDING. An arrangement has recently been made by the H.M.V. Company with the British General Post Office, whereby the former may now take up any land lino that they require for the purpose of recording and thus an immense fillip is given to the recording actually in Kingsway Hall, the Royal Albert Hall. Kingsway Hall, the Doynl Albert Hall, and so on. PHYSICAL JERKS TO MTSIC. Wallace .Tones on two 10-inch H.M.V, dis records his “Keep Fit” system of 12 physical culture exercised for men and women. A special album offers, besides, some housing accommodation for the discs, some general hints with explanations and diagram for each