RECORDED MUSIC

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1931, Page 7

RECORDED MUSIC

COLUMBIA. Brilliant Novelty Record. The Evolution of Dixie (M. L. Lake); played by the Regimental Band of the H.M. Grenadier Guards, on Columbia DOX 202. These ‘Guards' recordings are getting better and better. ‘‘The Evolution of Dixie” traces the development of the well-known tune, "Dixie,” from its elementary state of being down to the finished treatment of f‘ Grand Opera.” The record begins .with a few wailing chords and a suggestion of tom-toms, and this gives way to a conglomeration of tunes, from which gradually emerges the principal melody. A quaint piccolo and drum duet follows (this is the "Dance Aboriginal”). Next come "Tiie Minuet,” graceful and courtly; then "Dixie of 18(53,” the treatment of which is not unlike our presentday blues. "The AValtz” in quick time, is followed by "Ragtime,” a boisterous and clever variation of "Dixie” in the early ragtime style, and concludes with a wonderful combination of "Tannhauser” Overture and "Dixie.” This magnificent concert hall recording, conducted by Captain George Miller, will give delight to all.

The B.E.C. Wireless Military Band. Carmen —Fantasia (Bizet); played by the 8.8. C. Military Baud on Columbia DOX 208. Here on one disc are almost all the finest tunes from “Carmen.” This musical dramatisation of Prosper Merime’s brilliant story lias made one of the most popular operas in the repertory, and though Bizet did not live io see its universal acceptance,“Carmen” remains, after more than half a century, an enduring monument to his genius. This - potted instrumental Torsion gives us all the colour and jvivid rhythm in a most encouraging style. Part I opens with the Overture, followed by the Habanera, with a glorious trumpet solo. The second side contains the Toreador eong {which shows off the magnificent brass section); Carmen’s Dance (prominent for the castanets); the Act IV. Entr’acte, “Here They Come” ami the Finale of the opera (giving, among other things, an unusual saxophone solo). B. Walton O’Donnell lias conducted artistically, keeping The magnificent tone colour of his band well to the front. This is a Central Hall production, notable for its strength and linesse. Concerted Grand Opera. (1) Higoletto—quartet; “Bella, figlia dell’ amore” (Verdi); (2) Lucia di Lammermoor —sextet: “Chi me frena” (Donizetti). Columbia DOX 206. Up to now a pairing of this famous quartet and equally famous sextet has meant an almost fabulous outlay lo grand opera lovers. And now that this new six-shilling disc has been released, it will be found to hold its own with all comers. The singers in

the quartet are Maria Gentile, Ebe Stignani, Alessandro Granda and Carlo Galeffi. Gentile is also the soprano in the sextet from "Lucia,” and with her are Dino Borgioli, Yanelli, Baccaloni, XessL and Mannarini; supporting the principals in this secna arc members of the La Scala Chorus of Milan. The performances are certainly masterpieces of concerted operatic singing, and such musical value in these somewhat hard times is sure of the warmest of welcomes. This may be safely ear-marked as one of the best ‘buys' of the month. Two Delightful Orchestral Gems. (1) Remlez-vous, Intermezzo Rococo (Alctter); (2) Sizilietta (F. Blon); played by Charles Prentice and his Orchestra on Columbia DO 423. A delightful light orchestral record comes from Charles Prentice and his Orchestra in two familiar pieces—-"Rendez-vous” and von Blon's "Sizilictta.” Strings .tnd woodwind stand out in these dainty morccaux, which sprang into popularity about thirty years ago. Mr Prentice is at present conducting the great London Coliseum success, "AA'hito Horse Inn.”

Marion Harris—The Rage of London,

(1) My Canary Has Uncles tinder llis Eyes (Kohler, dola and Golden); (2) Would You Like to Take a Walk? (Dixon, Hose and Warren); sung by Marion Harm on Columbia DO -100.

London’s biggest sensation just now is Marion Harris, known as the ‘ ‘ Ihousand-dollar-a-song-girl, ’ ’ and she has set society afire, with her intriguing song, “My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes.” She is the rage of London, as she is the rage of the London Cafe x de Paris and nightly her admirers demand this number and her other fascinating number, “Would You Like to Take a Walk?” in which her audience insist on joining in the hummed passages. Columbia announces Miss Harris in these selfsame songs on a new record this month, and the clever singer has put into them all the engaging vocal mannerisms that have made her such a sensation. It is a record that reveals a startlingly intimate singer with a style that ie delightfully engaging. In the record Miss Harris is accompanied by Billy Mason and bis Cafe de Paris Band, so that she is heard in the true cabaret atmosphere.

“There Ought To Be A Moonlight Saving Time. ’ ’

<inv Lombardo and his Koval Canadians are well known as a dance band on Columbia, and have just produced for Kegal a dance record with excellent tempo, entitled “There Ought lo be a Moonlight Saving Time.’’ Alter one or two playings of Him recording, one is certain to be enchanted with this item. The fascination of it grows on one each succeeding time it is played, and it looks as if it will be one of the most popular records for the next two or

three months. On the reverse side, Guv Lombardo gives us another melodious little fox-trot entitled "AVhen the Shepherd Leads the Sheep Back Home.” The number of this record is G 21086. The Midnight Revellers Again. "Come and Have a Cuddle on the Common” is a comedy fox-trot which has just been put out by Regal. It is reminiscent of "Over the Garden AVall” and "Sittin’ on a Five-bar-red Gate,” and is a very bright, cheerful little number. It is coupled with an excellent 0/8 one-step entitled "Good Friends.” Both sides are played by the Midnight Revellers, and the number is Regal G 21085, Braga’s • Serenade. (1) "Angel's Serenade” (Braga); (2) "Chant sans Paroles” (Tchaikovsky), Played by Clyde Twelvetrees, 'cellist. Columbia DOX 21.) T.welvcerees is the principal 'cellist of the great Halle Orchestra, famous throughout the world through Columbia recordings. His artistry is impeccable, and of those two sentimental morsels he makes something well worth hearing. This disc should be very popular indeed.

Dvorak ’ s “ Humoresque. ’ ’ (1) Humoresque” (Dvorak); (2) “Meditation” from “Thais” (Massenet), Played by Toscba Seidel, violinist. (Columbia DOX 2(5). it is pleasant to note that moot Columbia records of celebrity players now cost no more than the usual jazz records. Two years ago we would have had to pay twice the price for this record. Thousands will welcome this splendid recording of “Humoresque,” and its record-fellow, “Meditation,” a strong runner-up for popular favour. A Popular Waltz by the “Berlin Phil.” Orchestra. “ Koaos of the South” —Waltz (.Johann Strauss). Played by Bruno Walter and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, on Columbia I.OX "4). There is something of a .lohann Strauss revival in the air, and that it is taken seriously is attested by the fact that world-famous orchestras are using Strauss waltzes to lighten their programmes. “Hoses of the South” is quite up to the “Blue Danube” standard, and the Berlin players give it Hint peculiar rhythmic lilt that only a Continental band can hope to achieve. It is very safe to say that no more popular record by a big orchestra has been released for a very long while. Fo wonder old .lohann Strauss was the idol of hns dav!