GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 18 July 1925, Page 5

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

I li<‘ fe;uless musical expert advising a gramophone recording committer would urge, say, that Paderewski should not record .Beethoven. Lamond not i hepin, and Cortot not Schumann, while they could be so inestimably valuable m Liszt, Beethoven, and French music respectively (remarks a London reviewer), ihe big gramophone recording companies are by this time not, of course, insensible to the question i t the right man for a particular kind ot music. Ihe latest musical recruit soon gets to know that I’ach-mami stands h i t Jtopin. Lamond for Beethoven. Gerluirdt for German lieder, etc., but lemluctcrs oT tin 1 sym plion i orchestra should be studied as i arcfuily, Their instrument, is the highest vehicle of musical expression, anil through them we sometimes get a totally false impression el a great composer s i archest ral weri;. Even gramophone enthusiasts are not all yet educated in orchestral interpretation. Saint -Sacns never rose to a higher pinnacle than in “Samson et Delila." and interpreted by l.eila Megane. it appeals to lit* perfect. ''.Amour virus tinier'' is Delila's summoning of love to aid her in Samson's capitulation. The reverse curries two of Banluck s “Songs of Egypt,' (1) “Invocation of the Nile." (2) “Laiiienl of Isis." Leila .Megttne recorded excellently in the past, notably her Welsh songs, but this is by far her best record. The recording of the orchestral accompaniment, so necessary in these pieces, is really fine. The record should be here soon.

Nil- Walter Yeomans, Principal of the Gramophone Company's Education Department, Inis recently been contrasting the uses to which the ordinary domestic pianoforte is put with the value of the gramophone as a means of arousing interest in Bach and Beethoven and other great masters. Doubtless he is right in suggesting that the facilities offered by the mechanical medium are effecting a revolution which will have untold inIhieiice on the musical life of the people. The Savoy Bands naturally fail first oil a dance list. The Havana Band are famous for their waltzes, and rightly so, hut their latest “Poem" most certainly ranks high (writes a London reviewer of dance records due here soon). It is really a “classical" tune (composed by Eibieli), and receives careful treatment from these talented musicians. The cello and violin parts are really excellent. A new kind of fox trot is the popular "Alabntny Bound." by the Orphcaiis, in which they introduce new noises for the saxophone. The introduction and finale are new and quaint, hut still pleasing. 1