GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 October 1926, Page 9

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

There is brightness, a lively swing, iirnl eonie good melody in songs from "Rose Mario," which Imvo just been received. These uro the title song "Rose Marie," which is recorded by Walter Howard's good, open, pleasant ■baritone, and the haunting "Indian Love Call," which Kathleen Dostournol has very capably sung for the disc. In both cases the songs have the additional embellishment of a good orchestral accompaniment-. Sow Zealand will long have a lender spot for (lie. fascinating Gladys iMoticrioff, and it, will lie news lo many that, this faviunite's line vnieo is to he heard mi the. disr. ' The Merry Widow," 'Madame, Pompadour," and "The Singer" provide her principal recordings, and it is doubtful whether there is a, better record of "The Morrv Widow" in existence than her "Vilia." Rut there are nther songs also. "One I,one Star." "I Love the, Moon," "Dark Grows the. Sky," and "Love's Cigarette" among them. All are worth hearing. One hours of Mendelssohn in many guises, but rarely as the writer of symphonies. Now, however, a record ha? been made of his ■'ltalian" Symphony, and some of the very best of (he music of this light-hearted genius is to be heard on the machine. The Aeolian Orchestra under Stanley Chappie has made the three 12-inch discs which go towards the work, and has seldom performed hotter, "[lie reproduction t? admirable, and there is never any lack of clarity and of precision. The first and second movements each get a disc lo themselves, the either two cover the remaining disc. The presto is particularly exhilaral mg.

A couple Hf really magnificent hand records, that for more reason:, than one, will appeal lo expert and amateur record collector alike, are offered by Columbia. These are by the inimitable Grenadier Guards Rami, and give selections, well-tried but ever-popular, from "Ivignletlo" ami "II Trovatore"—two parts lo each opera. Mendelssohn's delightful "Bros' Wed (ling" bracketed with Chopin's "Valse in D Kbit" form the subjects of probably the first "straight" piano duel re cord made. Columbia have the credit, and in enlisting the services nf two such accomplished players as Dorothy Folkard and .Muriel Warn©, they have, selected two whose work is most capable and dovetails perfectly. In fact, so much so that- most of the record gives the impression of one phenomenal pianiste playing. The recording is on tho pianissimo sido, but is delightfully clear and dainty.