GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 14 April 1928, Page 3

GRAMOPHONE NOTES

Bayreuth Wagner Festival Outclassing all oilier Columbia records recently issued tire the elev.ui electrical recordings of the Payreuth Wagner .Festival (1/20117 to l/jniti. AVapner has the world some of tin l tinesi music, ever composed, and in the little liavariau town of May ri'uth universal interest is eeiiti'ed in the great composer, for it i.- there that the. master's dramas arc presented almost without parallel. Built round the majestic march-like theme, the music in the Transformation Sei'iic' in the lirwt act of 'Parsifal', is a glorious work, and the perforniHiiee of the elilleet-ioncd Festival I Indies! ra, under Dr. Karl Muck, is remarkable. Strings, woodwinds, and basses are perfectly blended.

The '(".'mil Scour.' iu .the some i.'t of 'Parsifal' introduces the choral section. Hero, again. Mc foundation of tin- piece is tlui inaiMiaJ theme. 'lVain i\nrk. ami apparently plenteous rehear.-. >! . mm die i'.n i »! !"<*!' the i'horns anil orchestra Juno a telling effect. Towards the end oi the r.ecn'e M<- moiiri! ful passage is heard, with the roll "t the kettledrum just audible forming a background, and is particularly appealing. The finale has a soothing effect on the hearer. Delightful seems the. only word that will describe the 'Flower Maidens' Scene' in the second art. Tone and combination count, for .1 great deal in the 'Prelude' (act iii). In this recording, conducted by Seijzfricd Wagner, is heard the same uiarrhlike theme, becoming fainter and fainter as the record nelirs the end. Alexander Kipnis and Fritz Wolff, undoubtedly singers of the lirst rank, give us a line rendering of the Mood Friday music. 'Forest Murmurs,' the 'Prelude,' and the 'Fire Music' ;i!l from 'Siegfried.' are next played hy the orchestra, this time under Franz Von Hoesslin, and in the two latter the horn seems to lie a little rasping. The liquidlimed harp, however, records well, and introduces a wonderful effect. The 'Entry of (he Mods' (with Rhine daughters),* from the 'Ehinegold,' is taken a. shade slower than most recordings, but the wild, turbulent music is none the less entrancing for that. Finally the famous 'Ride of the Valkyries' (with Valkyrie chorus) is presented in a I lits magnificent splendour. String and reed work leave nothing to he desired, but again the same cannot he said of the horn. The thrilling climax to 'The Ride' of the mythical maidens brings the set of records to a glorious end. A New Backhaus When William Backhaus played in Diinedin home time ago he won for himself a throng of admirers, who can now hear the famous pianist only on record-. For H.M.V. Backhaus has played 'Moment Musieale' (Schubert * and "TraiunesM irren' (Schumann 1. with Chopin's 'Berceuse' on the reverse side.

Willi lightness ni' touch tin- pianist goes through the three short melodies. giving each ju.-t the right amount of expression, making them really hrillinin recordings. The little Schubert |iii'<-i- iiml tin- ilri'aniy Chopin 'Berceuse.' lioth well known, iln nut. require any comment.

Grenadiers in Good Form "l'li.' Two Little Finches' (concert, polka. King), mid 'Tile Lark's Fes tivnl' (Brewer I. playeil by the Band of lI.M. l.'rcnadier (.'nurds. Columbia. (i^.Vi!".

Here i> a record that gives a clue tip the reason why the (Jrenaxlier Guards' Baud is so popular with grnmophilcs. The pick of the pair on this record i- -The Lark's Festival.' given as* a piccolo solo by It. K. Howen, against an orchestral background. The reverse, however, is nearly good, being a clever cornel duet by Corporal Wesl and <.'. Regan. The tone is certainly more mellow than most recorded cornets. Reproduction is particularly good.

A Satisfying 'Cello Disc L'edric Sharpe ('cello), in 'Consolatinu' (Lis/.t. arninged Sharpe) ttiid ■Chant san- Paroles' (Tschaikowsky). 11..M.V. (I;-J1S7). gives a satisfying per forma uce, particularly in the former piece. The instrument played records well, even the '"bite" of the bow oil the strings standing mil distinctly. The. little 'Consolation' contains broadsweeping phrases and. a "cncral roinanMc i.,n.-h.

Crcalorc's Band Again In this country we hin not k'jrncd much of ihe American organisation known a: Creature's Band, except that it i.- a very good one. Brilliant and sparkling placing characterises the latest TI..M.V. (KBIT) n id of selections from -II Tn, vat ore' (Verdi) by this hand. Despite obvjom* disadvantage- "t a military hand (i jinseripiion. the work here is superior (o some ot the on iifft,,;l rond< rings issued prcvit!.tisl'/. >i a, r> ir."s about i! whii !« '« s.-nlly Inching in < l.hers, and Ihe selo and full band wort, combine in a vivid awl colourfiil interpretation. CtLMU) AfIAINST APTUMN ('MILLS Warm one day. mid 11 •. next, you « anl I" he iiini e i haii e\ n mi \ uiir guard against n,lds and chills. ('any l'ul mulias ineijicaied pastilles. 'lake llieni at the lirst. sign of a thill ur cough and you'll |,e s.nfe. Pulniona?, pleasant to lake easv io ca.-ry. 1 <Y> a,,,! £/(} til