'NEATH THE NEEDLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 28 June 1930, Page 5

'NEATH THE NEEDLE

Spanish Ballet Music To a power of obtaining the subtlest orchestral effects with the simplest means, of seeing where the point is and going straight towards it the Spanish composer, de Falla, adds a sense of poetiy. In his works for orchestra, he shows clearly that he thinks of music in terms of instrumental texture; a melody or a rhythm is not a thing in itself, but something individual belonging to a particular instrument. This is strikingly shown in the Suite from the Ballet", "The ThreeCornered Hat," which is played by the New Symphony Orchestra under Dr. Malcolm Sargent. Here his mental background is strongly influenced by the dance, by the conflicting rhythms of the castanets, and the harmonic peculiarities of the guitar. The suite shows that passionate sincerity which is characteristic of all Spanish art. Dr. Sargent's reading is full of vitality and vigour, and at times the listener is whirled away in the spirit of a gay Spanish dance. The orchestra plays with enthusiasm and excellent tonal quality. Delightful Sonata Sonata in E Minor for 'Cello and Piano. Op. 38 (Brahms), played" by Beatrice Harrison • and Gerald Moore. This is very delightful, the playing is neat and precise, and the piano tone has recorded exceptionally well. There is some very effective writing in the

development section of the first movement, in which the downward arpeggio chords for the 'cello reinforce the ff chords for the piano in a remarkable manner. The second movement, in the form of a minuet and trio, with its joyous theme and fanciful trio will probably prove the favourite. ■"Merchant of Venice" Suite Roose's "Merchant of Venice" Suite stands in.the same relationship to that play as Mendelssohn's music does to the "Midsummer Night's Dream." There is no doubt that Shakespeare's theme inspire Roosc, for he has provided a truly beautiful setting to-the drama. The tender strains of the "Portia" Intermezzo, the colour of the "Oriental March," and the rhythm of the "Doge's March" are among the great things of light modern orchestral music. Pianoforte students are no doubt familiar with the pianoforte transcription of 'the is now played for the gramophone by John Barbirolli's Chamber Orchestra. The conductor shows line craftsmanship in orchestral playing, developing all the detail in beautifully shaded tone colours. Popular Hits of the Month The brightly original Jack Payne, conductor of the 8.8-C- Dance Orchestra, who has made dance record an entertainment as well as something to dance to breezes along at his best in a pair of exhilarating novelty fox-trots. The titles are "Crazy Pirouette" and "Punch and Judy Show." Lon Maurice, the popular baritone, again pleases mightily with a couple of Theme Songs from "It's a Great Life." The numbers arc "I'm Following You" and "I'm Sailing on a Sunbeam." Typically bright music, with effective orchestral accompaniments. Two snappy fox-trots are on the Ted Lewis menu this month, served up with his usual sauce and "zip." They are, "Wouldn't it be Wonderful to be in Love with You" and "I'm the Medicine Man for the Blues.". The singing is well over the average. "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo" Well, here's a record that will please everyone, from grand-dad downwards. Charlie Coboim—the original''one and only man wlvp broke the bank at Monte Carlo. Not many niusic hall items of the early 'nineties are remembered to-day, but that veteran comedian Charles Coborn reminds us that at least two- " The Man who broke the Bank" and "Two Lovely Black Eyes" are still as fresh as ever. We do not expect Coborn's voice to bd as fresh as ever, but it has aged singularly little. Few records of the month have so universal an appeal. . . , A Queen of the Music Hall Many an old Londoner will hail With delight a record by dear old Florrie: Forde, of the music hall days. She sings some of the real die-hards —here are some of them: ''Has Anybody here seen Kelly"; "Down at the old Bull and Bush"; "Oh, Oh, Antonio": "She's a Lassie from Lancashire"; and six or seven others equally famous. Florrie was the first to sing most of them, and still has * the knack of sweeping an audience along with, her, whether it's the old Tivoli packed to the "gods" or three or four of the lads, listening to this record on the "gram." Great stuff! Graceful Music . The National Symphony Orchestra has been making some valuable con'- , tributions to orchestral music lately. Only recently they gave fine recordings of the "Fra Diavolo" overture and the "Zampa" overture, and this month they have added the two light, graceful intermezzi from Wolf-Ferrari's opera, "Jewels of-the Madonna." There is a fascinating charm abou't these two pieces, which are brilliantly played. The tone of fli'e orchestra is excellent. ,/' The Ever Popular Albert Sandler Albert Sandler, brilliant violinist and leader of the celebrated orchestra of the Park Lane Hotel, London, this month makes a concert hall recording. His talented band of players give a most musicianly rendering of Elgarjs often played but yet unhackneyed "Salut D'Amour." On the reverse side is a delightful salon morsel, "For You Alone," by Geehl. Such. a pairing of titles has all the earmarks of wide popularity —and a well-deserved popularity, too. ' . ■ "Edgar Coyle . "For Ever and For Ever" v and. "Beauty's Eyes" (words by Weatherly). The first has an orchestral accompaniment. The second lias piano and 'cello. It is doubtful if songs like these will ever be written again—at least not until the Great Cycle brings round again such a combination of emotion and style. And as Tosti's songs are likely to be stone dead in another 50 or 60 years, it is well worth while hearing them once again. In most of us they recall tender memories—if nothing else. Maori Records There is a real treat in store for the lover of good singing this month. This is no less than a series of twelve records by the Rotorua Maori Choir. These records were made on the spot, at Ohinemutu, Kotorua, and they are certainly authentic in style and manner. The choir is K recruited from the Ngati Wha'ekane, a section of the famous Arawa Tribe which for generations past has devoted itself to singing. The result is obvious to anyone who listens to one of these records. The Ngati have an instinctive feeling for 'music. It may be doubted if anywhere else in the world a group of singers-has acquired such complete unity. Even the Dwi Cossacks at" their best, when they thrilled the entire world with their almost -unbelievable control of light and shadey could -hardly touch them for sheer choral loveliness. The songs are familiar to most of us. It will be the manner more than the matter —though that itself is exhilarating enough—which will excite us most in New Zealand. "E Pari Ra," Sir Apirani Ngata's famous warrior's farewell, is sung by Rotohiko Haupapa, with the choir, as also is its pairing, the war song "Haere Toriu," a heartslirring piece of work. Most of us will look down the list for "Hine E Hine,' 'that incomparable love-song. Its pairing is another love-song "Wairangi." Another popular favourite that will eagerly be sought after is "Pokarekare." It is done by the whole choir, with some charming variations, and paired with another Maori love-ditty, "Te Taniwha." There is attractive pairing of two Poi son«s, "Haere Haere Pa e Hine" and "Hoea Ea Te Waka." Other fa- ! miliar titles abound.